Odilo, Duke of Bavaria facts for kids

Odilo (died January 18, 748) was an important ruler known as the Duke of Bavaria. He belonged to the Agilolfing family, a powerful noble group. Odilo ruled Bavaria from 737 until his death in 748. During his time, he helped create the Lex Baiuvariorum, which was the first set of laws written down for the people of Bavaria.

Life of Duke Odilo

Early Years and Becoming Duke

Odilo was a nobleman from the Alemanni region. His father was Duke Gotfrid, who died in 709. Odilo took over his father's lands in Thurgau. In 737, the older line of the Agilolfing family ended when Hugbert of Bavaria died. This meant Odilo became the new ruler of the Duchy of Bavaria.

Building the Church in Bavaria

In 739, Odilo helped set up new church areas called bishoprics in Bavaria. These were in Regensburg, Freising, Passau, and Salzburg. A famous church leader named St. Boniface helped with this. In 741, St. Boniface also started the Diocese of Würzburg in nearby Franconia.

Conflicts and Challenges

Odilo's actions caused some Bavarian nobles to rebel against him. He had to temporarily seek safety with Charles Martel, a powerful Frankish leader. In 741, Odilo married Charles Martel's daughter, Hiltrud. However, after Charles Martel died, Odilo found himself fighting against Hiltrud's brothers, Carloman and Pepin the Short.

In 742 and 743, Odilo supported the Alamans against the Franks. He even convinced Hunald I of Aquitaine to attack a Frankish area. But in 743, Odilo was defeated in a battle near the Lech river. He had to accept that the Franks were now his overlords, meaning they had more power over Bavaria. Even so, he remained the Duke. Odilo also helped Prince Boruth of Carantania fight against attacks from the Avars. This allowed him to make the Slavic region in the southeast a dependent state of Bavaria.

Later Life and Legacy

Odilo is known for founding several important monasteries, which are places where monks live and work. These include Benediktbeuern (in 739), Niederaltaich (741), and Mondsee (748). He also founded many others. Odilo died in 748 and was buried at Gengenbach Abbey in Alamannia.

After Odilo's death, Grifo, who was Charles Martel's son and Hiltrud's half-brother, tried to take control of Bavaria. He even kidnapped Odilo's young son, Tassilo III. However, the next year, Pepin the Short defeated Grifo. Pepin then made seven-year-old Tassilo III the new Duke of Bavaria.

See also

In Spanish: Odilón de Baviera para niños