Conrad III of Germany
Who was Conrad III of Germany?
Hohenstaufen dynasty king (r. 1138–1152)
Biographical data adapted from Wikipedia’s article on Conrad III of Germany (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Biography
Conrad III of Germany was born in Bamberg in 1093 or 1094 to Duke Frederick I of Swabia and Agnes, daughter of Emperor Henry IV. As part of the Hohenstaufen family, he gained significant political power and lands in the Holy Roman Empire. He started his political career in 1116 when he became Duke of Franconia, a role he held until 1120, giving him important administrative experience and positioning him as a notable figure among German nobles.
Conrad's journey to becoming king involved long battles and political strategies. After Emperor Henry V died in 1125, Conrad opposed Lothair III's election and declared himself anti-king in 1127. The civil war that followed lasted until 1135, with Conrad holding onto his claim with backing from various nobles. This conflict showed the deep-rooted tensions between rival dynastic claims and regional power struggles in the Holy Roman Empire.
When Lothair III died in 1137, Conrad was chosen as King of the Romans in 1138, finally gaining clear royal authority. His reign was marked by conflicts with the Welf family, especially over control of Bavaria, and the start of the Guelph-Ghibelline conflict that would shape German politics for years to come. Conrad married twice: first to Gertrude of Comburg, then to Gertrude of Sulzbach, to build political alliances.
The Second Crusade was Conrad's most ambitious venture. Setting off for the Holy Land in 1147 with Louis VII of France, Conrad led a large German force through Anatolia. However, the effort was disastrous for the Germans, who faced a severe defeat at the Battle of Dorylaeum against the Seljuk Turks. Conrad himself became very ill and had to recover in Constantinople. He eventually reached Jerusalem, but the military operations there did not succeed, and the crusade ended in failure.
In his final years, Conrad focused on strengthening royal authority and planning for succession. Instead of naming his own son Frederick IV, Duke of Swabia, as heir, Conrad chose his nephew Frederick Barbarossa on his deathbed in 1152. This decision accounted for both practical political reasons and Frederick Barbarossa's qualifications for leadership. Conrad died in Bamberg on February 15, 1152, after ruling for fourteen years and solidifying the Hohenstaufen family's control over the German throne.
Before Fame
Conrad grew up in the influential Hohenstaufen family and was caught in the political struggles that followed Emperor Henry V's death. Born into high-ranking German nobility, he became the Duke of Franconia in 1116. This title gave him a political base during the chaotic 1120s and 1130s. When Lothair III was elected in 1125 amid disputes, Conrad saw a chance to push his own claims to power.
The lead-up to Conrad becoming king was filled with civil war and shifting alliances among nobles. He chose to challenge Lothair III for almost eight years, showing his political resolve and the backing he received from some German nobles. This long struggle set him up for the demands of ruling and confirmed him as a rightful Hohenstaufen contender for the throne.
Key Achievements
- Established the Hohenstaufen dynasty on the German throne in 1138
- Successfully maintained his anti-kingship against Lothair III for eight years (1127-1135)
- Led the German contingent of the Second Crusade alongside Louis VII of France
- Consolidated royal authority after years of civil conflict and dynastic disputes
- Strategically chose Frederick Barbarossa as successor, ensuring dynastic continuity
Did You Know?
- 01.Conrad III was never formally crowned as Holy Roman Emperor by the Pope, holding only the title King of the Romans throughout his reign
- 02.During the Second Crusade, Conrad's army was so decimated at Dorylaeum that he had to travel to Jerusalem on a Byzantine ship rather than overland
- 03.He was the first Hohenstaufen to rule as German king, establishing a dynasty that would dominate the Holy Roman Empire for over a century
- 04.Conrad's decision to bypass his own son in favor of his nephew Frederick Barbarossa was made on his deathbed and proved crucial for the dynasty's future success
- 05.His conflict with Lothair III lasted eight years, making it one of the longest periods of disputed kingship in medieval German history