Dietrich of Haldensleben, Margrave of the Nordmark facts for kids

Dietrich of Haldensleben (also known as Theoderich or Theodoric) was an important count who became the first Margrave of the Northern March. He held this powerful position from 965 until 983. A margrave was a special kind of count who ruled a border area, protecting it from enemies. Dietrich was also called a dux, which means duke, in old writings. He died on August 25, 985.

Who Was Dietrich of Haldensleben?

Dietrich was the ancestor of a noble family from Haldensleben in a region called Eastphalia. He might have been the son of Count Wichmann the Elder and Frederuna. Frederuna was the sister of Queen Matilda, who was a very important royal figure. Dietrich owned a lot of land near the Elbe and Saale rivers.

Supporting the King

Dietrich was a loyal supporter of the Ottonian dynasty, the ruling family of Germany at the time. In 953, he helped King Otto I when the king's son, Duke Liudolf, rebelled.

Dietrich also fought against the Polabian Slavs, who lived on the eastern edge of his lands. Even though he didn't always win these battles, King Otto I trusted him. After Otto became Holy Roman Emperor in 962, he gave Dietrich a very important job.

Becoming a Margrave

In 965, a powerful margrave named Gero died. His large border territory, called the Marca Geronis, was split up. Otto I then appointed Dietrich as the first Margrave of the Northern March. This was the largest part of Gero's former territory, located beyond the Elbe River. As margrave, Dietrich was in charge of defending this border region and expanding the kingdom's influence.

Challenges and Conflicts

Dietrich was known as a very strict ruler. He worked with Archbishop Adalbert of Magdeburg to spread Christianity among the local Slavic people. He was also involved in a conflict that led to the death of a rival, Gero, Count of Alsleben.

In 983, the Slavic Lutici and Hevelli tribes rebelled in what is known as the Great Slav Rising. They attacked the lands of the eastern bishoprics of Havelberg and Brandenburg. Many people in these areas returned to their old pagan beliefs. Because of this uprising, Dietrich lost his position as margrave in the same year.

Even after losing his march, Dietrich remained an important figure. He later served as a Saxon general and supported the young King Otto III. He helped Otto III against Henry the Wrangler, who was trying to claim the throne.

Dietrich died on August 25, 985.

Dietrich's Family

Dietrich was married, but his wife's name is not known. They had several children:

• Bernard I (who lived from 1009 to 1018) was the father of Bernard II, who also became a Margrave of the Nordmark.
• Oda of Haldensleben married Mieszko I, who was the Duke of Poland.
• Mathilda von Haldensleben married a local chieftain named Pribislaw.
• Thietberga married Dedo I, who was a count.

After Dietrich lost his title in 983, Lothar I became the Margrave of the Nordmark. Later, in 1009, Dietrich's son Bernard I took over the role of margrave.