Theodoric of Landsberg facts for kids

Theodoric of Landsberg (also known as Dietrich), was a ruler from the House of Wettin family. People sometimes called him the Wise or the Fat. He was born in 1242 and passed away on February 8, 1285. Theodoric was the Margrave of Landsberg from 1265 until his death. A margrave was a type of noble ruler, similar to a count, who governed a border area called a margraviate.

The Life of Theodoric

Theodoric was the second son of Henry the Illustrious. Henry was the margrave of Meissen and Lusatia. Theodoric's mother was Constance of Babenberg, whose father was Duke Leopold VI of Austria.

Becoming a Ruler

In 1261, Theodoric's father, Henry, decided to create a new territory called the Margraviate of Landsberg. He separated it from his existing lands in Lusatia. After a conflict called the War of the Thuringian Succession, Henry gave this new land to Theodoric in 1265. This created a new branch of the Wettin family, known as a cadet branch.

Lands and Towns

The new territory was located between the Saale and Mulde rivers. Its main center was Landsberg Castle. Theodoric's lands included important towns like Delitzsch, Leipzig, and Groitzsch. His rule also reached areas near Zwickau and Grimma. His main home was in Weißenfels.

Challenges and Decisions

Creating this new state without the Holy Roman Emperor's permission was unusual. However, during that time, there was no strong central emperor, a period known as the interregnum. So, Theodoric didn't face any punishment. But his new rule led to big arguments with his older brother, Albert the Degenerate, and Albert's sons, over who should inherit which lands.

In 1273, Rudolf of Habsburg was chosen as the new King of the Romans. At first, Theodoric supported Rudolf's rival, King Ottokar II of Bohemia. But later, Theodoric chose to stay neutral in their conflicts. He was known for giving important town privileges to the citizens of Leipzig. He also joined a Prussian Crusade, which was a military journey with the Teutonic Knights.

End of His Rule

Theodoric died in 1285 while returning from Silesia. He had been there to arrange for his daughter Gertrude to marry Duke Bolko I the Strict from the Silesian Piasts family. Theodoric was buried in the former abbey of Seußlitz, which is now part of Nünchritz, Saxony. The Landsberg branch of the Wettin family ended soon after. His son, Frederick Tuta, died in 1291 without any sons to inherit the land. Landsberg was then sold to the Ascanian margraves of Brandenburg.

Family Life

In 1258, Theodoric married Helen of Brandenburg. She was the daughter of Margrave John I of Brandenburg. Helen passed away in 1304. Theodoric and Helen had five children together:

• Sophie of Landsberg (born around 1259; died August 24, 1318). She was married to Conradin of Hohenstaufen in 1266 through a proxy marriage (meaning someone stood in for the groom). Later, in 1271, she married Konrad I of Głogów. She later became an Abbess (leader) at the Saint Clare monastery in Weißenfels.
• Frederick Tuta (born 1269; died August 16, 1291). He became Margrave of Meissen and Landsberg after his father.
• Gertrude (died January 17, 1325). She became a nun in Weißenfels.
• Helen. She also became a nun in Weißenfels.
• Brigitta