Matthias I, Duke of Lorraine facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Matthias |
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+ MATEUS DUX ET MARCHIO LOTARINGORUM
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| Duke of Lorraine | |
| Reign | 1138 - 1176 |
| Predecessor | Simon I |
| Successor | Simon II |
| Born | 1119 |
| Died | 13 May 1176 |
| Burial | Clairlieu abbey, Villers-lès-Nancy |
| Spouse | Bertha of Swabia |
| Issue | Simon II, Duke of Lorraine Frederick I, Duke of Lorraine Judith Alice Theoderic Matthias |
| House | House of Lorraine |
| Father | Simon I, Duke of Lorraine |
| Mother | Adelaide of Leuven |
Matthias I (born 1119, died May 13, 1176) was an important ruler. He was the Duke of Lorraine from 1138 until his death. Matthias was the oldest son of Simon I and Adelaide.
Like the dukes before him, Matthias was a strong supporter of the king of Germany and the Holy Roman Emperor. He married Bertha in 1138. Bertha was the daughter of Frederick II, Duke of Swabia. This made her the niece of King Conrad III and the sister of Frederick Barbarossa, who would later become emperor.
Matthias and the Emperor
Matthias often joined Emperor Frederick Barbarossa on important trips. One such trip was to Rome in 1155. There, Matthias saw Barbarossa crowned emperor by Pope Adrian IV.
Matthias also helped the emperor in his wars. These wars were against Pope Adrian and the next pope, Alexander III. He also fought alongside the emperor against the kings of France and Sicily.
His Rule and Legacy
Matthias worked to make his own lands bigger. He added more territory to his duchy. Even though he expanded his lands, he was also very generous to the Church. He gave a lot of money and land to religious groups. He also founded new abbeys, which are like monasteries.
Matthias I died in 1176. He was buried in his own abbey, Clairlieu, in Villers-lès-Nancy.
His Family
Matthias and Bertha had several children:
- Simon (died 1205): He became the next Duke of Lorraine.
- Frederick (died 1206): He was the count of Bitche. He later became duke after his nephew.
- Judith (died 1173): She married Stephen II, count of Auxonne in 1170.
- Alice (died 1200): She married Hugh III, Duke of Burgundy.
- Theoderic (died 1181): He became the bishop of Metz from 1174 to 1179.
- Matthias (died 1208): He was the count of Toul.
- An unnamed daughter who died when she was young.
See also
|-style="text-align: center;" | width="30%" |Preceded by
Simon I | width="40%" style="text-align: center;" |Duke of Lorraine
1138–1176 | width="30%" |Succeeded by
Simon II |-
