Frederick II, Duke of Swabia facts for kids

Frederick II (born 1090, died 1147) was a powerful German noble. He was known as "the One-Eyed." Frederick was the Duke of Swabia from 1105 until he died. He belonged to the important Hohenstaufen family. His younger brother, Conrad, later became the King of the Romans in 1138.

Frederick II: A Powerful Duke

Frederick II was a very important duke in medieval Germany. He helped his family, the Hohenstaufens, become one of the most powerful families in the Holy Roman Empire. His life was full of battles and political struggles.

Early Life and Rise to Power

Frederick II was the oldest son of Duke Frederick I of Swabia. His mother was Agnes of Waiblingen. She was the daughter of Emperor Henry IV.

Frederick became Duke of Swabia in 1105 after his father passed away. He worked with his brother Conrad to expand their family's lands. They built many castles along the Rhine river and in the Alsace region.

Supporting the Emperor

Frederick often helped King Henry V. In 1108, he joined Henry V on a military trip against the King of Hungary. In 1110, Frederick went with Henry V to Italy. There, Henry V was crowned Emperor by the Pope.

When Emperor Henry V went on another trip to Italy in 1116, he made Frederick and Conrad regents. This meant they ruled Germany in his place. They even stopped a revolt by Archbishop Adalbert of Mainz.

Around 1120, Frederick married Judith. She was the daughter of Duke Henry IX of Bavaria. Her family, the House of Welf, was very powerful. Their first son, Frederick, was born in 1122. He would later become a famous emperor.

The Salian War of Succession

In 1125, Emperor Henry V died without any children. This meant his family, the Salian dynasty, ended. Frederick II, who was Henry's nephew, wanted to become the next King of the Romans. He had the support of his brother Conrad and other noble families.

However, Frederick lost the election to Lothair II, a duke from Saxony. Frederick first accepted Lothair as king. But he refused to give up the lands that belonged to the Salian family. These lands were along the Middle Rhine river.

At a meeting in Regensburg in 1125, King Lothair demanded that Frederick give up these lands. When Frederick refused, Lothair declared him an outlaw. This started a conflict between Frederick and Lothair.

Lothair's forces took over some Hohenstaufen lands. But an attack on Frederick's main territory in Swabia failed. Lothair also tried to capture Nuremberg in 1127 but failed. Frederick broke the siege and got help from his brother Conrad. During these fights, Frederick lost an eye. This meant he could no longer become king of Germany.

In December 1127, Conrad declared himself King of the Romans. Frederick II then took over the city of Speyer. Lothair's supporters, however, started winning more battles. Speyer (1129), Nuremberg (1130), and Ulm (1134) were captured.

Frederick's first wife, Judith of Bavaria, died in 1130. He married his second wife, Agnes of Saarbrücken, around 1132. She was related to Archbishop Adalbert, Frederick's old enemy.

After Lothair was crowned emperor in 1133, Frederick was surrounded by his enemies. He finally gave up and made peace with Emperor Lothair in 1135. Lothair agreed to stop attacking the Hohenstaufen family.

Later Years and Legacy

Emperor Lothair died in 1137. Frederick's brother Conrad was then elected King of the Romans. Frederick supported his brother in new conflicts with the Welf family.

Frederick was known as a very loyal knight and a helpful friend. He fought bravely to protect the honor of the kingdom.

Duke Frederick II died in 1147 in Alzey. He was buried at the Walburg Abbey in Alsace. His son, also named Frederick, became the next Duke of Swabia. This son was later elected German king in 1152 and became known as Frederick Barbarossa.

Family and Children

Frederick II had children with two wives.

With Judith of Bavaria (died 1131):

• Frederick III Barbarossa (1122–1190): He became Duke of Swabia and later the Holy Roman Emperor as Frederick I.
• Bertha of Lorraine (1123–1195): She married Matthias I, Duke of Lorraine.

With Agnes of Saarbrücken (died around 1147):

• Conrad of Hohenstaufen (1134/1136-1195): He became the Count Palatine of the Rhine.
• Jutta (1135–1191): She married Louis II, Landgrave of Thuringia.

Images for kids

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  Frederick II with his coat of arms, illustration of Rauchbeinchronik manuscript, created c. 1600