Rudolph II of Burgundy facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Rudolph II |
|
|---|---|
| King of Burgundy | |
| Reign | 912–937 |
| Predecessor | Rudolph I |
| Successor | Conrad I |
| King of Italy | |
| Reign | 922–926 |
| Predecessor | Berengar I |
| Successor | Hugh |
| Born | c. 880/885 |
| Died | 12 or 13 July 937 |
| Burial | Abbey of Saint Maurice |
| Spouse | Bertha of Swabia |
| Issue | Conrad I of Burgundy Adelaide, Holy Roman Empress |
| House | Elder House of Welf |
| Father | Rudolph I of Burgundy |
| Mother | Guilla of Provence |
Rudolph II was a powerful king who ruled two important kingdoms in Europe during the 900s. He was King of Burgundy from 912 until he died in 937. He was also King of Italy from 922 to 926.
Rudolph started as king of Upper Burgundy. Later, in 933, he made a deal with King Hugh of Italy. Rudolph gave up his claim to the Italian crown. In return, he got the Kingdom of Lower Burgundy. This deal created the united Kingdom of Burgundy, which was a big and important kingdom.
Becoming a King
Rudolph was born around 880 or 885. He was part of the Elder House of Welf family. His father was Rudolph I, who was also a king in Upper Burgundy. His mother was Guilla of Provence.
When Rudolph II became king in 912, he had some disagreements with his neighbors. He had a border conflict with the dukes of Swabia. He even led campaigns in areas like Thurgau and Zürich.
Making Peace and Marrying
Duke Burchard II of Swabia was a strong opponent. He finally defeated Rudolph in a battle near Winterthur in 919. After this battle, the two rulers decided to make peace.
To seal their friendship, Rudolph married Burchard's daughter, Bertha of Swabia, in 922. This marriage helped bring stability to the region.
Ruling Italy
At the same time, some important Italian nobles asked Rudolph for help. They wanted him to come to Italy and rule them instead of Emperor Berengar. Rudolph agreed and traveled to Italy.
He was crowned king in Pavia, at the Basilica of San Michele Maggiore. In 923, Rudolph defeated Berengar in a battle. Berengar passed away the next year. Rudolph then ruled both Upper Burgundy and Italy. He would spend time in each kingdom.
Changes in Italy
However, in 926, the Italian nobles changed their minds. They decided they wanted Hugh of Arles to rule them instead. Hugh was already in charge of Provence, which was also known as Lower Burgundy.
Rudolph's father-in-law, Duke Burchard II, came to help him. But Burchard was attacked and killed near Novara. Rudolph decided to return to Upper Burgundy to keep himself safe. He also made sure that Hugh was crowned King of Italy.
Around this time, Rudolph made another important deal. He gave a special royal symbol called the Holy Lance to King Henry the Fowler. Henry was the king of the East Franks. In exchange, Rudolph received some lands in Swabia, including the city of Basel.
A United Kingdom
The two parts of Burgundy, Upper and Lower, officially became one kingdom in 933. Rudolph ruled this united Kingdom of Burgundy until he died in 937. His son, Conrad, became the next king.
Rudolph's daughter, Adelaide, became a very important person. After her father died, she married Hugh's son, Lothair. Later, Adelaide married Otto the Great, who became the Holy Roman Emperor in 962. She was also the mother of Emperor Otto II.
