Lothair II (aug 30, 1125 – dec 4, 1137)

Description:

Duke of Saxony from 1106, elected King of Germany in 1125, Holy Roman Emperor from 1133 until his death. His reign was troubled by the constant intriguing of the Hohenstaufens, Duke Frederick II of Swabia and Duke Conrad of Franconia. After the death of Emperor Henry V in 1125, Lothair was viewed by the Imperial chancellor, the Archbishop of Mainz, as a perfect candidate. As an extensive landowner all over Saxony, he brought power to the table, but he was old (slightly over fifty years of age) and had no male issue, potentially making him malleable for the nobility. He was therefore elected King of the Romans after a contentious power struggle with Frederick II, Duke of Swabia. His election was notable in that it marked a departure from the concept of hereditary succession. Somewhat naive concerning the complex power struggle between the papacy and the empire, Lothair also consented to several symbolic acts that were subsequently interpreted by Rome as signaling acceptance of papal confirmation of his position. He died while returning from a successful campaign against the Norman Kingdom of Sicily. After Lothair's death in 1137, the Hohenstaufen Conrad was elected King as Conrad III.

Added to timeline:

Date: