Gertrude of Brunswick


Gertrud of Brunswick was Countess of Katlenburg by marriage to Dietrich II, Count of Katlenburg, Margravine of Frisia by marriage to Henry, Margrave of Frisia, and Margravine of Meissen by marriage to margrave Henry I. She served as regent of the County of Katlenburg during the minority of her son Dietrich III of Katlenburg, and as regent of the County of Northeim during the minority of her son Otto III of Northeim. She was also one of the leaders of the insurrections against Emperor Henry IV and his son Henry V.

Life

Gertrud was the only daughter of Margrave Egbert I of Meissen and Immilla of Turin, and as such a member of the Brunonid dynasty. Through her father, Gertrude was a great-granddaughter of Brun I, Count of Brunswick and Gisela of Swabia; since Gisela later became German queen and empress consort, Gertrude was closely related to Emperor Henry III and Emperor Henry IV. Through her mother, Gertrude was the niece of Adelaide of Turin and first cousins with Bertha of Savoy, German queen and empress consort from 1066 to 1087.

Katlenburg

She was married to Count Dietrich II of Katlenburg. In 1090, after the childless death of her older brother Margrave Egbert II of Meissen, last of the male Brunonids, she inherited the ancestral seat of Brunswick in Saxony. When her husband died, she acted as regent for their son Dietrich III.

Frisia

About 1086, Gertrude married again, this time to the Northeim count Henry the Fat, who was appointed Margrave of Frisia in 1099. Their daughter Richenza of Northeim married Lothar of Süpplingenburg, Duke of Saxony and future Holy Roman Emperor. He received the Brunonen's seat at Brunswick. After Henry's death in 1101, Gertrud again acted as regent, this time for her second son Count Otto III of Northeim.

Meissen

Gertrud's third husband was the Wettin scion Henry I of Eilenburg, Margrave of Margraviate of Meissen since 1089. Their son, Henry II was probably born after his death in 1103; Gertude acted as regent during his minority. She was one of the leaders of the insurrections against Emperor Henry IV and his son Henry V. She protected the interests of her sons and Margrave Henry II later secured the Wettin authority over Meissen.