Ottonian dynasty facts for kids
| Ottonian dynasty |
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|---|---|---|---|
| Country: | Quick facts for kids Duchy of Saxony, Kingdom of Germany, Holy Roman Empire |
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| Titles: | * Holy Roman Emperor | ||
| Final Ruler: | Henry II, Holy Roman Emperor | ||
| Founding Year: | 9th century: Liudolf, Duke of Saxony | ||
| Dissolution: | 1024 (after the death of Emperor Henry II) | ||
| Cadet Branches: | Brunonids | ||
The Ottonian dynasty was a powerful family of rulers in what is now Germany. They are also called the Saxon dynasty because they came from the region of Saxony. This family is sometimes known as the Liudolfings after their earliest known member, Liudolf. The Ottonian rulers are seen as the first dynasty of the Holy Roman Empire. They followed the Carolingian dynasty and Charlemagne, who started a new Roman Empire in the West.
Contents
Rise of the Ottonian Dynasty
The Ottonian dynasty began with Henry I the Fowler. He was the Duke of Saxony. Even though Henry was never an Emperor, he was chosen as the German king. This important step made it possible for his son, Otto the Great, to become an Emperor.
After Otto I, most German kings were also crowned as Holy Roman Emperor. During the time of the Ottonian rulers, the eastern part of the Frankish kingdom finally became known as Germany. Different regions like Lorraine, Saxony, Franconia, Swabia, Thuringia, and Bavaria joined together to form one empire.
Important Ottonian Rulers
Here are the main Ottonian kings and emperors:
- Henry I the Fowler: He was King of the Germans and Duke of Saxony. He died in 936.
- Otto I the Great: He became Holy Roman Emperor and Duke of Saxony. He died in 973.
- Otto II, Holy Roman Emperor: He was Holy Roman Emperor. He died in 983.
- Otto III, Holy Roman Emperor: He was Holy Roman Emperor. He died in 1002.
- Saint Henry II, Holy Roman Emperor: He was Holy Roman Emperor. He died in 1024.
End of the Dynasty
The Ottonian dynasty ended when Henry II died in 1024. After this, the crown passed to the Salian dynasty. This happened because Luitgard, a daughter of Emperor Otto I, had married Conrad the Red. His great-grandson, Conrad II, Holy Roman Emperor, later became emperor.
Images for kids
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The former church of St. Servatius in Quedlinburg. It was built in 936 by King Otto I to honor his father, King Henry the Fowler.
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A simplified family tree showing the Ottonian and Salian dynasties.
See also
In Spanish: Dinastía sajona para niños
