Henry of Laach
Henry II of Laach (* 1050, † October 23, 1095 at Castle Laach ), of the house Gleiberg - Luxembourg, was of 1085 or at the latest from 1087 until his death, first Count Palatine of the Rhine. He was married to Adelaide of Weimar- Orlamünde (* 1055, † March 28, 1100 ).
Descent
Henry was probably a grandson of Count Friedrich in Moselle district and a grandnephew of Empress Cunegonde. Henry's father Dietrich to have been the fifth of six sons, and is, unlike his much more famous older brothers, only 1012 and 1057 testifies. From it inherited Heinrich southern area at Laacher See, on the east bank he built his castle Laach, after he called himself the only "from Laach ".
Henry was Count in Mayengau and Engersgau. He stood ( as other Luxembourg except anti-king Hermann of Salm ) on the side of the Emperor Henry IV in his conflict with the rebellious princes to the anti-king Rudolf of Rheinfelden and fought on the Henry's page IV in the decisive battle of Hohenmolsen in 1080. Similarly, he supported the emperor then against the new anti-king Hermann of Salm.
Palatine
After the death of the last Ezzonen, Count Palatine Herman II of Lorraine, in 1085 Henry married his widow, Adelheid († 1100), which brought him the County Palatine as a dowry in the marriage and the Emperor Henry IV to him as a reward for his loyalty confirmed. Thus began the shift of the County Palatine to the south, and it was Henry who called himself the first " Count Palatine of the Rhine ". In 1090 he served as regent for staying in Italy emperor.
Successor
Adelheid had been married in first marriage with the Ascanians Adalbert II ( Ballenstedt ). Heinrich adopted her son from this marriage, Siegfried von Ballenstedt, after the death of Henry in 1099, his successor as Count Palatine of the Rhine was.
Foundation of Convent Laach
In 1093 founded Henry and Adelaide on the southwestern shore of the Laacher See in the Eifel towards his castle Laach the " Abbey Laach " as " Abbatia ad Lacum " ( " Abbey on the Lake" ), which was renamed later in 1863 by the Jesuits in Khajuraho. In some sources from earlier centuries the name " St. immersed Maria ad Lacum "on. Henry vowed:
"In the name of the holy and undivided Trinity. I, Henry, by the grace of God Count Palatine of the Rhine and the Lord of Laach, to secure peace to the humble in spirit we are doing all Christ and faithful, Future, like the present, made known: Since I am childless, I have the consent and participation of my wife Adelheid for the salvation of my soul and to obtain eternal life on my paternal heritage, namely in Laach, in honor of the holy Virgin Mary and of St. Nicholas monastery founded as a residence for those who follow the monastic rule. In the presence and under the witness of the Lord healing Bert, the venerable Archbishop of Trier, I have this prepares a dowry from their own goods ... "
In order for the future monastery received a double patronage. The first monks and builders came from the monastery of St. Maximin in Trier Trier at the instigation of Archbishop Engelbert of Rothenburg, who was present at the foundation stone was laid and the project supported benevolent. His name is recorded in the deed of foundation.
The work was probably continued after Henry's death in 1095 by his widow Adelaide and found only after her death in 1100 in Echternach first interruption. The foundations for crypt, nave, crossing tower and Ostwerk were created, the masonry was partially listed more than three meters. It was not until 1112 Henry renewed stepson and heir, Count Palatine Siegfried, the foundation and let the construction work to resume. 1127 Giselbert was appointed by Affligem Abbey Affligem in Brabant from as Prior after Laach, which was first of Affligem dependent priory. In 1138 he became the first abbot of the abbey then independent Laach († 1152 Laach and buried there ).