Otto I the Great Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire , 912973 (aged 60 years)

Name
Otto I // Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire
Given names
Otto I
Nickname
the Great
Name suffix
Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire
Birth
Text:

Europäische Stammtafeln, Band I, Frank Baron Freytag von Loringhoven, 1975, Isenburg, W. K. Prinz von, Reference: Page 3

Marriage
Text:

The Lineage and Ancestry of H.R.H. Prince Charles, Prince of Wales, Edinburgh, 1977, Paget, Gerald, Reference: I 6

Marriage
Text:

- Europäische Stammtafeln, Band I, Frank Baron Freytag von Loringhoven, 1975, Isenburg, W. K. Prinz von, Reference: Page 3
- Caroli Magni Progenies, Neustadt an der Aisch, 1977 , Rösch, Siegfried, Reference: 161

Death
Text:

Europäische Stammtafeln, Band I, Frank Baron Freytag von Loringhoven, 1975, Isenburg, W. K. Prinz von, Reference: Page 3

Note
Text:

Europäische Stammtafeln, Band I, Frank Baron Freytag von Loringhoven, 1975, Isenburg, W. K. Prinz von, Reference: Page 3

Source citation
Text:

Europäische Stammtafeln, Band I, Frank Baron Freytag von Loringhoven, 1975, Isenburg, W. K. Prinz von, Reference: Page 3

Source citation
Note

BIOGRAPHY
Otto was born on 3 November 912, the eldest son of Emperor Elect Heinrich 'the Fowler' and Matilda von Ringelheim. Otto's younger years were disturbed by quarrels between his parents. His mother wanted their second son Heinrich, seven years younger than Otto, acknowledged as the heir. However when Heinrich the Fowler died in 936, Otto succeeded him aged twenty-four.

In his younger years he preferred to be away from his mother, and accompanied his father subduing the tribes in Bavaria and Suabia. When he was seventeen he married Eadgyth, a daughter of the English king, Edward 'the Elder'. However, his mother's thoroughly religious education left its mark, as he rarely missed attendance at mass and founded several convents.

Otto never learned to read or write, which in later life he resented and tried to remedy. He did learn a little French, but not enough to speak it and he had no knowledge of Latin. However he was very intelligent, had a good memory and was an excellent judge of people. He loved hunting and riding wild horses, yet was reserved, calm and dignified. He was capable of sudden bursts of temper, which he would quickly forget, though the people affected did not. Consequently he was more respected than loved.

At his coronation in 936 by Hildebert, archbishop of Mayence, he made it clear that he intended to be an absolute ruler. To emphasise this he made the dukes of Bavaria, Suabia, Franconia and Lorraine wait upon him at the banquet following the coronation.

Some of these dukes resented this and revolted. Among the rebels were Otto's half-brother Thankmar and the resentful younger brother Heinrich. Heinrich was joined by Giselbert, duke of Lorraine, and marched towards the Rhine. Although Otto was greatly outnumbered he was a clever strategist and defeated the rebels. Superstition also played a role in his victory as he carried a 'Holy Lance'. Further victories were won with this 'Holy Lance', and his brother Heinrich fled to the court of King Louis IV of France.

As Otto wanted peace and not revenge, after a period he sought the friendship of the defeated dukes. His brother was forgiven, made duke of Bavaria, and so became Otto's loyal follower. To pacify the Duke of Suabia he arranged the marriage of his son Liudolf to Ida, daughter of Hermann I of Suabia, while Otto's supporter Konrad 'the Red' replaced the duke of Lorraine. With peace now within the empire, he wanted to 'secure' the borders at the eastern front. His first step was the conquest of Bohemia, and he then inflicted devastation on the Slavs living beyond the Elbe and Oder. While establishing himself in the east, trouble was caused by King Louis IV of France who wanted to regain Lorraine. Otto, believing in family ties, was furious with his French brother-in-law and marched into France. The defeated Louis IV withdrew into France, only to be defeated again by Hugues 'the Great', duke of The Franks. Hugues was also Otto's brother-in-law. Sick of family squabbles, Otto defeated him as well.

Having secured the western borders, Otto was next invited to intervene in Italy. The Italian ruler Lothar had died and the cruel and unscrupulous Berengar II of Ivrea took his place. Berengar tried to seize the dowry of Lothar's widow, the beautiful Aelis (or Adelaïde). Although she escaped, she was still in danger and asked for Otto's protection. Coming with an army to Lombardy, he forced Berengar to acknowledge him as the overlord of Italy, and assumed the title of king of Italy. As he was a widower, he married Aelis.

Although he hoped to remain in Italy to make sure of it as part of the empire, he was forced to return to Germany when his son Liudolf revolted, out of fear for possible sons Otto might father by Aelis. The archbishop of Mayence joined Liudolf, and to add to Otto's troubles the Magyars attacked Bavaria.

While Otto reasserted his authority in Germany, the Duke of Lorraine, who acted as his representative in Lombardy, joined Berengar against him. In 961 the debauched Pope John XII appealed to Otto to get rid of Berengar; Otto returned to Italy and Berengar was forced to acknowledge Otto's supremacy.

On 31 January 962 in Rome's St. Peter's, Otto was then crowned Holy Roman Emperor by Pope John XII. Otto was now secular master of Europe as well as head of the Church, having forced Pope John XII to swear allegiance to him. By doing so, the pope became Otto's vassal. When Pope John XII indicated that he regretted this action, Otto deposed and replaced him with Pope Leo VIII.

Having settled his affairs in Italy, Otto returned to Germany; but in 965 Pope Leo VIII suddenly died and the clergy wanted to elect his successor without Otto's consent. Otto returned to Italy and appointed the bishop of Narni as Pope John XIII. When the Romans drove John XIII into exile, in 966 Otto returned and forced the Romans to accept him.

Otto then left Italy for the last time and in his last years peace prevailed in Europe. He died on 6 May 973 and was buried in the Cathedral of Magdeburg which he had built.

Text:

Europäische Stammtafeln, Band I, Frank Baron Freytag von Loringhoven, 1975, Isenburg, W. K. Prinz von, Reference: Page 3

 

Great-grandparents

generation +3 relationship coefficient: 12.5% (Biological great-grandparents)

the Great has 3 great-grandfathers and 2 great-grandmothers recorded (5 in total).

Grandparents

generation +2 relationship coefficient: 25.0% (Biological grandparents)

the Great has 2 grandfathers and 2 grandmothers recorded (4 in total).

Uncles and Aunts

generation +1 relationship coefficient: 25.0% (Full siblings of biological parents)

the Great has one aunt recorded.

Uncles and Aunts by marriage

generation +1 no blood relationship

the Great has one uncle by marriage recorded.

Siblings-in-law of father (1)

Sister Oda von Sachsen

Parents

generation +1 relationship coefficient: 50.0% (Biological parents)

the Great has 1 father and 1 mother recorded (2 in total).

Parents-in-law

generation +1 no blood relationship

the Great has 2 fathers-in-law and 2 mothers-in-law recorded (4 in total).

Co-parents-in-law

same generation no blood relationship

the Great has 2 co-fathers-in-law and 2 co-mothers-in-law recorded (4 in total).

Partners

same generation no blood relationship

the Great has 2 female partners recorded.

Partner of the Great  (2)

Partner chains

same generation no blood relationship

the Great has no members of a partner chain recorded.

Siblings

same generation relationship coefficient: 50.0% (Full siblings)

the Great has 2 sisters recorded.

Siblings-in-law

same generation no blood relationship

the Great has 4 brothers-in-law and 2 sisters-in-law recorded (6 in total).

Co-siblings-in-law

same generation no blood relationship

the Great has 3 co-brothers-in-law and 1 co-sister-in-law recorded (4 in total).

Cousins

same generation relationship coefficient: 12.5% (Children of full siblings of biological parents)

the Great has one female first cousin recorded.

Children of full siblings of father (1)

Parents Gerhard Graf im Metzgau + Oda von Sachsen
1 Uda von Metz 963

Nephews and Nieces

generation -1 relationship coefficient: 25.0% (Children of full siblings)

the Great has 4 nephews and 5 nieces recorded (9 in total).

Children

generation -1 relationship coefficient: 50.0% (Biological children)

the Great has 2 sons recorded.

Children-in-law

generation -1 no blood relationship

the Great has 2 daughters-in-law recorded.

Grandchildren

generation -2 relationship coefficient: 25.0% (Biological grandchildren)

the Great has 2 granddaughters recorded.

Grandchildren-in-law

generation -2 no blood relationship

the Great has 2 grandsons-in-law recorded.

Summary for the shown extended family

The extended family of the Great has 51 members (including the Great). (additional members of the partner chains are not counted) Some of them are member in more than one part of the extended family.

Great-grandparents

generation +3 relationship coefficient: 12.5% (Biological great-grandparents)

the Great has 3 great-grandfathers recorded.

Grandparents

generation +2 relationship coefficient: 25.0% (Biological grandparents)

the Great has 2 grandfathers recorded.

Uncles and Aunts

generation +1 relationship coefficient: 25.0% (Full siblings of biological parents)

the Great has no uncles or aunts recorded.

Uncles and Aunts by marriage

generation +1 no blood relationship

the Great has one uncle by marriage recorded.

Siblings-in-law of father (1)

Sister Oda von Sachsen

Parents

generation +1 relationship coefficient: 50.0% (Biological parents)

the Great has one father recorded.

Parents-in-law

generation +1 no blood relationship

the Great has 2 fathers-in-law recorded.

Co-parents-in-law

same generation no blood relationship

the Great has 2 co-fathers-in-law recorded.

Partners

same generation no blood relationship

the Great has no partners recorded.

Partner chains

same generation no blood relationship

the Great has no members of a partner chain recorded.

Siblings

same generation relationship coefficient: 50.0% (Full siblings)

the Great has no siblings recorded.

Siblings-in-law

same generation no blood relationship

the Great has 4 brothers-in-law recorded.

Co-siblings-in-law

same generation no blood relationship

the Great has 3 co-brothers-in-law recorded.

Cousins

same generation relationship coefficient: 12.5% (Children of full siblings of biological parents)

the Great has no first cousins recorded.

Nephews and Nieces

generation -1 relationship coefficient: 25.0% (Children of full siblings)

the Great has 4 nephews recorded.

Children

generation -1 relationship coefficient: 50.0% (Biological children)

the Great has 2 sons recorded.

Children-in-law

generation -1 no blood relationship

the Great has no children-in-law recorded.

Grandchildren

generation -2 relationship coefficient: 25.0% (Biological grandchildren)

the Great has no grandchildren recorded.

Grandchildren-in-law

generation -2 no blood relationship

the Great has 2 grandsons-in-law recorded.

Summary for the shown extended family

The extended family of the Great has 25 members (including the Great). (additional members of the partner chains are not counted) Some of them are member in more than one part of the extended family.

Great-grandparents

generation +3 relationship coefficient: 12.5% (Biological great-grandparents)

the Great has 2 great-grandmothers recorded.

Biological grandparents of father (1)

Parents Liudolf Duke of Saxony + Oda (Marriage) of Otto der Erlauchte Herzog von Sachsen
1 Oda 805913

Biological grandparents of mother (1)

Parents Reginhert Graf von Ringelheim + Matilda (Marriage) of Dietrich Graf von Ringelheim
1 Matilda

Grandparents

generation +2 relationship coefficient: 25.0% (Biological grandparents)

the Great has 2 grandmothers recorded.

Uncles and Aunts

generation +1 relationship coefficient: 25.0% (Full siblings of biological parents)

the Great has one aunt recorded.

Uncles and Aunts by marriage

generation +1 no blood relationship

the Great has no uncles or aunts by marriage recorded.

Parents

generation +1 relationship coefficient: 50.0% (Biological parents)

the Great has one mother recorded.

Parents-in-law

generation +1 no blood relationship

the Great has 2 mothers-in-law recorded.

Co-parents-in-law

same generation no blood relationship

the Great has 2 co-mothers-in-law recorded.

Partners

same generation no blood relationship

the Great has 2 female partners recorded.

Partner of the Great  (2)

Partner chains

same generation no blood relationship

the Great has no members of a partner chain recorded.

Siblings

same generation relationship coefficient: 50.0% (Full siblings)

the Great has 2 sisters recorded.

Siblings-in-law

same generation no blood relationship

the Great has 2 sisters-in-law recorded.

Siblings of partners (2)

Marriage with  Eadgyth of Wessex
1 Eadgifu of Wessex 896951

Co-siblings-in-law

same generation no blood relationship

the Great has one co-sister-in-law recorded.

Partners of siblings-in-law (1)

Partners of Conrad I the Peaceful King of Bourgogne 937-993
1 Mahaut de France 943982

Cousins

same generation relationship coefficient: 12.5% (Children of full siblings of biological parents)

the Great has one female first cousin recorded.

Children of full siblings of father (1)

Parents Gerhard Graf im Metzgau + Oda von Sachsen
1 Uda von Metz 963

Nephews and Nieces

generation -1 relationship coefficient: 25.0% (Children of full siblings)

the Great has 5 nieces recorded.

Children of siblings (3)

Sister Gerberga von Sachsen
1 Gerberga de Lorraine 930978
3 Mahaut de France 943982

Children of siblings of partners (2)

Brother Conrad I the Peaceful King of Bourgogne 937-993 of partner Saint Aelis de Bourgogne
1 Bertha de Bourgogne 9641010
2 Gerberge de Bourgogne 9651016

Children

generation -1 relationship coefficient: 50.0% (Biological children)

the Great has no children recorded.

Children-in-law

generation -1 no blood relationship

the Great has 2 daughters-in-law recorded.

Grandchildren

generation -2 relationship coefficient: 25.0% (Biological grandchildren)

the Great has 2 granddaughters recorded.

Grandchildren-in-law

generation -2 no blood relationship

the Great has no grandchildren-in-law recorded.

Summary for the shown extended family

The extended family of the Great has 27 members (including the Great). (additional members of the partner chains are not counted) Some of them are member in more than one part of the extended family.

No family available

No family available

Great-grandparents

generation +3 relationship coefficient: 12.5% (Biological great-grandparents)

the Great has 3 great-grandfathers and 2 great-grandmothers recorded (5 in total).

Grandparents

generation +2 relationship coefficient: 25.0% (Biological grandparents)

the Great has 2 grandfathers and 2 grandmothers recorded (4 in total).

Uncles and Aunts

generation +1 relationship coefficient: 25.0% (Full siblings of biological parents)

the Great has one aunt recorded.

Uncles and Aunts by marriage

generation +1 no blood relationship

the Great has one uncle by marriage recorded.

Siblings-in-law of father (1)

Sister Oda von Sachsen

Parents

generation +1 relationship coefficient: 50.0% (Biological parents)

the Great has 1 father and 1 mother recorded (2 in total).

Parents-in-law

generation +1 no blood relationship

the Great has 2 fathers-in-law and 2 mothers-in-law recorded (4 in total).

Co-parents-in-law

same generation no blood relationship

the Great has 2 co-fathers-in-law and 2 co-mothers-in-law recorded (4 in total).

Partners

same generation no blood relationship

the Great has 2 female partners recorded.

Partner of the Great  (2)

Partner chains

same generation no blood relationship

the Great has no members of a partner chain recorded.

Siblings

same generation relationship coefficient: 50.0% (Full siblings)

the Great has 2 sisters recorded.

Siblings-in-law

same generation no blood relationship

the Great has 4 brothers-in-law and 2 sisters-in-law recorded (6 in total).

Co-siblings-in-law

same generation no blood relationship

the Great has 3 co-brothers-in-law and 1 co-sister-in-law recorded (4 in total).

Cousins

same generation relationship coefficient: 12.5% (Children of full siblings of biological parents)

the Great has one female first cousin recorded.

Children of full siblings of father (1)

Parents Gerhard Graf im Metzgau + Oda von Sachsen
1 Uda von Metz 963

Nephews and Nieces

generation -1 relationship coefficient: 25.0% (Children of full siblings)

the Great has 4 nephews and 5 nieces recorded (9 in total).

Children

generation -1 relationship coefficient: 50.0% (Biological children)

the Great has 2 sons recorded.

Children-in-law

generation -1 no blood relationship

the Great has 2 daughters-in-law recorded.

Grandchildren

generation -2 relationship coefficient: 25.0% (Biological grandchildren)

the Great has 2 granddaughters recorded.

Grandchildren-in-law

generation -2 no blood relationship

the Great has 2 grandsons-in-law recorded.

Summary for the shown extended family

The extended family of the Great has 51 members (including the Great). (additional members of the partner chains are not counted) Some of them are member in more than one part of the extended family.

No family available

Great-grandparents

generation +3 relationship coefficient: 12.5% (Biological great-grandparents)

the Great has 3 great-grandfathers recorded.

Grandparents

generation +2 relationship coefficient: 25.0% (Biological grandparents)

the Great has 2 grandfathers recorded.

Uncles and Aunts

generation +1 relationship coefficient: 25.0% (Full siblings of biological parents)

the Great has no uncles or aunts recorded.

Uncles and Aunts by marriage

generation +1 no blood relationship

the Great has one uncle by marriage recorded.

Siblings-in-law of father (1)

Sister Oda von Sachsen

Parents

generation +1 relationship coefficient: 50.0% (Biological parents)

the Great has one father recorded.

Parents-in-law

generation +1 no blood relationship

the Great has 2 fathers-in-law recorded.

Co-parents-in-law

same generation no blood relationship

the Great has 2 co-fathers-in-law recorded.

Partners

same generation no blood relationship

the Great has no partners recorded.

Partner chains

same generation no blood relationship

the Great has no members of a partner chain recorded.

Siblings

same generation relationship coefficient: 50.0% (Full siblings)

the Great has no siblings recorded.

Siblings-in-law

same generation no blood relationship

the Great has 4 brothers-in-law recorded.

Co-siblings-in-law

same generation no blood relationship

the Great has 3 co-brothers-in-law recorded.

Cousins

same generation relationship coefficient: 12.5% (Children of full siblings of biological parents)

the Great has no first cousins recorded.

Nephews and Nieces

generation -1 relationship coefficient: 25.0% (Children of full siblings)

the Great has 4 nephews recorded.

Children

generation -1 relationship coefficient: 50.0% (Biological children)

the Great has 2 sons recorded.

Children-in-law

generation -1 no blood relationship

the Great has no children-in-law recorded.

Grandchildren

generation -2 relationship coefficient: 25.0% (Biological grandchildren)

the Great has no grandchildren recorded.

Grandchildren-in-law

generation -2 no blood relationship

the Great has 2 grandsons-in-law recorded.

Summary for the shown extended family

The extended family of the Great has 25 members (including the Great). (additional members of the partner chains are not counted) Some of them are member in more than one part of the extended family.

No family available

Great-grandparents

generation +3 relationship coefficient: 12.5% (Biological great-grandparents)

the Great has 2 great-grandmothers recorded.

Biological grandparents of father (1)

Parents Liudolf Duke of Saxony + Oda (Marriage) of Otto der Erlauchte Herzog von Sachsen
1 Oda 805913

Biological grandparents of mother (1)

Parents Reginhert Graf von Ringelheim + Matilda (Marriage) of Dietrich Graf von Ringelheim
1 Matilda

Grandparents

generation +2 relationship coefficient: 25.0% (Biological grandparents)

the Great has 2 grandmothers recorded.

Uncles and Aunts

generation +1 relationship coefficient: 25.0% (Full siblings of biological parents)

the Great has one aunt recorded.

Uncles and Aunts by marriage

generation +1 no blood relationship

the Great has no uncles or aunts by marriage recorded.

Parents

generation +1 relationship coefficient: 50.0% (Biological parents)

the Great has one mother recorded.

Parents-in-law

generation +1 no blood relationship

the Great has 2 mothers-in-law recorded.

Co-parents-in-law

same generation no blood relationship

the Great has 2 co-mothers-in-law recorded.

Partners

same generation no blood relationship

the Great has 2 female partners recorded.

Partner of the Great  (2)

Partner chains

same generation no blood relationship

the Great has no members of a partner chain recorded.

Siblings

same generation relationship coefficient: 50.0% (Full siblings)

the Great has 2 sisters recorded.

Siblings-in-law

same generation no blood relationship

the Great has 2 sisters-in-law recorded.

Siblings of partners (2)

Marriage with  Eadgyth of Wessex
1 Eadgifu of Wessex 896951

Co-siblings-in-law

same generation no blood relationship

the Great has one co-sister-in-law recorded.

Partners of siblings-in-law (1)

Partners of Conrad I the Peaceful King of Bourgogne 937-993
1 Mahaut de France 943982

Cousins

same generation relationship coefficient: 12.5% (Children of full siblings of biological parents)

the Great has one female first cousin recorded.

Children of full siblings of father (1)

Parents Gerhard Graf im Metzgau + Oda von Sachsen
1 Uda von Metz 963

Nephews and Nieces

generation -1 relationship coefficient: 25.0% (Children of full siblings)

the Great has 5 nieces recorded.

Children of siblings (3)

Sister Gerberga von Sachsen
1 Gerberga de Lorraine 930978
3 Mahaut de France 943982

Children of siblings of partners (2)

Brother Conrad I the Peaceful King of Bourgogne 937-993 of partner Saint Aelis de Bourgogne
1 Bertha de Bourgogne 9641010
2 Gerberge de Bourgogne 9651016

Children

generation -1 relationship coefficient: 50.0% (Biological children)

the Great has no children recorded.

Children-in-law

generation -1 no blood relationship

the Great has 2 daughters-in-law recorded.

Grandchildren

generation -2 relationship coefficient: 25.0% (Biological grandchildren)

the Great has 2 granddaughters recorded.

Grandchildren-in-law

generation -2 no blood relationship

the Great has no grandchildren-in-law recorded.

Summary for the shown extended family

The extended family of the Great has 27 members (including the Great). (additional members of the partner chains are not counted) Some of them are member in more than one part of the extended family.

No family available

No family available