Who was Otto I, Holy Roman Emperor? Everything You Need to Know

Quick Facts

German Celebrities Born In November

Also Known As: Otto I, Otto the Great

Died At Age: 60

Family:

Spouse/Ex-: Adelaide of Italy (m. 951), Eadgyth of England (m. 930 – 946)

father: Henry the Fowler

mother: Matilda of Ringelheim

Born Country: Germany

Emperors & Kings German Men

Died on: May 7, 973

place of death: Memleben, Kaiserpfalz, Germany

Cause of Death: Fever

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1

Who was Otto I, Holy Roman Emperor?

Otto I, also known as Otto the Great, was a German king who became the Holy Roman Emperor in 962. He was a powerful ruler who greatly expanded the territories of the empire and strengthened its influence.
2

What were Otto I's major accomplishments as Holy Roman Emperor?

Otto I is known for his successful military campaigns, particularly in Italy, where he restored imperial control. He also worked to strengthen the authority of the monarchy, reorganize the church, and establish a system of government that would later become the basis for the Holy Roman Empire.
3

How did Otto I impact the political landscape of Europe during his reign?

Otto I's rule marked a significant period of consolidation and centralization of power in Europe. His efforts to assert imperial authority over the nobility and establish a strong monarchy helped shape the political structure of the Holy Roman Empire and influence the development of European states.
4

What was the significance of Otto I's coronation as Holy Roman Emperor?

Otto I's coronation as Holy Roman Emperor in 962 marked the revival of the title, which had been dormant for nearly 40 years. This event symbolized the reestablishment of the Roman Empire in the West and Otto's position as the rightful ruler of a unified Christian empire.
5

How did Otto I's reign contribute to the cultural and intellectual development of the Holy Roman Empire?

Otto I's support for the church and promotion of learning helped foster a period of cultural and intellectual growth within the Holy Roman Empire. The establishment of monasteries, schools, and libraries under his rule contributed to the preservation and dissemination of knowledge throughout the realm.

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Childhood & Early Life

Otto I was born on 23 November 912, to the Duke of Saxony, Henry the Fowler and Matilda, his second wife and the daughter of a Saxon count in Westphalia. He had four full siblings.

His first military experience was as a commander during a German-Wendish battle in 929. During this time, he also became a father for the first time when a captive Wendish noblewoman gave birth to his illegitimate son, William.

In 930, Otto I was married to Eadgyth, King Æthelstan of England’s half-sister and Edward the Elder’s daughter.

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Accession & Reign

In 936, after the death of his father, Otto I became the Duke of Saxony and King of Germany. After becoming the king, he chose Hermann Billung as Margrave, and this angered Billung’s brother, Count Wichmann the Elder.

Otto selected Gero as the count of a territory around Merseburg. He also fought against Eberhard, son of Arnulf, Duke of Bavaria. After defeating him, the king made Eberhard's uncle Berthold the new Duke of Bavaria.

Angered, Eberhard joined Archbishop Frederick of Mainz and Otto’s half-brother Thankmar, all of whom planned a revolt against Otto in 938. The revolt ended after Thankmar was killed, and Eberhard, Frederick, and Wichmann reconciled with the king.

Shortly after the reconciliation, Eberhard collaborated with Gilbert, Duke of Lorraine, and Otto’s younger brother Henry to again plan a rebellion against the king. Otto exiled Henry who fled to King Louis IV.

This led to a war between Otto and the opposing group of Louis, Henry, Eberhard, and Gilbert. Otto allied with Louis' antagonist Hugh the Great and defeated the opposition army.

On 2 October 939, he killed Eberhard at the Battle of Andernach, and Gilbert eventually drowned in a river while trying to escape. The end of the battle resulted in the reconciliation of Otto and his brother Henry.

Between 941 and 951, Otto became the undisputed master of his kingdom. During this time, he also briefly exiled his mother who disapproved of his policy. The other family members who rebelled against him were also forced to surrender to him and beg for mercy.

During his reign, the king managed to strengthen his foreign relations. He helped Louis IV reconcile with Hugh the Great through marriage bonds within his family. He developed a peaceful relationship with the Kingdom of Burgundy and also with Boleslaus I, Duke of Bohemia.

Rule in Italy

The death of Emperor Charles the Fat in 888 led to the partition of Charlemagne into many regions, including Lower and Upper Burgundy, East and West Francia, and the Kingdom of Italy.

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After the assassination of Berengar I of Italy in 924, the imperial title was left unclaimed. This led to Hugh, ruler of Lower Burgundy and King Rudolf II of Upper Burgundy battle against each other to acquire the throne.

In 926, Hugh became the King of Italy after defeating Rudolf. His son Lothair joined the kingdom as the co-ruler.

In 940, King Berengar I’s grandson Berengar II fought against Hugh who exiled him from Italy. Berengar II, who initially fled to Otto's court, later returned to Italy where he defeated Hugh. After Hugh’s death, Berengar II continued to serve as mayor of the palace ruled by Hugh’s son Lothair.

On 22 November 950, Berengar II became the new king of Italy after Lothair’s death. His son Adalbert of Italy became the co-ruler.

In 951, Otto’s son Liudolf invaded Lombardy in northern Italy without informing his father. To save him from the opposition, Otto arrived in Italy and was eventually crowned as the king of Italy after Berengar II fled from his capital.

Soon after becoming the king of Italy, Otto faced opposition from Archbishop Frederick of Mainz, his long-time domestic rival. The king returned to Germany in 952 and appointed Conrad, his son-in-law, as his regent in Italy.

Otto then entered into a peace agreement with Berengar II according to which he would give him the title of king of Italy and would himself reign as his overlord.

Dominance Over the Catholic Church

In the late 940s, Otto started to use the Roman Catholic Church to expand his dominance over the kingdom. He became the protector of the church and invested many bishops with the symbols of office.

The implementation of this new internal policy began with his own brother Bruno the Great who was chosen as Archbishop of Cologne in 953. His illegitimate son William of Mainz was made Archbishop Adaldag of Bremen. The king’s personal appointments in the church strengthened his central authority.

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The Father-Son Rebellion

The embarrassing aftermath of his Italian campaign made Liudolf turn against his father. He joined hands with Conrad and planned a rebellion against him.

After the birth of his son Henry from his second wife, Otto quickly drew criticism from German nobles who thought the king’s policy has become Italian-centered.

Otto eventually decided to battle Liudolf and Conrad and managed to defeat them. He, however, struggled to seize their territories. Thus, the king opened peace negotiations with them.

Conrad and Liudolf initially continued the civil war but were later forced to give up after the death of Conrad’s wife and Otto's only daughter, Liutgarde.

After Liudolf surrendered to the king, a peace agreement was signed between the two parties that restored Liudolf’s regency over Italy. These measures finally concluded the civil war.

Reign As Emperor

After the death of his son Liudolf and his brother Henry I, Duke of Bavaria, Otto I faced rebellion from Berengar II who attacked the March of Verona as well as the Papal States and the city of Rome under Pope John XII. The pope then sought the king’s help to fight against Berengar II. Otto agreed to lend aid in return of the title of the emperor.

Otto reached northern Italy in 961 and moved towards Pavia where he proclaimed himself the king of Italy. The following year, he reached Rome and was crowned as the emperor by the pope.

Otto eventually defeated Berengar II in 963 and re-conquered Italy. Seeing his successful campaign, the pope started to fear his rising power in Italy. He planned a plot against the king but was eventually captured by the latter.

After Pope John XII’s death in 964, the Romans elected Pope Benedict V as the new pope. Otto later fought against Berengar II’s son Adalbert and defeated him, once against restoring his dominance over Italy.

Personal Life & Legacy

Otto had two wives. His first wife was Eadgyth of England with whom he had two sons, Liudolf and Liutgarde. After Eadgyth’s death, the king married Adelaide of Italy with whom he had Henry, Bruno, Matilda, and Otto II.

He also had an illegitimate son named William.

On 7 May 973, the king died after receiving his last sacraments, at the age of 60. After his death, Otto II became the new king of Germany.

Facts About Otto I, Holy Roman Emperor

Otto I, Holy Roman Emperor, was known for his love of hunting and spent much of his time pursuing game in the forests of Germany.

Otto I was a devout Christian and played a significant role in the spread of Christianity throughout the Holy Roman Empire.

Otto I was a skilled diplomat and negotiator, forging alliances with neighboring kingdoms to strengthen his position as emperor.

Otto I was an avid patron of the arts and supported the construction of many churches and monasteries during his reign.

Otto I was a dedicated family man, known for his close relationships with his wife and children, and for promoting the education and well-being of his offspring.

Otto I, Holy Roman Emperor Biography

You wanted to know

Who was Otto I, Holy Roman Emperor?

What were Otto I's major accomplishments as Holy Roman Emperor?

How did Otto I impact the political landscape of Europe during his reign?

What was the significance of Otto I's coronation as Holy Roman Emperor?

How did Otto I's reign contribute to the cultural and intellectual development of the Holy Roman Empire?