Henry II, Duke of Brabant (b. 1207)

Henry II of Brabant, known in Dutch as Hendrik and in French as Henri, was a pivotal figure in the medieval history of the Low Countries and the Holy Roman Empire. Born in 1207, he succeeded his father, Henry I "the Magnanimous," as Duke of Brabant and Lothier in 1235. His mother was Matilda of Boulogne, a connection that further solidified his family's standing among European nobility. Henry II's reign, which concluded with his death in Leuven on February 1, 1248, at approximately 40 years of age, was marked by strategic political alliances and a complex web of dynastic marriages that profoundly influenced the future of the region.

The Duchy of Brabant, during Henry II's era, was a flourishing and strategically vital territory. Situated in the heart of the Low Countries, it served as a significant economic powerhouse, renowned for its burgeoning cloth industry and vibrant cities like Leuven, Brussels, and Antwerp. This geographic and economic prominence positioned its duke, Henry II, as an influential player in the broader European political landscape.

Political Engagements and Imperial Ambitions

A notable aspect of Henry II's ducal reign was his active involvement in the turbulent politics of the Holy Roman Empire. He notably provided staunch support for his sister Mathilde's son, William II of Holland, in his bid for election as King of Germany. This endorsement occurred during the tumultuous period known as the Great Interregnum (1245-1273), a time of significant imperial weakness and political fragmentation following the deposition of Emperor Frederick II Hohenstaufen. William II was a prominent anti-king, backed by the papal faction against the Hohenstaufens. Henry II's support for William underscored his alignment with the anti-imperial party and highlighted Brabant's growing political clout within the Empire.

Dynastic Marriages and Family Legacy

Henry II's two marriages were instrumental in forging powerful alliances and expanding the dynastic influence of the House of Brabant.

First Marriage: Marie of Hohenstaufen

His first marriage was to Marie of Hohenstaufen, born on April 3, 1207, and passing away in Leuven in 1235. Marie was the daughter of Philip of Swabia, who was briefly King of Germany and a son of Emperor Frederick I Barbarossa, and Irene Angelina, a Byzantine princess. This union provided Henry II with direct ties to one of the most powerful imperial dynasties of the time, the Hohenstaufens, even as their influence was beginning to wane.

Together, Henry II and Marie had six children, whose strategic marriages further cemented Brabant's standing:

• Henry III, Duke of Brabant (d. 1261): He succeeded his father as Duke of Brabant, continuing the ducal line.
• Philip: Unfortunately, Philip died young and did not reach adulthood.
• Matilda of Brabant (1224 – September 29, 1288): Her marital alliances were particularly significant, linking the Brabant ducal house to powerful French nobility:
  • On June 14, 1237, in Compiègne, she married Robert I of Artois, a son of Louis VIII of France and Blanche of Castile. This marriage established a direct connection to the French royal family.
  • Before May 31, 1254, she married Guy II of Châtillon, Count of Saint Pol, further strengthening her family's ties within the French aristocracy.
• Beatrix (1225 – November 11, 1288): Her marriages reflected Brabant's complex engagement with both imperial and regional politics:
  • At Creuzburg on March 10, 1241, she married Heinrich Raspe, Landgrave of Thuringia. Heinrich Raspe later became an anti-king in Germany during the Interregnum, making this another politically charged alliance.
  • In Leuven in November 1247, she married William III of Dampierre, Count of Flanders (1224 – June 6, 1251). This union was crucial for diplomatic relations with the neighboring and often rival County of Flanders.
• Maria of Brabant (c. 1226 – January 18, 1256, Donauwörth): Her life ended tragically. She married Louis II, Duke of Upper Bavaria, famously known as "Louis the Strict." On suspicion of infidelity—a misunderstanding involving misdirected letters—she was unjustly beheaded by her husband in a notorious incident that sent shockwaves through European courts. Louis II later expressed remorse for his actions and founded a Cistercian monastery in atonement.
• Margaret (d. March 14, 1277): She chose a religious life, becoming the Abbess of Valduc Abbey (Hertogendal), a Cistercian nunnery, thereby contributing to the ecclesiastical influence of the Brabant lineage.

Second Marriage: Sophie of Thuringia

Following Marie's death, Henry II entered into a second marriage with Sophie of Thuringia, born on March 20, 1224, and who passed away on May 29, 1275. Sophie was a daughter of Ludwig IV of Thuringia and Saint Elisabeth of Hungary, a venerated figure known for her piety and charitable works. This marriage brought an important connection to the spiritual and princely houses of Central Europe.

Henry II and Sophie had two children, both of whom played significant roles in the shaping of the Holy Roman Empire:

• Henry (1244–1308): This son became a foundational figure in German history. In 1264, he was created Landgrave of Hesse, following the War of the Thuringian Succession (1247-1264). This conflict arose from the death of Heinrich Raspe (Beatrix's first husband) and the extinction of the Ludovingian line of Thuringia. Sophie, as a claimant through her father, successfully asserted her son's right to the Hessian territories, establishing the Landgraviate of Hesse as a distinct and important principality within the Holy Roman Empire.
• Elizabeth (1243 – October 9, 1261): She married Albert I, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg, further extending the dynastic reach of the House of Brabant into another prominent North German princely house, the Welfs.

Henry II's relatively short reign was nonetheless characterized by the consolidation of Brabant's power, astute dynastic policies, and decisive interventions in the complex political landscape of the Holy Roman Empire, leaving a lasting impact through his descendants and the new territories they acquired.

Frequently Asked Questions About Henry II of Brabant

Who was Henry II of Brabant?

Henry II of Brabant was the Duke of Brabant and Lothier from 1235 until his death in 1248. He was an influential ruler in the Low Countries during the 13th century, actively participating in the politics of the Holy Roman Empire.

When did Henry II rule Brabant?

He ruled from 1235, succeeding his father Henry I, until his death on February 1, 1248.

What was Henry II of Brabant known for politically?

Henry II was notably known for his support of his nephew, William II of Holland, in his bid to become King of Germany during the tumultuous Great Interregnum period, aligning Brabant with the papal faction against the Hohenstaufens.

Who were Henry II of Brabant's wives and children?

Henry II was married twice. His first wife was Marie of Hohenstaufen, with whom he had six children: Henry III, Philip, Matilda, Beatrix, Maria, and Margaret. His second wife was Sophie of Thuringia, and they had two children: Henry (who became Landgrave of Hesse) and Elizabeth.

What is notable about Henry II's daughter, Maria of Brabant?

Maria of Brabant had a tragic fate; she was beheaded by her husband, Louis II "the Strict" of Upper Bavaria, on suspicion of infidelity. This event is a well-documented and infamous incident in medieval history.

How did Henry II's children contribute to the history of the Holy Roman Empire?

One of his sons from his second marriage, Henry, was instrumental in the creation of the Landgraviate of Hesse in 1264, a significant development in the territorial organization of the Holy Roman Empire. His daughters' marriages also formed crucial alliances with powerful princely and royal houses across Europe.