Simon I, Duke of Lorraine facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Simon I |
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+ SYMON GRA[TIA] D[E]I LOTHARINGORUM DUX ET MARCHIO
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| Duke of Lorraine | |
| Reign | 1115 - 1138 |
| Predecessor | Theodoric II |
| Successor | Matthias I |
| Born | 1076 |
| Died | 13 January 1139 |
| Burial | Saint-Dié |
| Spouse | Adelaide of Leuven |
| Issue | Matthias I, Duke of Lorraine Agatha of Lorraine |
| House | House of Metz |
| Father | Theodoric II, Duke of Lorraine |
| Mother | Hedwig of Formbach |
Simon I (born in 1076, died in 1139) was an important leader known as the duke of Lorraine. He became duke in 1115 after his father, Theodoric II. Simon was also the half-brother of a powerful emperor named Lothair III.
Working with Emperors
Simon I worked hard to keep good relationships with the Holy Roman Emperor, who was a very powerful ruler in Europe at that time. He even traveled with Emperor Henry V to an important meeting called the Diet of Worms in 1122. At this meeting, a big disagreement about who could choose church leaders, called the Investiture Controversy, was finally settled.
Church Relations and Building Abbeys
Simon I sometimes had disagreements with important church leaders in his lands, like the bishop of Metz and the archbishop of Trier. These leaders were friends with the Count of Bar, who had tried to claim Lorraine from Simon's father.
Even though one archbishop briefly removed Simon from the church (called excommunication), Pope Innocent II later lifted this decision. Simon was a good friend of Bernard of Clairvaux, a famous monk. Simon also helped build many important religious buildings called abbeys in his duchy. One of these was the Sturzelbronn Abbey, built in 1135. He was first buried in Saint-Dié but later moved to Sturzelbronn.
Simon's Family
Simon I of Lorraine married a woman named Adelaide. She was the daughter of Henry III of Leuven. Simon and Adelaide had several children:
- Matthias, who became the next Duke of Lorraine
- Robert, who was the lord of Floranges
- Agatha of Lorraine, who married Reginald III, Count of Burgundy
- Hedwige, who married Frederick III, the count of Toul
- Bertha, who married Margrave Hermann III of Baden
- Mathilde, who married Gottfried I, Count of Sponheim
- Baldwin
- John
See also
- House of Lorraine
- Abbey de Sainte-Marie-au-Bois
