Henry III, Duke of Limburg facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Henry III
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| Duke of Limburg and Count of Arlon | |
| Reign | 1165–1221 |
| Predecessor | Henry II |
| Successor | Waleran III |
| Born | c. 1140 |
| Died | 21 June 1221 |
| Noble family | House of Limburg |
| Spouse(s) | Sophia of Saarbrücken Adelaide of Henneberg |
| Issue | Waleran III |
| Father | Henry II |
| Mother | Matilda of Saffenberg |
Henry III (born around 1140 – died June 21, 1221) was an important ruler in medieval Europe. He was the duke of Limburg and count of Arlon. Henry ruled these lands from 1165 until his death. He was the son of Henry II and Matilda of Saffenberg.
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Henry III: A Powerful Duke
Henry III was a significant figure in the history of the Duchy of Limburg. He inherited his titles from his father, Henry II. During his time as duke, Henry III was involved in many conflicts and political events. These actions helped shape the region's future.
Early Challenges and Conflicts
In 1172, Henry III faced a major challenge. He fought against Henry the Blind, the count of Luxembourg. Henry the Blind was also allied with Baldwin V, the count of Hainaut. This conflict caused a lot of damage around Arlon. In the end, Duke Henry III lost the fight. He had to pay the count of Luxembourg for the damage he had caused.
Later, in 1183, Henry III got involved in a church matter. He supported Folmar of Karden to become the archbishop of Trier. However, the powerful emperor, Frederick Barbarossa, did not agree with this choice. This showed Henry's willingness to challenge even the emperor.
Major Battles and Alliances
Henry III was also a skilled military leader. In 1213, he faced his nephew, Henry I of Brabant, in the Battle of Steppes. Henry I of Brabant was the duke of Brabant. During this battle, Duke Henry III's army was victorious. The duke of Brabant's forces were defeated and fled the battlefield.
Henry III also played a role in the larger politics of the Holy Roman Empire. He supported Otto of Brunswick in his claim to be the king of Germany. Otto was competing against Philip of Swabia.
Supporting Otto IV
In 1214, Henry III fought for Otto of Brunswick at the Battle of Bouvines. This was a very important battle in European history. Interestingly, Henry's own son, Waleran, fought on the opposing side. Waleran supported King Philip II of France. This shows how complicated alliances could be during this period.
Family and Legacy
Henry III was married to Sophia of Saarbrücken. She was the daughter of Simon I of Saarbrücken, a powerful count. Henry and Sophia had a son named Waleran III. Waleran later became the duke of Limburg after his father's death. Henry III passed away on June 21, 1221, leaving his duchy to his son.
