Siegfried I of Ballenstedt
Coat of arms of the Counts of Ballenstedt
Bornc. 1075
Died9 March 1113
Noble familyHouse of Ascania
Spouse(s)Gertrude of Northeim
IssueSiegfried II of Weimar-Orlamünde
Adela of Weimar-Orlamünde
William of Weimar-Orlamünde
FatherAdalbert II of Ballenstedt
MotherAdelaide of Weimar-Orlamünde

Siegfried I of Ballenstedt (c. 1075 – 9 March 1113), was the son of Adalbert II of Ballenstedt, and a member of the House of Ascania. He was count palatine of the Rhineland (r.1095/7-1113), and count of Weimar-Orlamünde (r.1112-1113).

Life

Siegfried was born around 1075. He was the son of Adalbert II of Ballenstedt and Adelaide of Weimar-Orlamünde, daughter of Otto I of Meissen and his wife, Adela of Louvain.[1] Siegfried's father, Adalbert, was murdered by Egeno II of Konradsburg in 1080, and Siegfried's brother, Otto the Rich, succeeded him as count of Ballenstedt.[2] Siegfried inherited his father's property in Nordthüringengau.[3]

After Adalbert's death, Siegfried's mother remarried twice, to two successive counts palatine of the Rhineland: first, Hermann II (d.1085), and then Henry of Laach (d.1095).[4] After Henry's death, Siegfried claimed his title of count palatine of the Rhineland (r.1095/7-1113).[5]

Influenced by the First Crusade, Siegfried is thought to have travelled to Jerusalem.[6] In 1112 he is also said to have completed the foundation of Maria Laach Abbey, begun in 1093 by his mother, Adelaide, and his stepfather, Henry of Laach.[7]

In 1112 Ulric II of Weimar-Orlamünde died without heirs. By virtue of his mother, Adelaide's, kinship, Siegfried then claimed Ulric's title.[8] This led Siegfried into conflict with Emperor Henry V. Imperial partisans attacked Siegfried at the Teufelsmauer in the Harz on 21 February 1113. Siegfried survived the attack, but died of his injuries on 9 March 1113.[9]

Marriage and children

Siegfried married Gertrude, a daughter of Henry, Margrave of Frisia, with whom he had three children:[10]

References

Notes

  1. ^ Jackman 2012, p. 33.
  2. ^ Loud & Schenk 2017, p. xxvi.
  3. ^ Thiele, Erzählende genealogische Stammtafeln, table 158.
  4. ^ Partenheimer, Albrecht der Bär, pp. 285f.; Thiele, Erzählende genealogische Stammtafeln, table 167.
  5. ^ Partenheimer, Albrecht der Bär, p. 287; Thiele, Erzählende genealogische Stammtafeln, table 158.
  6. ^ Annales Lacensis - Wikisource
  7. ^ Thiele, Erzählende genealogische Stammtafeln, table 158.
  8. ^ Loud & Schenk 2017, p. xxvi
  9. ^ Ekkehardi Chronica, a.1113, p. 261; Thiele, Erzählende genealogische Stammtafeln, table 158.
  10. ^ Dendorfer, 'Si(e)gfrid,' p. 345.
Siegfried of Ballenstedt House of AscaniaBorn: c. 1155 Died: 1206 Preceded byHenry of Laach Count Palatine of the Rhineland 1095/7-1113 Succeeded byGodfrey of Calw Preceded byUlric II Count of Weimar-Orlamünde 1112-1113 Succeeded bySiegfried II of Weimar-Orlamünde
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