Luitpold, Margrave of Bavaria facts for kids

Death of Luitpold in the Battle of Pressburg (Wilhelm Lindenschmit the Elder)

Luitpold (also spelled Liutpold) was an important leader who lived a long time ago. He died on July 4, 907. He is known as the ancestor of the Luitpolding dynasty, a powerful family that ruled parts of Bavaria and Carinthia until the middle of the tenth century. Some historians believe he might have been related to the Carolingian dynasty, a very famous royal family.

Luitpold's Life and Role

In 893, Luitpold was given an important job by King Arnulf of Carinthia. He was made a margrave in the areas of Carinthia and Upper Pannonia. A margrave was a powerful leader in charge of a border region, often protecting it from enemies.

Luitpold took over from another margrave, Engelschalk II. Unlike previous leaders, Luitpold was able to gain more power without much trouble. He took control of many counties, which are like smaller regions, in Carinthia and along the Danube River. He also gained land around Regensburg starting in 895. This made him the most important noble in Bavaria.

Luitpold set up the basic structure for what would become a renewed "stem duchy." A stem duchy was a large territory ruled by a duke. Even though Luitpold laid the groundwork, it was his son, Arnulf the Bad, who officially became the first Duke of Bavaria based on his father's achievements.

Defending the Borders

Luitpold was a very loyal supporter of the kings Arnulf of Carinthia and his son Louis the Child. Because of his loyalty, the kings trusted him to defend the borders against invading groups like the Magyars and people from Great Moravia.

In 898, Luitpold fought successfully against Mojmír II, the king of Great Moravia. He did this to help the king's rebellious brother, Svatopluk II. Luitpold forced Mojmír to become a "vassal" of King Arnulf, meaning Mojmír had to obey Arnulf.

By 903, Luitpold was called dux Boemanorum, which means "Duke in Bohemia" or "leader of the Bohemians." He was in charge of organizing the defense of the Frankish lands against the Magyars, who were led by Grand Prince Árpád.

Sadly, Luitpold was killed in battle. On July 4, 907, he died east of Vienna during the Battle of Pressburg while fighting the Magyars.

Luitpold's Family

Luitpold married a woman named Cunigunde of Swabia. She was the daughter of Berthold I, an important count in Swabia, and the sister of Duke Erchanger of Swabia.

After Luitpold died, Cunigunde married King Conrad I of Germany in 913. Luitpold and Cunigunde had two sons:

• Arnulf the Bad, who became Duke of Bavaria from 907 to 937.
• Berthold, who was Duke of Bavaria from 938 to 948.

Because his sons became dukes, Luitpold is sometimes called a Duke of Bavaria himself. However, it's more accurate to call him a Margrave of Bavaria, as that was his official title during his lifetime.

See also

In Spanish: Luitpoldo de Baviera para niños