Hermann I, Landgrave of Thuringia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Hermann I, Landgrave of Thuringia |
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| Picture of Herman I in the Elisabethpsalter | |
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| Noble family | Ludovingians |
| Father | Louis II, Landgrave of Thuringia |
| Mother | Judith of Hohenstaufen |
| Born | c. 1155 |
| Died | 25 April 1217 Gotha |
| Burial | Reinhardsbrunn |
Hermann I (died April 25, 1217) was an important ruler in medieval Germany. He was the Landgrave of Thuringia and also the Count Palatine of Saxony. A landgrave was a type of count who ruled a large territory directly under the Holy Roman Emperor. A count palatine was a special count who had royal powers in his region. Hermann was the second son of Louis II, known as "the Iron." His mother was Judith of Hohenstaufen, who was the sister of the famous Emperor Frederick Barbarossa.
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Hermann's Early Life and Rise to Power
We don't know much about Hermann's early years. In 1180, he joined other rulers against Henry the Lion. Henry was a powerful duke in Saxony. Hermann and his brother, Louis III, were captured after a battle. They were released the next year.
Louis III had been given the title of Count Palatine of Saxony. This was a reward for helping the emperor. But Louis gave this important title to Hermann. Hermann made his power stronger by marrying Sophia. She was the daughter of a former Count Palatine.
Becoming Landgrave of Thuringia
Louis III died in 1190. Emperor Henry VI tried to take over Thuringia. He saw it as an empty territory belonging to the Holy Roman Empire. The Holy Roman Empire was a large group of lands in Central Europe. But Hermann stopped the emperor's plan. He successfully became the new Landgrave of Thuringia.
Hermann later joined a group of rulers against Emperor Henry VI. He was even accused of trying to murder the emperor. This was probably not true. Emperor Henry VI managed to get Hermann to leave this group. Hermann then agreed to support the emperor's plan. This plan was to unite Sicily with the Empire.
Political Changes and Crusades
Hermann joined the German Crusade of 1197. A Crusade was a religious war, usually to take back holy lands. But Hermann returned home when he heard that Emperor Henry VI had died.
After Henry VI's death, two kings fought for power in Germany. They were Philip of Swabia and Otto of Brunswick. Hermann often changed his support between them. He first supported Philip, who was the emperor's brother. But when Philip seemed to be losing, Hermann switched to Otto.
Because of this, Philip invaded Thuringia in 1204. He forced Hermann to agree to a peace deal. Hermann had to give back lands he had gained earlier. After Philip died, Otto became the recognized emperor. In 1211, Hermann joined other princes in Nuremberg. They invited Frederick of Hohenstaufen to become the new king. Frederick was already King of Sicily.
This decision led the Saxons to attack Thuringia. But Frederick arrived in Germany in 1212. His arrival saved Hermann's lands.
Family Life and Legacy
Hermann's first wife died in 1195. He then married Sophia of Wittelsbach. She was the daughter of Otto of Wittelsbach. Hermann and Sophia had four sons. Two of them, Louis IV of Thuringia and Henry Raspe, became landgraves after their father.
Hermann's oldest son, Louis, married St. Elizabeth of Hungary. She later became a saint. Hermann died in Gotha in 1217. He was buried at Reinhardsbrunn.
Hermann loved being around people who wrote and sang. Poets and singers called Minnesingers were welcome at his castle, the Wartburg. Because of this, Hermann is even featured in Richard Wagner's famous opera, Tannhäuser und der Sängerkrieg auf Wartburg.
Hermann's Children
Hermann had children with both of his wives.
With Sophia of Sommerschenburg:
- Jutta (born 1184, died 1235). She married twice.
- In 1194, she married Margrave Theodoric I of Meissen.
- In 1223, she married Count Poppo VII of Henneberg.
- Hedwig. She married Count Albert II of Weimar-Orlamünde in 1211.
With Sophia of Wittelsbach:
- Irmgard (born 1197). She married Count Henry I of Anhalt in 1211.
- Herman (born 1202, died 1216).
- Louis IV (born 1200, died 1227).
- Henry Raspe (born 1204, died 1247).
- Conrad (born 1206, died 1247). He became a Grand Master of the Teutonic Knights.
- Agnes. She married twice.
- In 1225, she married Henry "the Profane" of Babenberg.
- In 1229, she married Duke Albert I of Saxony.
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Hermann I, Landgrave of Thuringia
Ludowingians
Born: c. 1155 Died: 1217 |
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| Preceded by Louis III |
Landgrave of Thuringia 1190–1217 |
Succeeded by Louis IV |
