- AKA: Henry the Fowler (Heinrich der Vogler)
- 919-936: King of East Francia
- 912-936: Duke of Saxony
- 933: Victor in Battle of Riade
- Founder: Ottonian dynasty
Heinrich der Vogler von Sachsen, Herzog von Sachsen, Ostfränkischer König, was born 876 in Memleben, Saxony-Anhalt, Germany to Otto I von Sachsen (836-912) and Hedwige de la Marche (?-903) and died 2 July 936 Memleben, Saxony-Anhalt, Germany of unspecified causes. He married Witwe Hatheburg (?-?) 906 JL .
Biography[]
Henry the Fowler, also known as Henry I, was a significant figure in the early medieval history of Germany. He was born around 876 (exact date uncertain) and died on July 2, 936. Henry was the Duke of Saxony and the founder of the Ottonian dynasty, which played a vital role in shaping the future Holy Roman Empire.
Henry the Fowler earned the epithet "the Fowler" (German: "Heinrich der Vogler") due to his passion for falconry and his skill as a falconer. Falconry, the art of training and hunting with birds of prey, was a popular pastime among the nobility during the medieval period. Henry was known for his expertise in this sport and his deep affinity for falcons.
Here are the key aspects of Henry the Fowler's life and reign:
Early Life:[]
Henry was born into the noble family of the Liudolfings, who ruled the Duchy of Saxony. His father was Duke Otto the Illustrious, and his mother was Hedwiga, a member of the Saxon noble family. Henry inherited the Duchy of Saxony from his father in 912.
Consolidation of Power:[]
During the early years of his reign, Henry faced internal conflicts and challenges to his authority. He successfully consolidated his power by suppressing rebellions and asserting his control over various regions within Saxony. His military prowess and political acumen helped him establish himself as a powerful ruler.
Defense against External Threats:[]
One of Henry's most significant achievements was defending the eastern frontier of East Francia (a precursor to the Kingdom of Germany). He faced constant invasions and raids by Magyars (Hungarians), Vikings, and Slavic tribes. Henry organized a strong defense system that combined well-trained armies and strategically built fortifications. He introduced new military tactics, such as the use of heavy cavalry, to counter the invading forces effectively.
933 Battle of Riade and the Rise of the Ottonian Dynasty:[]
In 933, Henry achieved a decisive victory in the Battle of Riade against a coalition of rebellious German nobles and Slavic tribes. This victory secured his position as the dominant ruler in the region. Henry's military successes, along with his political and diplomatic efforts, laid the foundation for the Ottonian dynasty's rise to power.
Recognition as King:[]
In 919, after the death of King Conrad I, Henry was elected as the King of East Francia by the German nobility. His election marked the transition from the Carolingian dynasty to the Ottonian dynasty. Henry's coronation as king strengthened his position as the preeminent ruler of the region and expanded his influence beyond Saxony.
Importance of Henry's Rule:[]
Henry the Fowler's reign was a turning point in German history. His efforts to defend the eastern frontier established a stable and secure kingdom, creating favorable conditions for the subsequent expansion and development of Germany. He laid the groundwork for the Holy Roman Empire, which his son Otto I later founded.
Legacy:[]
Henry the Fowler is often considered the founder of the Ottonian dynasty and one of the key figures in the early medieval history of Germany. His reign set the stage for the rise of the Holy Roman Empire and the political and cultural developments of the medieval period in Central Europe.
Family[]
As the first Saxon king of East Francia, Henry was the founder of the Ottonian dynasty. He and his descendants ruled East Francia, and later the Holy Roman Empire, from 919 until 1024.
Henry had two wives and at least six children:
1st Marriage: Hatheburg[]
With Hatheburg:[1]
- Thankmar (908–938)[1] – Thankmar was Henry's eldest son and heir. However, he later became involved in several rebellions against his half-brother Otto I, which resulted in his death in 938.
2nd Marriage: Matilda of Ringelhelm[]
With Matilda:[1] also known as Saint Matilda, was Henry's second wife and the most well-known among his spouses. They had five children:
- Hedwig (910–965)[1] – wife of West Francia's powerful Robertian duke Hugh the Great, mother of Hugh Capet, King of West Francia
- Otto I (912–973)[1] – Duke of Saxony, King of East Francia and Holy Roman Emperor. In 929 Henry married Otto to Eadgyth, daughter of Edward the Elder, King of Wessex. One of his son was Prince (dux) Slavník, from an unknown mother, he founded the Slavník dynasty, from this dynasty comes the later noble family of Lehoczky. Otto succeeded his father as the King of East Francia and later became the Holy Roman Emperor. He is considered one of the most influential rulers in German history.
- Gerberga (913–984)[1] – wife of (1) Duke Gilbert of Lotharingia and (2) King Louis IV of France
- Henry I (919–955) – Henry was the Duke of Bavaria[2] and also played a significant role in the politics of the time.
- Bruno (925–965)[1] – Archbishop of Cologne and Duke of Lotharingia and regent of West Francia. Bruno, later known as Saint Bruno, he played a significant role in religious matters.
Children
| Name | Birth | Death | Joined with |
| Thankmar von Sachsen (c903-938) | 903 | 28 August 938 | |
Siblings[]
| Name | Birth | Death | Joined with |
| Thankmar von Sachsen (?-bef912) | |||
| Liudolf von Sachsen (?-bef912) | |||
| Heinrich von Sachsen (876-936) | 876 Memleben, Saxony-Anhalt, Germany | 2 July 936 Memleben, Saxony-Anhalt, Germany | Witwe Hatheburg (?-?) Matilda von Ringelheim (c895-968) |
| Oda von Sachsen (?-952) | Zwentibold (870-900) Gérard I de Metz (-910) | ||
| Luitgard von Sachsen (?-923) | 923 | ||
| Irminburg von Sachsen (?-bef936) | |||
See Also[]
- Heinrich von Sachsen
- Frederick Barbarossa Family Ancestry
- House of Hohenstaufen
- Holy Roman Emporer
- Charlemagne Family Ancestry
- Salian dynasty
- Ottonian dynasty
Bibliography[]
- Bachrach, David S. (2012). Warfare in Tenth-Century Germany. The Boydell Press.
- Bachrach. David S. "Restructuring the Eastern Frontier: Henry I of Germany, 924–936," Journal of Military History (Jan 2014) 78#1 pp 9–36
- Barraclough, Geoffrey, ed (1961). Studies in Mediaeval History:Mediaeval Germany. II. Essays. Basil Blackwell.
- Bernhardt, John W. (2002). Ininerant Kingship & Royal Monasteries in Early Medieval German, c. 936–1075. Cambridge University Press.
- Frischauer, Willi (1953). Himmler, the Evil Genius of the Third Reich. Odhams.
- Kersten, Felix (1957). The Kersten Memoirs: 1940–1945. Macmillan.
- von Holtzmann, Robert (1935). Thietmari Merseburgensis Episcopi Chronicon. Weidmannsche Buchhandlung. http://www.dmgh.de/de/fs1/object/goToPage/bsb00000689.html?pageNo=21.
- Janssen, Karl-Heinz (2000). "Himmlers Heinrich(German)". Die Zeit. http://pdf.zeit.de/2000/43/Himmlers_Heinrich.pdf.
- Krofta, Kamil (1957). "Bohemia to the Extinction of the Premyslids". The Cambridge Medieval History: Victory of the Papacy. VI. Cambridge University Press.
- Leyser, Karl (1982). Medieval Germany and Its Neighbours 900–1250 (1st ed.). The Hambledon Press.
- Poole, Austen Lane (1926). "Germany: Henry I and Otto the Great". The Cambridge Medieval History. III. Cambridge University Press. pp. 179–203.
- Steinberg, S. H. (2014). A Short History of Germany. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 978-1-107-66016-8. https://books.google.com/books?id=hFcHAwAAQBAJ&pg=PA5.
External Links[]
- wikipedia:en:Henry the Fowler
- Henry the Fowler, Geni.com, https://www.geni.com/people/Henry-I-The-Fowler-king-of-Germany/6000000000444676198, retrieved 22 June 2023
- Ancestry of Kings of Germany, fmg.ac, https://fmg.ac/Projects/MedLands/GERMANY,%20Kings.htm, retrieved 22 June 2023
- Henry the Fowler at thePeerage
Royal Succession Chart[]
Heinrich von Sachsen (876-936) Born: 876 Died: 2 July 936
| ||
| Regnal titles | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Conrad the Younger |
King of East Francia 919–936 |
Succeeded by Otto I |
| Preceded by Otto the Illustrious |
Duke of Saxony 912–936 | |
Contemporary Sources[]
The best and earliest sources about the life of Henry the Fowler come from contemporary or near-contemporary chronicles and annals. These sources provide valuable insights into his reign and accomplishments. Here are some of the most important early sources:
- Widukind of Corvey's Res gestae Saxonicae (Deeds of the Saxons): Widukind, a Saxon monk, wrote the Res gestae Saxonicae in the late 10th century. Widukind's work covers the history of the Saxon people, including the reign of Henry the Fowler. Although not contemporaneous with Henry, Widukind drew on earlier sources and had access to oral traditions, making his account a valuable early source on Henry's life.
- Annales Fuldenses (Annals of Fulda): The Annales Fuldenses is a series of annals compiled by scholars in the Abbey of Fulda. These annals cover the period from the 8th to the 9th century and provide accounts of events in East Francia, including the reign of Henry the Fowler. Although not solely focused on Henry, they offer valuable contemporary information on his activities and achievements.
- Thietmar of Merseburg's Chronicon (Chronicle): Thietmar of Merseburg was a bishop and chronicler who wrote his Chronicon in the early 11th century. Thietmar's chronicle covers the history of East Francia and provides important details about the reign of Henry the Fowler. Thietmar had access to earlier sources and possibly oral traditions, making his work a valuable early account.
- Liutprand of Cremona's Antapodosis: Liutprand of Cremona, an Italian bishop and diplomat, wrote the Antapodosis in the 10th century. Although primarily focused on Italian politics, the work includes information about Henry the Fowler and his diplomatic relations with Italy. While not a contemporary source, Liutprand's firsthand experiences and interactions with Henry provide valuable insights into his life.
References[]
- ^ a b c d e f g Bernhardt 2002, p. table 1.
- ^ Barraclough 1961, p. 76.
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