Frederick I, Duke of Lorraine
Frederick I of Lorraine: A Brief but Pivotal Reign
Frederick I (c. 1143 – 7 April 1206), known in French as Ferry or Ferri, served as the Duke of Lorraine from 1205 until his death a year later. His lineage placed him as the second son of Duke Matthias I of Lorraine and Bertha, who was also known as Judith. Bertha herself hailed from a distinguished background, being the daughter of Frederick II, Duke of Swabia, which connected Frederick I to one of the most powerful ducal houses in the Holy Roman Empire.
The Contested Inheritance and the Treaty of Ribemont
Frederick I's path to the ducal throne was anything but straightforward, marked by a period of significant familial strife. Upon the death of his father, Matthias I, in 1176, his elder brother, Simon II, succeeded to the ducal title. However, their mother, Judith, held strong ambitions for Frederick, desiring that he inherit the entirety of their father's dominion. This maternal preference ignited a three-year civil war within the Duchy, a complex struggle for control over the valuable territories and influence that comprised Lorraine.
Despite his mother's fervent support, the outcome of this conflict was a compromise rather than a full victory for Frederick. In 1176, during the initial stages of the dispute, Simon II had already granted Frederick the County of Bitche, a territory that would remain an important part of his holdings. The civil war ultimately concluded with the pivotal Treaty of Ribemont in 1179. This treaty formally recognized Frederick I's authority over the northern, German-speaking (germanophone) half of Lorraine, while Simon II retained control of the southern, French-speaking (romanophone) territories. This division, though it secured him a significant "half-portion" of the duchy, fell short of Judith's original aspiration for him to inherit the whole.
Accession to the Duchy and Brief Reign
For decades, Frederick I governed his portion of Lorraine while his brother, Simon II, ruled the other. A significant turning point occurred in 1205 when Simon II, choosing a spiritual path, decided to retire from secular life and enter a monastery. In an unexpected move, Simon II designated Frederick I's son, also named Frederick, as his successor to the entire Duchy, seemingly bypassing his brother. However, fate had other plans. Frederick I, the father, ultimately inherited the unified Duchy of Lorraine upon Simon's retirement, stepping into the ducal role he had long sought. His reign, however, was exceptionally brief. He passed away only a year later, in 1206.
Marriage and Illustrious Progeny
Frederick I's marriage was strategically significant, connecting the Duchy of Lorraine with powerful Eastern European nobility. He married Wierzchoslawa Ludmilla (1150–1223), a daughter of Mieszko III the Old, who was not only the Duke of Greater Poland but also the High Duke of all Poland. This alliance brought considerable prestige and potential influence to the ducal house of Lorraine. Together, Frederick I and Wierzchoslawa Ludmilla had numerous children who would go on to shape the political, ecclesiastical, and social landscape of their time:
- Frederick: His direct successor as Duke of Lorraine, ensuring the continuation of his line.
- Thierry the Devil (le Diable): Lord of Autigny, he married Gertrude de Montmorency, a daughter of Mathieu II le Grand, the influential Constable of France, further cementing ties with prominent French noble families.
- Henry the Lombard: Notable for overseeing the construction of the impressive castle of Bayon, a significant architectural and defensive undertaking.
- Philip (died 1243): He held the title of Lord of Gerbéviller.
- Matthias (1170–1217): Pursued an ecclesiastical career, rising to become the Bishop of Toul.
- Agatha (died 1242): Served as the Abbess of Remiremont, leading an important monastic community.
- Judith: She married Henry II, Count of Salm, forging an alliance with another significant regional noble house.
- Hediwge (died 1228): Became the wife of Henry I, Count of Zweibrücken.
- Cunigunda: Married Waleran III of Limburg, connecting the Lorraine ducal house to the Duchy of Limburg.
FAQs about Frederick I of Lorraine
Who was Frederick I of Lorraine?
Frederick I, also known as Ferry or Ferri, was the Duke of Lorraine from 1205 until his death in 1206. He was the second son of Matthias I and Bertha (Judith) of Swabia, and his reign was notable for his long struggle to secure his inheritance.
How did Frederick I become Duke of Lorraine?
Frederick I inherited the Duchy of Lorraine after his elder brother, Simon II, retired to a monastery in 1205. This followed decades of him ruling the northern, German-speaking half of Lorraine, which he secured through the Treaty of Ribemont in 1179 after a civil war with Simon II.
What was the Treaty of Ribemont?
The Treaty of Ribemont, signed in 1179, was a significant agreement that ended a three-year civil war between Frederick I and his brother Simon II over their father's inheritance. It resulted in the division of the Duchy of Lorraine, with Frederick receiving the northern, German-speaking portion and Simon retaining the southern, French-speaking part.
Who was Frederick I's wife?
Frederick I was married to Wierzchoslawa Ludmilla (1150–1223), a princess from Poland. She was the daughter of Mieszko III the Old, who was the Duke of Greater Poland and High Duke of all Poland, making it a prominent and strategic alliance.
How long did Frederick I rule as Duke of Lorraine?
Frederick I's full reign as the unified Duke of Lorraine was very brief, lasting only about one year, from 1205 until his death on April 7, 1206.
Who succeeded Frederick I?
Frederick I was succeeded by his son, also named Frederick, who became Duke Frederick II of Lorraine. This succession ensured the continuation of his line in the ducal office.
What was the significance of the division of Lorraine?
The division of Lorraine by the Treaty of Ribemont in 1179 was significant because it formally acknowledged and solidified a linguistic and cultural split within the duchy. It carved the territory into a German-speaking (germanophone) north and a French-speaking (romanophone) south, a distinction that would have lasting implications for the region's identity and governance.