Lothair II Holy Roman Emperor
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Notes
Lothair II (1075-1137), king of Germany (1125-37) and Holy Roman emperor (1133-37), sometimes
called Lothair III. Through his wife, Richenza, Lothair secured extensive possessions in Saxony
(Sachsen), and in 1106, as a reward for his services to Emperor Henry V, he was granted the
entire duchy. He soon revolted against Henry, however, and their relations remained hostile
during most of Henry's reign. On Henry's death in 1125 Lothair was elected German king over the
rival candidate, Frederick II, duke of Swabia. In 1127 the new king arranged the marriage of
his daughter and heiress, Gertrude, to Henry the Proud, duke of Bavaria, whom he invested with
the duchy of Saxony in 1137. Thereafter a great struggle for ascendancy ensued between the
powerful houses of Welf, or Guelph (the dukes of Saxony and Bavaria), and those of Hohenstaufen.
The Hohenstaufen revolted against Lothair's authority but finally submitted to him after seven
years of fruitless war. During that time Lothair gave his support to Pope Innocent II
(reigned 1130-43) and visited Rome, where he was crowned Holy Roman emperor in 1133. Lothair
was also successful in extending his power east of the Elbe River and in Denmark. He died while
returning from a military expedition in Italy.
Exerpt from
"Lothair II," Microsoft� Encarta� Encyclopedia 99.
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