Otto I, Duke of Merania facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Otto I
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| Duke of Merania | |
Otto I of Andechs, Hedwig Codex, 1353
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| Born | c. 1180 |
| Died | 7 May 1234 Besançon, County of Burgundy |
| Buried | Langheim Abbey |
| Noble family | House of Andechs |
| Spouse(s) | Beatrice II, Countess of Burgundy |
| Issue |
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| Father | Berthold, Duke of Merania |
| Mother | Agnes of Rochlitz |
Otto I (born around 1180 – died May 7, 1234) was an important ruler from the House of Andechs. He was the Duke of Merania from 1204 until he passed away. He also became the Count of Burgundy (known as Otto II) from 1208 to 1231, thanks to his marriage to Countess Beatrice II. Later in his life, from 1228 until his death, he was also the Margrave of Istria and Carniola.
Contents
Otto I's Life and Rule
Otto I was born around 1180. He was the oldest son of Duke Berthold of Merania and his wife Agnes of Rochlitz. When his father died in 1204, Otto took over as the Duke of Merania. His younger brother, Henry II, inherited the titles of Margrave in Istria and Carniola.
Becoming Count of Burgundy
On June 21, 1208, Otto married Beatrice II, Countess of Burgundy. She was the daughter of the late Count Otto I of Burgundy. This marriage made Otto the Count of Burgundy. A big event happened at their wedding in Bamberg: King Philip of Swabia was murdered. This event made things difficult for Otto's family. Otto's brother, Henry II, was wrongly accused of being involved in the murder, and his lands were taken away.
Otto had to work hard to keep control of the County of Burgundy. There were other local counts who challenged his rule. At one point, Otto even had to give some of his Burgundian lands as a promise to Count Theobald IV of Champagne.
Joining the Fifth Crusade
In 1217, Otto joined the Fifth Crusade. This was a big religious war to try and take back lands in the Middle East. He went with Duke Leopold VI of Austria and his brother-in-law, King Andrew II of Hungary.
Challenges and Inheritances
In 1222, Otto had a disagreement with Gerard I de Rougemont, who was the Archbishop of Besançon. The problem was about a castle Otto was building, which went against an old promise. When Otto didn't stop building or explain himself, the church court took action against him. He quickly asked his brother Ekbert, Bishop of Bamberg for help. To make things right, on October 20, 1223, Otto made many generous gifts to religious groups.
In 1228, Otto inherited the Marches of Istria and Carniola. His brother Henry II had gotten these lands back shortly before Otto inherited them.
When his wife Beatrice died in 1231, Otto was no longer the Count of Burgundy. Their son, also named Otto, became the new Count (as Otto III). When Otto I himself died in 1234, his son Otto also took over as Duke of Merania.
Otto I's Family
Otto I had many children with his first wife, Beatrice of Hohenstaufen:
- Otto III of Merania (born around 1226 – died June 19, 1248). He became the Count of Burgundy after his mother in 1231. He also became the Duke of Merania and Margrave of Istria and Carniola after his father in 1234. He married Elizabeth of Tyrol. When he died, his family line (the male line of the House of Andechs) ended.
- Agnes of Merania (died 1260/63). She married Frederick II, Duke of Austria first, and then Ulrich III, Duke of Carinthia.
- Beatrix of Merania (died after 1265). She married Herman II, Count of Weimar-Orlamünde.
- Margaret of Merania (died 1271). She married Přemysl of Bohemia first, and then Frederick, Count of Truhendingen.
- Adelaide of Merania (died 1279). She became the ruler of the County of Burgundy after her brother died in 1248. She married Hugh III, Count of Burgundy first, and then Philip I, Count of Savoy.
- Elisabeth of Merania. She married Frederick III, Burgrave of Nuremberg.
After Beatrice died in 1231, Otto married Sophia of Anhalt. They did not have any children together.
Images for kids
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Otto I of Andechs, Hedwig Codex, 1353
See also
In Spanish: Otón de Merania para niños
