Theodoric II, Duke of Lorraine facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Theodoric II
THEODERICUS D[EI] G[RATIA] DUX LOTH[RINGEN]] ET MARCHIO
Duke of Lorraine
Reign	1070–1115
Predecessor	Gerhard, Duke of Lorraine
Successor	Simon I, Duke of Lorraine
Died	(1115-12-30)30 December 1115
Spouse	Hedwig of Formbach Gertrude of Flanders
Issue	Simon I, Duke of Lorraine Thierry, Count of Flanders "and more"
House	Metz
Father	Gerhard
Mother	Hedwige of Namur

Meet Theodoric II, also known as the Valiant! He was a powerful leader, the Duke of Lorraine from 1070 until he passed away on December 30, 1115. He took over from his father, Gerhard, and his mother was Hedwige of Namur.

When Theodoric became duke, there was a challenge to his rule. A man named Louis, who was married to Sophie (a daughter of a previous duke), believed he should be the next duke. To get support, Theodoric gave his brother the County of Vaudémont. He then gathered important nobles, and they chose him as duke over Louis. Louis soon died, but his son, Theodoric II of Bar, still tried to claim the title. However, the powerful Emperor Henry IV officially confirmed Theodoric the Valiant as the rightful duke.

Because the Emperor supported him, Theodoric remained loyal to the emperors throughout his time as duke. He helped the Emperor fight against the Saxons between 1070 and 1078. He also generally sided with the Emperor when he had disagreements with the popes, Pope Gregory VII and Pope Urban II.

In 1095, Theodoric planned to join the First Crusade, a big journey to the East. But he became very ill and couldn't go. Even so, he convinced many of his important noblemen to go on the Crusade. After this, he didn't get involved much in big imperial matters. He chose not to take sides in the conflicts between Emperor Henry IV and his son Henry, or against Lothair of Supplinburg, the duke of Saxony.

Family Life and Children

Theodoric II was married twice and had several children.

First Marriage

His first wife was Hedwig. They married around 1075. Hedwig passed away between 1085 and 1090. Together, they had two children:

• Simon (1076–1138): He became the next Duke of Lorraine after his father. Simon married Adelaide of Leuven.
• Gertrude (died 1144): She married Floris II, who was the Count of Holland.

Second Marriage

His second wife was Gertrude of Flanders (around 1070–1117). She was the daughter of Robert I of Flanders. Gertrude had been married before and had four daughters from her first marriage. Theodoric and Gertrude married in 1106. They had five children:

• Thierry of Alsace (died 1168): He became the Lord of Bitche and later the Count of Flanders starting in 1128. He married Sibylla of Anjou.
• Henry I (died 1165): He became the bishop of Toul.
• Ida: She married Sigefroy, the Count of Burghausen.
• Ermengarde: She married Bernard de Brancion.
• Gisela: She married Frederick, the Count of Saarbrücken.

See also

• Dukes of Lorraine family tree

Sources

Theodoric II, Duke of Lorraine House of Metz Died: 30 December 1115
Preceded by Gerhard	Duke of Lorraine 1070–1115	Succeeded by Simon I