Rudolf I (bishop of Würzburg) facts for kids

Engraving by Johann Salver (born 1670; died 1738) from a series about Würzburg prince-bishops

Rudolf I was an important leader known as the Bishop of Würzburg. He served in this role from 892 until he died on August 3, 908. Rudolf was the youngest son of a powerful man named Udo of Neustria.

Becoming Bishop

Rudolf became Bishop of Würzburg in 892. He took over after the previous bishop, Arno, was killed. Arno died during a military campaign against a place called Great Moravia.

At the same time Rudolf became bishop, his older brother, Conrad the Elder, became the Margrave of Thuringia. A margrave was a military leader in charge of a border area. This shows how much power and influence Rudolf's family had in East Francia, which was a large kingdom in Europe.

Family and Politics

The family Rudolf belonged to was called the Conradines. They were very influential. It seems that King Arnulf supported Rudolf's family. This was because another powerful family, the Babenbergs, lost favor with the king.

A Babenberg leader named Poppo, Duke of Thuringia, was removed from his position. This happened because he had advised Bishop Arno to go on the campaign where Arno was killed. Soon after, the Conradine family (Rudolf's family) and the Babenberg family began a long and serious conflict.

His Death

Rudolf I died in 908 while fighting. He was killed during a battle against the Magyars in Thuringia.