Henry of Kalden facts for kids
Henry of Kalden (born around 1175 – died after 1214) was an important official and knight who worked for several German kings and Holy Roman Emperors. These included Henry VI, Philip, Otto IV, and Frederick II. He was known for his loyalty and his skills as a military leader.
Life of Henry of Kalden
Henry of Kalden was likely the son of Henry III Testa of Pappenheim. His family, the Pappenheims, were very important. They had a special job called the Imperial Marshal, which was passed down from father to son since about 1100. This job meant they were in charge of the emperor's army and household. Henry Testa was a leader in the Third Crusade, a big religious war. He also served Emperor Frederick Barbarossa and his son, Henry VI.
Early Years and Crusades
Henry Testa joined Emperor Henry VI's trip to the Sicilian kingdom in 1190-1191. This was because Henry VI had married a Norman princess named Constance, and he wanted to claim Sicily. They tried to capture the city of Naples, but it was too hot, and many soldiers got sick. So, they had to leave. Henry Testa then went back to Germany and probably died in 1191.
Henry of Kalden took over his father's important job as Imperial Marshal. In 1194, Emperor Henry VI finally managed to take control of Sicily, and Henry of Kalden was with him. Later, in 1197, Henry of Kalden was sent to Catania in Sicily. There, he and another leader named Markward von Annweiler defeated a large army of Sicilian nobles. They took over the city and captured its bishop.
Henry also helped lead the Crusade of 1197. He took the emperor's army to a city called Acre. However, the German princes there didn't want him as their leader. They chose Duke Henry of Brabant instead. Soon after, they heard that Emperor Henry VI had died. This meant the crusaders had to return to Germany to protect their own lands and titles.
Loyalty and Changing Sides
Henry of Kalden remained very loyal to the Hohenstaufen family, who were the emperors. After Henry VI died, Henry of Kalden served his brother, Duke Philip of Swabia. Philip was fighting for the throne against another powerful prince, Otto IV. Henry of Kalden helped Philip in battles and in talks with Pope Innocent III.
However, in 1208, Philip was sadly murdered by a noble named Otto VIII of Wittelsbach. Henry of Kalden was given special permission by the Pope to find Otto and get revenge for his master's death. Henry did find Otto and killed him.
After this, Henry of Kalden accepted the new situation. He joined the side of Emperor Otto IV, who had just been crowned. Henry became one of Otto's closest advisors. He even helped arrange Otto's marriage to Philip's daughter, Beatrice.
But things changed again. In 1212, Henry VI's son, Frederick II, was crowned emperor. Otto IV's power weakened, and Henry of Kalden decided to return to the Hohenstaufen family's side. He was last mentioned in official papers in 1214.
