Conrad II, Duke of Swabia

Conrad II ( born February / March 1172; † August 15, 1196 in Durlach ) was Duke of Rothenburg ( 1189-1191 ) and Duke of Swabia ( 1191-1196 ). He was the fifth son of Emperor Frederick I Barbarossa and his second wife Beatrice of Burgundy.

Life

Konrad was Lord of White Castle and Eger, received in 1189 the Hohenstaufen house goods to the Rothenburg in Central Franconia and is therefore also called Konrad von Rothenburg.

Already in May 1187 the imperial negotiations for the marriage of Conrad began with the Hereditary Princess Berenguela of Castile. In July 1188, the wedding took place in Carrión near Burgos. However, the marriage was never consummated, as the ten -year-old bride does not, as agreed, at Christmas 1190 came at the Hohenstaufen court because of renewed clashes with the Guelphs. 1191 was the marriage then by Pope Celestine III. dissolved. This was due to negotiations Eleanor of Aquitaine, who allied with France Staufer isolated diplomatically in this way.

Conrad moved, meanwhile, with the army under the command of his brother Henry VI. to Rome at its imperial coronation on 15 April 1191st After being crowned the army set off to conquer the Norman kingdom in Sicily. Due to the broken in August 1191 malaria epidemic of campaign in Naples was canceled. In the same year, Konrad received his knighthood and was appointed Duke of Swabia. In 1194 he accompanied Henry VI. again in the (this time successful ) conquest of the Norman kingdom of Sicily. Conrad's military capabilities have been praised by the chroniclers of this campaign. After he returned to Germany, he fell on August 15, 1196 Durlach an assassination victim. The causes of this assassination are not clear. Hypothetically, it is assumed that it was an act of revenge of a married man whose wife is said to have raped Konrad.

Conrad II was buried in Lorch monastery.