Hatto I facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Hatto I
Archbishop of Mainz
Church	Catholic Church
Diocese	Electorate of Mainz
In Office	891–913
Personal details
Born	c. 850
Died	15 May 913

Hatto I (born around 850, died May 15, 913) was an important leader in the Catholic Church. He served as the Archbishop of Mainz from 891 until he passed away. Mainz was a very important city in what is now Germany.

Who Was Hatto I?

Hatto came from a family in a region called Swabia. He likely studied at a monastery named Reichenau Abbey. A monastery is a place where monks live and study. He became the abbot (the head) of Reichenau Abbey in 888. He was also the abbot of another place called Ellwangen Abbey.

Becoming a Powerful Advisor

Hatto quickly became known to the German king, Arnulf of Carinthia. King Arnulf trusted Hatto a lot. He made Hatto the Archbishop of Mainz in 891. Hatto was such a loyal advisor that people called him "the heart of the king."

He led an important meeting of church leaders, called a synod, at Tribur in 895. He also traveled with King Arnulf to Italy in 894 and 895. There, he was welcomed by Pope Formosus, the head of the Catholic Church.

Guiding a Young King

When King Arnulf died in 899, Hatto took on a huge role. He became the regent (a temporary ruler) of the Empire. He also became the guardian of the young new king, Louis the Child. Hatto made sure that Louis's authority was respected, even by Arnulf's older son, Zwentibold.

During these years, Hatto also looked after his own interests. He gained control of more abbeys, like Ellwangen in 896 and Lorsch in 898.

Political Struggles and Influence

Hatto was involved in many political events. He supported the Conradines, a powerful family, in their fight against another family called the Babenbergs. This fight was for control of a region called Franconia.

After a battle in 906, Hatto helped capture Count Adalbert of Babenberg. Hatto continued to be very influential throughout Louis the Child's reign. When Louis died in 911, Hatto played a key role in choosing the next king. He helped elect Conrad of Franconia, the Duke of Franconia.

Later, there was trouble between King Conrad and Henry the Fowler, the Duke of Saxony. Some people believed Hatto was behind Conrad's actions. They thought Hatto wanted to stop Henry from gaining power in Thuringia. This was because the Archbishopric of Mainz owned a lot of land there.

Legends of Hatto's Death

Hatto died on May 15, 913. There are some interesting legends about his death. One story says he was struck by lightning. Another legend claims the devil threw him alive into the crater of Mount Etna, a volcano.

For a long time, people in Saxony remembered Hatto in different ways. Some stories about him involved cruelty and trickery.

The Mouse Tower Legend

Hatto I is connected to the famous legend of the Mouse Tower at Bingen am Rhein. This legend is also linked to another Archbishop of Mainz named Hatto II, who lived later (from 968 to 970).

Hatto II was known for building the church of St. George on Reichenau Island. He was also very generous to the Archbishopric of Mainz and to other abbeys like Fulda and Reichenau. He supported a writer named Regino, who wrote historical records.

See also

• Council of Tribur
• Southey's God's Judgement on a Wicked Bishop (a poem about a legend).