Adalbero, Duke of Carinthia facts for kids

Adalbero of Eppenstein (born around 980, died November 28, 1039) was an important leader in medieval Europe. He was the Duke of Carinthia and the Margrave of Verona. He held these important titles from about 1011 or 1012 until 1035.

Adalbero's Early Life and Family

Adalbero was the son of Count Markward of Eppenstein. His father was a powerful count in Bavaria. Markward was also the Margrave of Styria. A margrave was a military commander who protected the borders. Adalbero took over his father's role as Margrave of Styria around the year 1000.

Adalbero married a woman named Beatrix. She was likely the daughter of Duke Herman II of Swabia. This marriage connected Adalbero to important families. Beatrix was also related to the future Emperor Conrad II.

Becoming Duke of Carinthia

In 1011, Duke Conrad I died. The German king, Henry II, then gave Adalbero the title of Duke of Carinthia. This was a very large and important area. It included regions like the March of Carniola and the March of Verona.

Duke Conrad I had a young son named Conrad the Younger. Because Conrad the Younger was still a child, he could not become duke. This made him very unhappy. He grew up to be a strong rival to Adalbero.

Adalbero and the Emperors

The ruling family of the Holy Roman Empire changed in 1024. Emperor Henry II died, and Conrad II became the new emperor. Adalbero tried to have a good relationship with the new emperor. He even served as the emperor's "swordsman" at a meeting in Frankfurt in 1027. He also attended the coronation of Conrad's son, Henry III, in 1028.

However, things changed. In 1035, Emperor Conrad II decided to remove Adalbero from his positions. Adalbero was forced to give up all his titles and lands.

Losing His Titles and Final Years

Even though Adalbero was removed, some powerful people disagreed with the emperor's decision. Bishop Egilbert of Freising advised the princes not to accept it. But Adalbero still lost his duchy. The position of Duke of Carinthia remained empty for a while.

Adalbero was very angry about losing his power. He started a violent campaign against the emperor's supporters in Carinthia. During this time, he killed Count William of Friesach. Count William was the husband of Saint Hemma of Gurk.

Eventually, Adalbero had to retreat. He went to his mother's estates in Ebersberg, Bavaria. He died there in 1039.

Adalbero's oldest son, Markward IV, kept the family's large estates in Carinthia. Markward's sons, Liutold and Henry, later became Dukes of Carinthia themselves. They ruled from 1077 to 1122.

Adalbero's Family

Adalbero married Beatrix of Swabia. She died on February 23, after 1125. She was likely a daughter of Duke Herman II.

Their children included:

• Markward IV of Eppenstein (died 1076): He was the father of Liutold of Eppenstein and Henry of Eppenstein. Both of his sons later became Dukes of Carinthia.
• Adalbero of Eppenstein: He became the Bishop of Bamberg from 1053 to 1057.
• Willibirg (?): She married Margrave Ottokar I of Styria.

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See Also

In Spanish: Adalberón de Eppenstein para niños