Otto I, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Otto the Child
Otto the Child is enfeoffed with Brunswick-Lüneburg by Emperor Frederick II, Lüneburg Sachsenspiegel, 1448
Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg
Reign	1235–1252
Predecessor	none
Successor	Albert the Tall John
Born	1204
Died	9 June 1252 Lüneburg
Spouse	Matilda of Brandenburg
Issue	Albert I John Elisabeth
House	Welf
Father	William of Winchester
Mother	Helena of Denmark

Otto I of Brunswick-Lüneburg (born around 1204 – died 9 June 1252) was an important leader. He was the first duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg. He ruled from 1235 until his death. People called him Otto the Child to tell him apart from his uncle, Emperor Otto IV. Otto belonged to the House of Welf, a powerful family.

Otto's Early Life and Family

Otto was born around 1204. He was the only son of William of Winchester and Helena of Denmark. His mother, Helena, was the daughter of King Valdemar I of Denmark.

Otto's grandfather was Henry the Lion. Henry was once the Duke of Saxony. But the Hohenstaufen emperor Frederick Barbarossa removed him from power in 1180.

In 1202, Otto's father, William, made an agreement. He received family lands around Lüneburg in Saxony. These lands were called allodial properties, meaning they were fully owned.

Otto was still young when his father died in 1213. He inherited these lands. His uncle, Henry V, also had lands. Henry V was a Count Palatine. He decided to make Otto his successor in 1223. This meant Otto would inherit more family lands.

However, Emperor Frederick II didn't like this. He tried to stop Otto from inheriting. Frederick II bought claims from Henry V's daughters. This was a trick to take Otto's lands.

When Henry V died, Emperor Frederick II sent an army. His son, the King of the Romans, led the army. They tried to take the city of Brunswick. But Otto was already recognized as the rightful ruler. The people of Brunswick supported Otto. They fought off the invasion. The emperor's army had to leave.

Otto's Alliance with Denmark

To protect his lands, Otto made a deal. He formed a treaty with his uncle, King Valdemar II of Denmark. They promised to help each other against enemies. This alliance had some tough moments for Otto.

King Valdemar made Otto a count in Denmark. Otto fought alongside Denmark in battles. He was part of the Battle of Mölln in 1225. He also fought in the Battle of Bornhöved in 1227. After the Battle of Bornhöved, Otto was captured. He was held prisoner in Rostock.

Emperor Frederick II heard about Otto's capture. He tried again to attack Brunswick. His son, King Henry, led another army. But the people of Brunswick closed their gates. They were ready to defend their city. They also learned that the King of Denmark was coming to help. So, King Henry's army had to retreat. The emperor then had other important matters to deal with. He stopped trying to conquer Brunswick.

In 1228, the Count of Schwerin died. He was the one who had imprisoned Otto. On his deathbed, he asked for Otto to be set free. At first, the Duke of Saxony didn't want to let Otto go. But he agreed after receiving some lands as payment. Otto was finally released in September 1228.

When Otto returned to Brunswick, his people welcomed him. He gave the city more rights and freedoms. His uncle, the King of Denmark, also helped. He allowed Brunswick citizens to trade in Denmark without paying taxes.

On his way home, Otto visited the margrave of Brandenburg. There, he met Matilda, the margrave's daughter. Otto soon asked for her hand in marriage. The marriage was a great event in Lüneburg. This marriage helped Otto become even stronger.

By 1227, Otto's uncles had both died without sons. This made Otto the only heir to his grandfather's lands. He had to fight for these lands. He fought against the ruling Hohenstaufen family. He also fought against local nobles. But his marriage to Matilda helped him secure his position.

Otto's Rise to Power

Some people thought Otto wanted to join the pope's side. But it's not clear if this is true. Otto had strong support from England and Denmark. This would have given him resources.

King Henry III was Otto's cousin. Henry III wrote to Otto in 1229. He was happy about Otto's release from prison. Henry III also wrote to Pope Gregory IX. He thanked the Pope for helping Otto get free. Henry III asked the Pope to keep supporting Otto. He believed Otto would be loyal to the church. He thought Otto's freedom was thanks to the Pope.

In 1235, Otto made a deal with Emperor Frederick II. This agreement ended a long conflict. The conflict was between Frederick's House of Hohenstaufen and Otto's House of Welf. This fight started when Henry the Lion lost his duchies in 1180.

As part of the deal, Otto gave his private lands to the emperor. The emperor immediately gave them back to Otto. But now, Otto held them as a hereditary imperial fief. This meant he was a prince of the Holy Roman Empire again. This was a status his grandfather had lost.

The old Duchy of Saxony was now held by other dukes. So, the emperor created a new duchy for Otto. This new land was called the Duchy of Brunswick-Lüneburg. It was named after the two main cities in Otto's lands. Otto also increased his territory. He supported King William. King William married Otto's daughter, Elisabeth, in 1252.

Otto's Later Life and Death

King William planned a big meeting of German princes. It was to be held in Frankfurt in 1252. Otto was getting ready to go with his son-in-law. But Otto suddenly became ill. He died on 9 June 1252. Otto was buried in Brunswick Cathedral. He is an ancestor of all later members of the House of Welf.

Otto's Children

Otto married Matilda around 1228. She was the daughter of Albert II, Margrave of Brandenburg. They had several children:

• Elisabeth (died 1266), who married William II of Holland.
• Helen (died 1273), who married Albert I, Duke of Saxony and Hermann II, Landgrave of Thuringia.
• Adelaide (died 1274), who married Henry I, Landgrave of Hesse.
• Matilda (died around 1295), who married Henry II, Prince of Anhalt-Aschersleben.
• Agnes, who married Wizlaw II, Duke of Rügen.
• Albert I (died 1279).
• John (died 1277).
• Otto, who became Bishop of Hildesheim (died 1279).
• Conrad of Brunswick and Lunenburg, who became Prince-Bishop of Verden (died 1300).