Otto I, known as Otto the Great, was the Holy Roman Emperor from 962 until his death in 973, and his family tree connects the Saxon Ottonian dynasty to nearly every major royal house of medieval Europe. His parents were King Henry I of East Francia (the Fowler) and Matilda of Ringelheim, and his marriage to Adelaide of Italy cemented his imperial authority. Below is a detailed look at his ancestors, siblings, wives, children, and the dynasty he founded.
Early Life and Rise to Power
Otto was born in 912, the eldest son of Henry I and his second wife, Matilda. Henry had been elected King of East Francia in 919, marking the transition from Carolingian rule to the Saxon (Liudolfing) dynasty. Otto was crowned co-king in 930 and became sole ruler upon his father’s death in 936. His coronation at Aachen deliberately echoed Charlemagne, signaling continuity with the old imperial ideal.
His early reign was plagued by rebellions from his own family. His younger brother Henry, Duke of Bavaria, and his half-brother Thankmar (from Henry I’s first marriage) both rose against him. Otto suppressed these revolts, and by 941 he had consolidated power, making his brother Henry Duke of Bavaria and his son Liudolf Duke of Swabia.
Ancestry and Siblings
Otto’s paternal grandfather was Otto the Illustrious, Duke of Saxony, and his grandmother was Hedwiga, a daughter of the Carolingian king Louis the German. His mother Matilda was a descendant of the legendary Saxon leader Widukind, giving the dynasty deep roots in Saxon nobility.
Otto had several siblings, but the most significant were:
- Henry (c. 919–955) – Duke of Bavaria, who later married Judith, a daughter of Duke Arnulf of Bavaria.
- Gerberga (c. 913–984) – married Duke Gilbert of Lorraine, then King Louis IV of France, making her Queen of West Francia.
- Hedwig (c. 910–965) – married Hugh the Great, Duke of the Franks, and became the mother of Hugh Capet, founder of the Capetian dynasty.
- Bruno (925–965) – Archbishop of Cologne and Duke of Lotharingia, one of Otto’s most trusted advisors.
- Thankmar (c. 908–938) – half-brother from Henry I’s first marriage, killed during a revolt against Otto.
First Marriage and Children
Otto married Edith of England in 930, a daughter of King Edward the Elder and sister of King Æthelstan. The marriage was arranged to seal an alliance between the Saxon and Anglo-Saxon royal houses. Edith bore Otto two children:
- Liudolf (930–957) – Duke of Swabia, who married Ida, a daughter of Duke Hermann I of Swabia. Liudolf rebelled against his father in 953 but was reconciled before his death in 957.
- Liutgard (c. 932–953) – married Conrad the Red, Duke of Lorraine. Their son Otto became Duke of Carinthia.
Edith died in 946, and Otto mourned her deeply, founding the convent of Memleben in her memory.
Second Marriage and Imperial Heir
In 951, Otto married Adelaide of Italy, the widowed Queen of Italy. Adelaide was the daughter of King Rudolf II of Upper Burgundy and Bertha of Swabia. This marriage was politically crucial: it gave Otto control over Italy and a claim to the Lombard crown. Adelaide bore Otto four children:
- Otto II (955–983) – his father’s successor as Holy Roman Emperor. Otto II married Theophanu, a Byzantine princess, in 972.
- Matilda (c. 954–999) – became Abbess of Quedlinburg, a powerful religious position.
- Adelheid (c. 957–?) – became a nun at the monastery of Quedlinburg.
- Richlind (c. 960–?) – became a nun at the monastery of Nordhausen.
Otto II was the sole surviving legitimate son, and his marriage to Theophanu linked the Ottonian dynasty with the Byzantine Empire, a major diplomatic achievement.
Legacy and Descendants
Otto I died in 973 and was buried in Magdeburg Cathedral, which he had founded. His son Otto II continued the dynasty, but his early death in 983 left a three-year-old heir, Otto III. The Ottonian dynasty lasted until 1024, when Henry II (a great-grandson of Henry the Fowler) died without heirs.
The family tree spreads widely through marriage:
- His sister Gerberga’s son, Lothair, became King of France.
- His sister Hedwig’s son, Hugh Capet, founded the Capetian dynasty that ruled France for centuries.
- His daughter Liutgard’s son, Otto of Carinthia, became a leading noble in the Empire.
- His grandson Otto II’s marriage to Theophanu brought Byzantine prestige to the court.
The Ottonians were also deeply tied to the Church: Otto’s brother Bruno was Archbishop of Cologne, and several of his daughters became abbesses, a common way for medieval royal families to secure spiritual influence.
Common Misconceptions
One common error is confusing Otto I with Otto III or with Otto of Brunswick (Otto IV). Another is assuming that Otto was the first Holy Roman Emperor; in fact, the title was first used by Charlemagne in 800, and Otto I revived it in 962. Some sources also claim that Otto was crowned by the Pope in Rome—this is true, but his coronation was a political act, not a papal appointment. Finally, the name “Otto the Great” was not used in his lifetime; it was applied by later chroniclers to distinguish him from his son and grandson.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who were Otto I’s parents?
His father was Henry I the Fowler, King of East Francia, and his mother was Matilda of Ringelheim, later venerated as a saint. Henry was the founder of the Ottonian dynasty, and Matilda was known for her piety and charitable works.
How many children did Otto I have?
Otto had at least six legitimate children: two with his first wife Edith (Liudolf and Liutgard) and four with his second wife Adelaide (Otto II, Matilda, Adelheid, and Richlind). He also had an illegitimate son, William, who became Archbishop of Mainz.
Did Otto I marry a Byzantine princess?
No, Otto I himself did not. His son Otto II married Theophanu, a Byzantine princess, in 972. This marriage was arranged by Otto I to secure an alliance with the Byzantine Empire, and it was a major diplomatic success.
What happened to Otto’s son Liudolf?
Liudolf, Duke of Swabia, rebelled against his father in 953–954, partly because he feared being passed over for the succession. He was eventually reconciled but died in 957 during a campaign in Italy, leaving Otto II as the sole heir.
Are there living descendants of Otto I?
Yes, through his daughters and their marriages, virtually every European royal family descends from Otto I. For example, his sister Hedwig’s son Hugh Capet was the ancestor of the French kings, and through later marriages, the bloodline spread to the Habsburgs, Bourbons, and other dynasties.
Further Reading
For a deeper look, consult the Annals of Quedlinburg, which was written by a nun in the Ottonian court, or the Chronicle of Thietmar of Merseburg, a bishop who wrote a detailed history of the dynasty. Modern biographies of Otto I, such as those by Robert Folz or Timothy Reuter, provide scholarly analysis of his reign and family.
Related
- Plants for All Seasons? A Gardener’s Guide
- Power Rangers Seasons: Full List & Watch Order
- In the Heat of the Night Seasons: Meaning & Context
How pages are sourced and corrected: Sources and editorial policy.