Hermann Billung facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Hermann Billung
Margrave of the Billung March
Reign	936–973
Successor	Bernard I (as Duke of Saxony)
Born	c. 900/912
Died	(973-03-27)27 March 973 Quedlinburg
Spouse	Oda Hildegarde of Westerburg
House	House of Billung
Father	Billung von Stubenskorn
Mother	Ermengarde of Nantes

Hermann Billung was an important leader in the early history of Germany. He lived from about 900 or 912 to 973. Hermann was a margrave, which was a special kind of count who protected border areas. He ruled the Billung March, a region in northern Germany, from 936 until he died.

Hermann was the first major leader from the Billung family in Saxony. He was a very trusted helper of Emperor Otto I. Even though Otto was the official Duke of Saxony, Hermann often managed the region for him. This was especially true when Otto was away in Italy for many years. By the end of his life, Hermann was like the duke, even if he didn't officially have the title.

Hermann died in 973. His son, Bernard I, took over his important role. Bernard was officially named the Duke of Saxony by Otto I's son, Otto II.

Hermann's Early Life

Hermann was likely the son of a man named Billung. He had an older brother, Wichmann the Elder. Hermann is often seen as the first true duke of Saxony from the Billung family. However, his exact title was a bit complicated.

The royal family, called the Ottonian dynasty, had become kings of Germany. This meant they had to focus on ruling the whole country. So, they needed strong leaders to manage different regions. In 961, when King Otto I went to Italy, he made Hermann the main administrator for his lands in Saxony.

Becoming a Margrave

In 936, King Otto I became king. He gave Hermann the title of margrave. This meant Hermann was in charge of a border area north of the Elbe River. This area was called the Billung March. It stretched from the Limes Saxoniae (an old border) to the Peene River. This land is now roughly the Mecklenburg region.

Otto chose Hermann even though Hermann's older brother, Wichmann, thought he should have gotten the job. Wichmann later joined a rebellion against King Otto, but it failed. Hermann had more power than other margraves at the time. He even collected payments from the local Slavic tribes, like the Obotrites.

Growing Power in Saxony

When his brother Wichmann died in 944, Hermann also became a count in the Bardengau area. This region was around the city of Lüneburg. Hermann started a monastery there called St Michael. Again, he didn't share this power with his nephews, Wichmann the Younger and Egbert the One-Eyed.

In 953, these nephews joined a big rebellion led by King Otto's younger brother, Liudolf. This rebellion only ended because a large army from Hungary invaded. During this difficult time, King Otto started to give Hermann more and more power in Saxony. This happened especially when Otto was away. But Hermann was never officially called "duke" in royal papers. Instead, he was known as a military leader, count, and margrave.

Hermann's position became even stronger after King Otto was crowned Holy Roman Emperor in Rome in 962. In 972, Hermann was even welcomed like a king by the Archbishop of Magdeburg. This even surprised the Emperor. Hermann might have also founded the town of Hermannsburg.

Hermann died in Quedlinburg in 973. His son, Bernard, took over his father's strong position. Bernard was eventually recognized as the Duke of Saxony.

Hermann's Family

Hermann Billung might have been married twice. Records from St Michael's Abbey in Lüneburg mention a Countess Oda who died after 973. Other records say "Ode," the wife of Duke Hermann, died on the same day. She was probably related to the royal Ottonian family. Another wife, Hildegard of Westerburg, is also mentioned. However, it's not clear how she relates to Oda. The name of Hermann's granddaughter, Oda of Meissen, suggests that Oda was the mother of his children.

Hermann had five children:

• Bernhard I (died 1011), who became Duke of Saxony.
• Liutger (died 1011), who was buried in Lüneburg. He married Emma of Lesum.
• Suanhilde (born between 945 and 955, died 1014). She married Thietmar I and later Ekkehard I.
• Mathilde (born between 935 and 945, died 1008). She married Balduin III, Count of Flanders and later Gottfried der Gefangene.
• Imma (died 995), who was an abbess (head of a convent) at Herford.