Otto I the Great Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Otto the Great
Depiction of Otto I on his seal in 968
Holy Roman Emperor
Reign	2 February 962 – 7 May 973
Coronation	2 February 962 Old St. Peter's Basilica, Rome
Predecessor	Berengar of Friuli
Successor	Otto II
King of Italy
Reign	25 December 961 – 7 May 973
Coronation	10 October 951 Pavia
Predecessor	Berengar II
Successor	Otto II
King of Germany (East Francia)
Reign	2 July 936 – 7 May 973
Coronation	7 August 936 Aachen Cathedral
Predecessor	Henry the Fowler
Successor	Otto II
Duke of Saxony
Reign	2 July 936 – 7 May 973
Predecessor	Henry the Fowler
Successor	Bernard I

Born	23 November 912 possibly Wallhausen, East Francia
Died	7 May 973(973-05-07) (aged 60) Memleben, Holy Roman Empire
Burial	Magdeburg Cathedral
Spouse	Eadgyth of England (930–946) Adelaide of Italy (951–973)
Issue	William, Archbishop of Mainz Liutgarde of Saxony Liudolf, Duke of Swabia Matilda, Abbess of Quedlinburg Otto II, Holy Roman Emperor
Dynasty	Ottonian
Father	Henry the Fowler
Mother	Matilda
Religion	Roman Catholic
Signum manus

Otto I the Great was a very important ruler in medieval Europe. He was born on November 23, 912, and passed away on May 7, 973. His father was Henry I the Fowler, who was the King of the Germans. His mother was Matilda of Ringelheim. Otto became the Duke of the Saxons, then the King of the Germans, and later the Holy Roman Emperor. He helped shape the future of Germany and Europe.

Becoming King of Germany
- Dealing with Rebellions
- Strengthening His Power
Conquering Italy
- Battle of Lechfeld
Becoming Holy Roman Emperor
- Later Years and Legacy
Images for kids
See also

Becoming King of Germany

Otto became the King of Germany in 936, after his father died. He was crowned in Aachen Cathedral, a very old and important church. This church was built by Charlemagne, another famous emperor. Otto wanted to be a strong ruler, just like Charlemagne.

Dealing with Rebellions

When Otto became king, some powerful dukes in Germany were not happy. They wanted more power for themselves.

In 937, some dukes rebelled against Otto.
Again in 939, more dukes tried to overthrow him.

Otto was a strong leader and managed to defeat these rebellions. He showed everyone that he was in charge.

Strengthening His Power

To make his rule stronger, Otto gave important jobs to bishops and abbots. These were church leaders.

He trusted them more than the dukes.
He gave them land and power.
This helped him control the different parts of Germany better.

This system was called the "Ottonian Church System." It made the church leaders very important in the government.

Conquering Italy

Otto also became involved in the politics of Italy.

In 951, he went to Italy for the first time.
He took control of the Iron Crown of Lombardy, which was a symbol of power in Italy.
He married Adelaide of Italy, who was an Italian queen. This marriage helped him gain more influence in Italy.

Battle of Lechfeld

In 954 and 955, a group called the Hungarians invaded Germany. They were fierce warriors from the east.

Otto gathered his army to fight them.
The big battle happened at Battle of Lechfeld in 955.
Otto's army won a great victory. This stopped the Hungarian invasions for good.

This victory made Otto a hero in Germany and all of Europe.

Becoming Holy Roman Emperor

Because of his power and influence, Otto was invited to Rome.

On February 2, 962, he was crowned Holy Roman Emperor by Pope John XII.
This was a very important moment. It brought back the idea of a large, unified Christian empire in Europe.
The Holy Roman Empire would last for many centuries.

Otto's coronation showed that he was the most powerful ruler in Europe.

Later Years and Legacy

Otto ruled as Emperor for over a decade. He continued to strengthen his empire.

He made sure his son, Otto II, would become the next emperor.
He died in 973 and was buried in Magdeburg Cathedral.

Otto the Great is remembered for uniting Germany, stopping invasions, and creating the Holy Roman Empire. He laid the foundation for a powerful German state that would last for a long time.

Images for kids

12th-century stained glass depiction of Otto I, Strasbourg Cathedral
Side view of the Throne of Charlemagne at Aachen Cathedral, where Otto was crowned King of Germany in 936
Central Europe, 919–1125. The Kingdom of Germany included the duchies of Saxony (yellow), Franconia (blue), Bavaria (green), Swabia (orange) and Lorraine (pink left). Various dukes rebelled against Otto's rule in 937 and again in 939.
Statues of Otto I, right, and Adelaide in Meissen Cathedral. Otto and Adelaide were married after his annexation of Italy.
The Iron Crown of the Lombards was passed to Otto in 951 during his first Italian campaign.
Manuscript depiction (c. 1200) of Otto accepting the surrender of Berengar II of Italy. The headline reads Otto I Theutonicorum rex ("Otto the First, King of the Germans").
A medieval king investing a bishop with the symbols of office. Otto centralized his control over Germany through the investiture of bishops and abbots.
Europe shortly after Otto's reign. The Hungarians (orange), located to the east of Otto's realm (blue), invaded Germany in 954 and 955.
A 1457 illustration of the Battle of Lechfeld in Sigmund Meisterlin's codex about the history of Nuremberg
The Imperial Crown of the Holy Roman Empire. Otto was crowned as Emperor on February 2, 962 by Pope John XII.
Contemporary image of Otto I, lower left, in one of the Magdeburg Ivories. Otto presents Magdeburg Cathedral to Christ and Saints, and is depicted smaller than them as a sign of humility.
Tomb of Otto I in Magdeburg Cathedral
Imperial Crown of the Holy Roman Empire commemorative coin