Liudolf, Duke of Swabia facts for kids

Liudolf (born around c. 930 – died 6 September 957) was an important person from the Ottonian dynasty. He was the duke of Swabia from 950 to 954. He is known for a big rebellion he led in 953 and 954. This rebellion caused a major problem for the growing German kingdom at the time.

Early Life and Rise to Power

Liudolf was the only son of Otto the Great. Otto was the duke of Saxony and later became the German king. Liudolf's mother was Eadgyth, who was the daughter of the English king Edward the Elder.

Otto became the German king in 936. As his oldest son and future heir, Liudolf received a very good education.

Around 939, Liudolf was promised in marriage to Ida of Swabia. Ida was the daughter of Duke Herman I of Swabia. Their marriage happened around 947 or 948. When Duke Herman died soon after, King Otto made Liudolf the new Duke of Swabia.

Liudolf was well-liked by the people of Swabia. He helped his family, the Ottonians, become even stronger in the region.

Adventures in Italy and a Big Rebellion

In 950, King Lothair II of Italy died. A man named Berengar II took over the throne. He even put Lothair's wife, Adelaide, in prison. Adelaide was also related to Liudolf's wife, Ida.

Adelaide was also the sister of King Conrad I of Burgundy, who was an ally of Liudolf's father, King Otto. So, King Otto started planning a military trip to Italy.

However, Liudolf decided to act first. In early 951, he led his Swabian army across the Alps mountains. They invaded a region in Italy called Lombardy. His father, King Otto, was not happy about this. Otto's brother, Duke Henry I of Bavaria, also thought Liudolf's trip was a problem.

Liudolf didn't get much support from the Italian nobles. He eventually had to follow his father's army, which was also coming to Italy. Liudolf's trip didn't achieve much.

When King Otto later married Adelaide, who was an important heiress from Italy, Liudolf felt his own position was in danger. He thought his father might prefer a future son with Adelaide as the next king. To show his importance, Liudolf celebrated Christmas in 951 like a king. He also made an alliance with his brother-in-law, Duke Conrad of Lorraine.

In 953, Adelaide gave birth to a son. This made Liudolf even more worried, and he started a rebellion. Even though the people of Swabia supported him, his ally Duke Conrad the Red faced problems in his own land, Lorraine.

Some people from Bavaria, led by Liudolf's uncle Duke Henry I, supported Liudolf at first. But Henry and King Otto eventually worked together to stop the rebellion. In 954, Liudolf lost his title as Duke of Swabia. Even though he made peace with his father, he never got his duchy back.

In 957, Liudolf went to Italy for a second time. Many cities quickly surrendered to him, and Berengar fled. Sadly, Liudolf died unexpectedly from a fever during his successful trip. He died on September 6 in Pombia, near Novara. He was buried in St. Alban's Abbey, Mainz.

What He Left Behind

Liudolf had a son with Ida named Otto. Otto later became duke of both Bavaria and Swabia. Liudolf's daughter, Matilda, became the head of the Essen Abbey.

Liudolf is also known for founding the city of Stuttgart in southern Germany. Some historians believe he had another daughter named Richlinde. She might have married Cuno of Öhningen. If so, their son, Conrad I, would have become Otto I's successor in Swabia in 982. This connection would link the Liudolfings and the Conradines families.

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See also

In Spanish: Liudolfo de Suabia para niños