Otto I
The Wittelsbach (pronounced “vittels-baak”) family, who ruled the German territories of Bavaria from 1180 to 1918, was the longest ruling dynasty of Europe.
The first Duke of Bavaria was Otto I (Born 1117 in Kelheim – Died July, 11 1183 in Pfullendorf).
To the left is a statue in Munich of Otto I on horseback.
Called "The Redhead," Otto I was appointed Herzog (Duke) by the Emperor Frederick I in 1180.
The Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation was established in Rome on Christmas Day in the year 800 when Pope Leo III placed the imperial crown on the head of Charlemagne, who was a Bavarian according to some historians, born in 742 in the castle of Carlsberg in Upper Bavaria.
In the feudal hierarchy of the Holy Roman Empire, the Emperor sits at the top and the ranks below, in descending order, are King, Prince, Grand Duke, Duke, Margrave, Count, Viscount, and Baron.
The Wittelsbachs were originally counts, named after their castle at Pfaffenhofen, until the Holy Roman Emperor Frederick Barbarossa elevated Otto of Wittelsbach to the level of duke in 1180.
Otto I reigned as duke for only three years and was followed by his son, Ludwig I who ruled from 1183 until 1231.
Subsequent Ottos and Ludwigs followed, but the next Wittelsbach of consequence was Ludwig IV, called Ludwig der Bayer, Ludwig the Bavarian, a pejorative term bestowed on him by Pope John XXII.
The first Duke of Bavaria was Otto I (Born 1117 in Kelheim – Died July, 11 1183 in Pfullendorf).
To the left is a statue in Munich of Otto I on horseback.
Called "The Redhead," Otto I was appointed Herzog (Duke) by the Emperor Frederick I in 1180.
The Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation was established in Rome on Christmas Day in the year 800 when Pope Leo III placed the imperial crown on the head of Charlemagne, who was a Bavarian according to some historians, born in 742 in the castle of Carlsberg in Upper Bavaria.
In the feudal hierarchy of the Holy Roman Empire, the Emperor sits at the top and the ranks below, in descending order, are King, Prince, Grand Duke, Duke, Margrave, Count, Viscount, and Baron.
The Wittelsbachs were originally counts, named after their castle at Pfaffenhofen, until the Holy Roman Emperor Frederick Barbarossa elevated Otto of Wittelsbach to the level of duke in 1180.
Otto I reigned as duke for only three years and was followed by his son, Ludwig I who ruled from 1183 until 1231.
Subsequent Ottos and Ludwigs followed, but the next Wittelsbach of consequence was Ludwig IV, called Ludwig der Bayer, Ludwig the Bavarian, a pejorative term bestowed on him by Pope John XXII.
