Otto II, Duke of Bavaria facts for kids

Otto II (born April 7, 1206 – died November 29, 1253) was a powerful ruler in medieval Germany. He was known as "the Illustrious" (which means "the famous" or "the respected"). Otto became the Duke of Bavaria in 1231 and the Count Palatine of the Rhine in 1214. He was a member of the important Wittelsbach family. His parents were Louis I and Ludmilla of Bohemia. A poet named Reinbot von Dürne even worked at his court.

Otto's Early Life and Marriage

Otto was born in a town called Kelheim. When he was just sixteen years old, he got married to a woman named Agnes of the Palatinate. This marriage was very important for the Wittelsbach family. Agnes was the granddaughter of a famous duke named Henry the Lion and Conrad of Hohenstaufen.

How the Wittelsbach Family Grew Stronger

Because of this marriage, the Wittelsbach family gained control of the Palatinate. This was a very valuable territory. The Wittelsbachs kept the Palatinate as their own until 1918! This marriage also led to the lion becoming a symbol in the coats of arms for both Bavaria and the Palatinate.

Otto worked hard to make his family's power even greater. He added rich areas like Bogen in 1240, and Andechs and Ortenburg in 1248 to the Wittelsbach lands. This helped him control more of Bavaria. When he took over the county of Bogen, the Wittelsbachs also got the white and blue diamond-shaped flag. This flag has been the official flag of Bavaria (and the Palatinate) ever since.

Otto's Connection to the Emperor

Otto had a disagreement with the Holy Roman Emperor, Frederick II. But after they settled their differences, Otto decided to support Emperor Frederick II. This happened in 1241. To make their alliance even stronger, Otto's daughter, Elisabeth, married Frederick's son, Conrad IV.

A Conflict with the Pope

Because Otto supported Emperor Frederick II, the Pope was not happy. The Pope decided to excommunicate Otto. This was a very serious punishment from the church. It meant that Otto was no longer allowed to take part in church activities.

Otto's Family and Legacy

Otto II passed away in Landshut in 1253. Just like his family members before him, he was buried in the crypt of Scheyern Abbey.

Otto and his wife, Agnes, had several children. They were married in Worms in 1222. Their children included:

• Louis II, Duke of Bavaria (born April 13, 1229, in Heidelberg – died February 2, 1294, in Heidelberg).
• Henry XIII, Duke of Bavaria (born November 19, 1235, in Landshut – died February 3, 1290, in Burghausen).
• Elisabeth of Bavaria, Queen of Germany (born around 1227, in Landshut – died October 9, 1273).
• Sophie (born 1236, in Landshut – died August 9, 1289, at Castle Hirschberg). She married Count Gerhard IV of Sulzbach and Hirschberg in 1258.
• Agnes (born around 1240 – died around 1306). She became a Nun in Segenstal Abbey.

Otto also had another daughter who died when she was young. Her name is not known. Records from 1235 mention that she was supposed to marry Conrad, who later married her sister Elisabeth instead.