Burchard II, Duke of Swabia (b. 883)

Burchard II (c. 883/884 – April 29, 926) emerged as a formidable figure in the early 10th-century Holy Roman Empire, a scion of the influential Hunfriding family. He proudly held the esteemed title of Duke of Swabia from 917 and also served as Count of Raetia, wielding significant power in the southern German lands. Born to Burchard I of Swabia and Liutgard of Saxony, his life was marked by turbulent political struggles, strategic alliances, and military campaigns that ultimately shaped the nascent German kingdom.

Hailing from a family deeply rooted in Franconia, Burchard II’s early years were inevitably intertwined with the volatile power dynamics that characterized Swabia. He participated in the region's initial conflicts, asserting his family's influence. To further extend this reach into the crucial Rhineland, he took the significant step of founding the convent of St. Margarethen in Waldkirch, a common practice among powerful nobles seeking to establish spiritual and political footholds. However, his family’s position was not without peril. In 911, his father, Burchard I, faced severe accusations of high treason, leading to his arrest and subsequent execution. This dramatic event forced Burchard II and his wife, Regelinda, a daughter of Count Eberhard I of Zürich, to seek refuge in Italy. Their journey over the Alps was either a banishment orchestrated by Count Erchanger, a rival figure, or a voluntary exile to their relatives, seeking safety amidst the political upheaval.

Circa 913, demonstrating resilience and ambition, Burchard II returned from his Italian exile. He swiftly re-established control over his ancestral properties and asserted his rights, signaling his intent to reclaim his family’s former prominence. By 915, he had forged crucial alliances, joining forces with Erchanger and Arnulf, the Duke of Bavaria, in a pivotal battle at Wahlwies. While this alliance initially saw Erchanger proclaimed duke, the intricate web of medieval politics soon shifted. Following Erchanger’s execution on January 21, 917, Burchard II acted decisively, seizing all of Erchanger’s lands. This strategic move, coupled with his existing power base, led to his universal recognition as the Duke of Swabia, marking a significant personal and regional ascendancy.

Burchard’s reign as duke was far from tranquil. In 919, King Rudolph II of Upper Burgundy, seeking to expand his own domain, encroached upon the county of Zürich and invaded the region around Konstanz, which was then a vital center and practical capital of the Swabian duchy. At Winterthur, however, Rudolph II met his match in Burchard. Burchard’s decisive victory not only repelled the Burgundian threat but also allowed him to consolidate his duchy, firmly establishing his territorial claims and forcing the king to acknowledge them. This same year proved critical for the broader German realm. Burchard II, demonstrating political acumen, formally recognized Henry the Fowler, the Duke of Saxony, as the newly elected King of Germany. In return for this crucial support, King Henry the Fowler bestowed upon Burchard significant regalian rights within his duchy, including rights of taxation and, notably, the right to invest bishops and abbots. These privileges significantly bolstered Burchard’s ducal authority, giving him greater control over both the secular and ecclesiastical powers within Swabia.

By 922, Burchard further solidified his alliances through a strategic marriage: his daughter Bertha was wed to King Rudolph II of Upper Burgundy, sealing the peace affirmed three years prior. This alliance then drew Burchard into the complex political landscape of Italy. When Rudolph was elected King of Italy by opponents of Emperor Berengar, Burchard accompanied his son-in-law south of the Alps. The Italian campaign, however, proved to be his last. In 924, following the death of Emperor Berengar, Hugh of Arles was elected by his partisans as a rival king to Rudolph. It was during a military engagement against this opposition that Burchard attacked Novara, which was defended by the troops of Lambert, the Archbishop of Milan. Here, in the throes of battle, Burchard II met his end, likely on April 29, 926. His widow, Regelinda (who passed away in 958), later remarried his successor, Herman I. Together, Burchard and Regelinda had five children, whose lives continued the legacy of powerful European nobility:

Frequently Asked Questions about Burchard II

Who was Burchard II?
Burchard II was a prominent medieval nobleman, serving as the Hunfriding Duke of Swabia from 917 and Count of Raetia. He was a key figure in the political and military landscape of the early 10th-century German kingdom.
How did Burchard II become Duke of Swabia?
After an initial period of exile following his father's execution for high treason, Burchard II returned to Swabia. He strategically allied himself with powerful figures, and following the execution of his rival, Erchanger, in 917, he seized Erchanger's lands and was universally recognized as duke.
What was the significance of his victory at Winterthur?
His victory at Winterthur in 919 against King Rudolph II of Upper Burgundy was crucial. It solidified his control over the Swabian duchy, allowing him to enforce his territorial claims and repel foreign encroachment, thereby strengthening his ducal authority.
What was Burchard II’s relationship with King Henry the Fowler?
Burchard II recognized Henry the Fowler as the newly elected King of Germany in 919. In return, King Henry granted Burchard significant rights within his duchy, including powers of taxation and the investiture of bishops and abbots, which greatly enhanced Burchard’s local power.
How did Burchard II die?
Burchard II died in 926 while on a military campaign in Italy. He was accompanying his son-in-law, Rudolph II, who had been elected King of Italy. Burchard was killed while attacking Novara, which was defended by the troops of Lambert, the Archbishop of Milan.
Who was Regelinda, Burchard II's wife?
Regelinda was the daughter of Count Eberhard I of Zürich and Burchard II's wife. She accompanied him during his early exile and bore him five children. After Burchard's death, she remarried to his successor, Herman I.
What was the Hunfriding family?
The Hunfriding family was a powerful noble lineage in the German kingdom during the early Middle Ages. They played a significant role in the political landscape of Swabia and other regions, with members holding ducal titles and other influential positions.