The Children of Adam and Eve

Lothair II (1075-1137), king of Germany (1125-37) and Holy Roman emperor
(1133-37), sometimes called Lothair III. Through his wife, Richenza,
Lothair secured extensive possessions in Saxony, and in 1106, as a reWard
for his services to Emperor Henry V, he was granted the entire duchy. He
soon revolted against Henry, However, and their relations remained hostile
during most of Henry's reign. On Henry's Death in 1125 Lothair was elected
German king over the rival candidate, Frederick II, duke of Swabia
(1090-1147). In 1127 the new king arranged the marriage of his daughter
and heiress, Gertrude (died 1143), to Henry X, duke of Bavaria (1108-39),
whom he invested with the duchy of Saxony in 1137. Thereafter a great
struggle for ascendancy ensued between the powerful houses of Welf, or
Guelph (the dukes of Saxony and Bavaria), and those of Hohenstaufen. The
Hohenstaufen revolted against Lothair's authority but finally submitted to
him after seven years of fruitless war. During that time Lothair gave his
support to Pope Innocent II (reigned 1130-43) and visited Rome, where he
was crowned Holy Roman emperor in 1133. Lothair was also successful in
extending his power east of the Elbe River and in Denmark. He died while
returning from a military expedition in Italy.