Otto I, Duke of Saxony facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Otto I
Duke of Saxony
Otto I Dux, depiction in the Chronica Sancti Pantaleonis, Cologne (c. 1237
Spouse(s)	Hathui of Babenberg
Issue
Thankmar Liudolf Henry the Fowler Oda of Saxony
Noble family	Ottonian dynasty
Father	Liudolf, Duke of Saxony
Mother	Oda of Billung
Born	c. 830/40
Died	(912-11-30)30 November 912 Wallhausen, Saxony
Burial	Gandersheim Abbey

Otto (born around 830 or 840 – died November 30, 912) was an important leader known as the Illustrious. He was a member of the powerful Ottonian dynasty. From 880 until his death, Otto served as the Duke of Saxony. A duke was a powerful ruler of a large area, similar to a king but often under a king.

Otto's Family and Background

Otto was the younger son of Liudolf (who died in 866). Liudolf was the first important leader of their family, which later became known as the Ottonian dynasty. Otto's mother was Oda (who died in 913). She was the daughter of a Saxon leader named Billung.

Otto had an older brother named Bruno. Bruno was supposed to take over their father's lands. Otto also had a sister, Liutgard. In 876, Liutgard became the Queen of East Francia. She married Louis the Younger, who was a king from the Carolingian dynasty. This marriage showed how important Liudolf's family was in the Saxon lands.

Around 873, Otto married Hathui (who died in 903). She was likely the daughter of a Frankish military leader named Henry of Franconia. Otto and Hathui had two sons, Thankmar and Liudolf, but they both died before their father. Their third son, Henry the Fowler, became duke after Otto. Henry the Fowler was later chosen to be king. Otto's daughter, Oda, married Zwentibold of Lotharingia. He was a king from the Carolingian family and the son of Emperor Arnulf.

Otto's family was first called the Liudolfinger after his father. But when his grandson, Emperor Otto the Great, became emperor, the family became known as the Ottonian dynasty.

Otto's Time as Duke

Otto became Duke of Saxony after his brother Bruno died. Bruno was killed in a battle against Viking invaders in 880. This battle happened at Lüneburg Heath.

Otto ruled over large areas in Saxony and Thuringia. He was called a dux (duke) in later records. In some older documents, he was also called a marchio, which meant he was a ruler of a border area. He was also a lay abbot of Hersfeld Abbey in 908. This meant he was in charge of the abbey's lands and money, even though he wasn't a monk. A writer named Widukind of Corvey later called him "great duke Otto."

Otto did not spend much time at the Carolingian royal court. He mostly stayed in Saxony. He was a powerful regional leader in East Francia. The kings he served, Louis the Younger and Emperor Arnulf, trusted him. They rarely interfered with how Otto ran Saxony. Otto was like a prince in his own lands. He also made the neighboring Slavic tribes in the east, like the Daleminzi, pay him tribute. This meant they had to give him goods or money as a sign of their loyalty.

After the last Carolingian king, Louis the Child, died in 911, some people wanted Otto to become the king of East Francia. This story comes from Widukind of Corvey. However, Otto supposedly refused because he was too old. He suggested that Duke Conrad of Franconia should be king instead. Historians are not sure if this story is completely true.

Otto died the next year, in 912, at his royal estate in Wallhausen. He was buried in the church of Gandersheim Abbey.

See also

In Spanish: Otón I de Sajonia para niños