Conrad III (mar 31, 1138 – feb 15, 1152)

Description:

Son of Duke Frederick I of Swabia and Agnes, a daughter of the Salian Emperor Henry IV. At the death of Henry V in 1125, Conrad had unsuccessfully supported his elder brother Frederick II of Swabia for the kingship of Germany. After Lothair's death in 1137, Conrad was elected king at Coblenz on 7 March 1138. In 1146, Conrad heard Bernard of Clairvaux preach the Second Crusade at Speyer, and he agreed to join Louis VII in a great expedition to the Holy Land. Conrad was never crowned emperor and continued to style himself "King of the Romans" until his death. On his deathbed, in the presence of only two witnesses, his nephew Frederick Barbarossa and the Bishop of Bamberg, he allegedly designated Frederick his successor, rather than his own surviving six-year-old son Frederick. Frederick Barbarossa, who had accompanied his uncle on the unfortunate crusade, forcefully pursued his advantage and was duly elected king in Cologne a few weeks later. The young son of the late king was given the Duchy of Swabia.

Added to timeline:

Date: