Otto II, Duke of Swabia
Encyclopedia
Otto II was Count Palatine of Lotharingia
(1034–1045), then Duke of Swabia
(1045–1047), and all the while Count in Deutz
and Auelgau (1025–1047). He was the son of Ezzo and Matilda
(a daughter of the Emperor Otto II), and a member of the Ezzonian dynasty
. He was also the protector (Vogt
) of Brauweiler Abbey
, which had been founded by his parents.
In 1034, Otto's father, the Count Palatine Ezzo, died. As Otto's older brother Liudolf
had died in 1031, he succeeded his father as Count Palatine. On 7 April 1045, Henry III
, King of Germany and also Duke of Swabia, offered the latter title to Otto. In exchange, Otto gave up the County Palatine, which was bestowed on his cousin Henry. Also, his territories in Kaiserswerth and Duisburg
devolved onto the crown.
, and secondly Otto of Nordheim
. Another daughter, Hildegarde, married Frederick von Büren, and they were the parents of Frederick I
.
In 1047, Otto died unexpectedly at his castle, the Tomburg, while preparing an imperial campaign against an invasion of Baldwin V of Flanders. He is buried in Brauweiler Abbey. In 1048, the Emperor elected Otto III
to succeed him as Duke of Swabia.
Count palatine
Count palatine is a high noble title, used to render several comital styles, in some cases also shortened to Palatine, which can have other meanings as well.-Comes palatinus:...
(1034–1045), then Duke of Swabia
Duke of Swabia
The following is a list of Dukes of Swabia in southwest Germany.Swabia was one of the five stem duchies of the medieval German kingdom, and its dukes were thus among the most powerful magnates of Germany. The most notable family to hold Swabia were the Hohenstaufen, who held it, with a brief...
(1045–1047), and all the while Count in Deutz
Deutz
There are multiple topics for Deutz* Deutz, Cologne, a former town, since 1888 a quarter of Cologne, Germany* Deutz AG, a diesel-engine manufacturer based in Cologne, Germany* Deutz-Fahr and Deutz-Allis, an agricultural equipment company....
and Auelgau (1025–1047). He was the son of Ezzo and Matilda
Matilda of Germany (979–1025)
Matilda of Germany or Matilde of Saxony Was the third daughter of Otto II, Holy Roman Emperor and his wife Empress Theophanu.- Life :...
(a daughter of the Emperor Otto II), and a member of the Ezzonian dynasty
Ezzonen
The Ezzonids were a dynasty of Lotharingian stock dating back as far as the ninth century. They attained prominence only in the eleventh century, through marriage with the Ottonian dynasty of Holy Roman Emperors. Named after Ezzo, Count Palatine of Lotharingia from 1015 to 1034, they dominated the...
. He was also the protector (Vogt
Vogt
A Vogt ; plural Vögte; Dutch voogd; Danish foged; ; ultimately from Latin [ad]vocatus) in the Holy Roman Empire was the German title of a reeve or advocate, an overlord exerting guardianship or military protection as well as secular justice...
) of Brauweiler Abbey
Brauweiler Abbey
Brauweiler Abbey is a former Benedictine monastery located at Brauweiler, now in Pulheim near Cologne, North Rhine-Westphalia, in Germany....
, which had been founded by his parents.
In 1034, Otto's father, the Count Palatine Ezzo, died. As Otto's older brother Liudolf
Liudolf of Lotharingia
Liudolf of Lotharingia, also Ludolf , was Count of Zutphen and Waldenburg.He was born in Saxony about 1000, the eldest son of Ezzo, Count Palatine of Lotharingia, and his wife Matilde of Germany, daughter of the Emperor Otto I...
had died in 1031, he succeeded his father as Count Palatine. On 7 April 1045, Henry III
Henry III, Holy Roman Emperor
Henry III , called the Black or the Pious, was a member of the Salian Dynasty of Holy Roman Emperors...
, King of Germany and also Duke of Swabia, offered the latter title to Otto. In exchange, Otto gave up the County Palatine, which was bestowed on his cousin Henry. Also, his territories in Kaiserswerth and Duisburg
Duisburg
- History :A legend recorded by Johannes Aventinus holds that Duisburg, was built by the eponymous Tuisto, mythical progenitor of Germans, ca. 2395 BC...
devolved onto the crown.
Marriage and children
Otto married a daughter of Hugh VI, Count of Egisheim. He had a daughter, Richeza (Holland, 1020–1083), who married firstly Herman, Count of WerlWerl
Werl is a town located in the district of Soest in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany.-Geography:Werl is easily accessible because it is located between the Sauerland, Münsterland, and the Ruhr Area...
, and secondly Otto of Nordheim
Otto of Nordheim
Otto of Northeim was Duke of Bavaria from 1061 until 1070. He was one of the leaders of the Saxon revolt against Emperor Henry IV....
. Another daughter, Hildegarde, married Frederick von Büren, and they were the parents of Frederick I
Frederick I, Duke of Swabia
Frederick I von Staufen was Duke of Swabia from 1079 to his death. He was the first ruler of Swabia from the House of Hohenstaufen, and was the builder of dynasty's ancestral Hohenstaufen Castle near Göppingen.-Parents:...
.
In 1047, Otto died unexpectedly at his castle, the Tomburg, while preparing an imperial campaign against an invasion of Baldwin V of Flanders. He is buried in Brauweiler Abbey. In 1048, the Emperor elected Otto III
Otto III, Duke of Swabia
Otto III , called the White and known as Otto of Schweinfurt, was the margrave of the Nordgau and duke of Swabia . He was the son of Henry of Schweinfurt, margrave of the Nordgau, and Gerberga of Henneberg...
to succeed him as Duke of Swabia.