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Henry IIDuke of Bavaria in 955-976 and 985-995. from the Saxon dynasty.
Country:
 Germany |
Content:
Biography of Henry II the Quarrelsome
Henry II the Quarrelsome (German: Heinrich der Zänker; 951–995) was a Duke of Bavaria from the Saxon dynasty. He earned his nickname due to his multiple rebellions against the Holy Roman Emperors.
Early Life
Henry II was the son of Henry I, the Duke of Bavaria, and Judith of Bavaria from the Luitpoldinger dynasty. He was the nephew of Emperor Otto I the Great. When his father died, Henry was only four years old, and his mother Judith ruled Bavaria on his behalf.
Rebellions and Exile
At the age of nineteen, Henry II organized a conspiracy against Emperor Otto II in 974, aiming to seize the throne of Germany. However, the rebellion was discovered, and Henry was imprisoned in Ingelheim. He managed to escape and return to Bavaria, where he started another uprising. In 976, imperial forces invaded the duchy and defeated Henry II. He was forced to flee, and the Bavarian crown was given to Otto II's nephew, Otto of Swabia. Additionally, Henry's rebellion led to the division of the Bavarian territory, with Eastern March (future Austria) and Carinthia separating from Bavaria and gaining independence.
War of the Three Henrys
Losing the throne did not stop Henry II. In 977, he initiated the so-called War of the Three Henrys, a new uprising of Bavarian aristocracy against the emperor. The defeat of this rebellion in 978 meant the submission of Bavaria to central authority and the decline of its significance as one of the five main tribal duchies of Germany. Henry was arrested and placed under the supervision of the Bishop of Utrecht. Only after the death of Emperor Otto II, Henry the Quarrelsome regained his freedom but immediately rebelled against the underage Emperor Otto III. Although he failed to seize the German throne once again, Bavaria was returned to him in 985, and Carinthia in 989. The crown of Germany, however, could only be obtained by Henry the Quarrelsome's son, Henry IV.
Legacy
Henry II the Quarrelsome's descendants played important roles in the history of the Holy Roman Empire. His son, Henry IV, became Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire, and his other children held positions such as Duke of Lower Lorraine, Bishop of Augsburg, and Queen of Hungary. Despite his turbulent life and failed attempts to become Emperor, Henry II's influence continued through his descendants.
