Egbert the One-Eyed
Encyclopedia
Egbert the One-Eyed (died 4 April 994) was the second son of Wichmann the Elder
and the younger brother of Wichmann the Younger
. He was thus of the elder line of the Billung
family. His nickname derives from the fact that he lost an eye in battle, an injury for which he blamed Otto I and which partly explains his involvement in many insurrections. He was the count of Hastfalagau.
He sided with Liudolf, Duke of Saxony
, in his rebellion in 953–954. He and his brother instigated the Obodrites to war in 955 while Otto was waging war on the Magyars. They escaped judgement in the German campaign that followed. In 978, he was put on trial as an accomplice to the revolt of Henry II, Duke of Bavaria
, in the War of the Three Henries
and exiled. Egbert assisted Henry in the kidnapping of Otto III and imprisoned Otto's sister Adelaide in his castle at Ala
. Through all this, Egbert maintained a very high standing in the kingdom toward the end of his life.
Egbert's wife is not known by name. He left children, but their identity is only hypothetical.
Wichmann the Elder
Wichmann I the Elder was a member of the Saxon House of Billung. He was a brother of Amelung, Bishop of Verden, and Herman, Duke of Saxony....
and the younger brother of Wichmann the Younger
Wichmann the Younger
Wichmann II the Younger was a member of the Saxon House of Billung. He was a son of Count Wichmann the Elder and his wife Frederuna, probably a sister of Queen Matilda...
. He was thus of the elder line of the Billung
Billung
The House of Billung was a dynasty of Saxon noblemen in the 9th through 12th centuries.The first known member of the house was Count Wichmann, mentioned as a Billung in 811...
family. His nickname derives from the fact that he lost an eye in battle, an injury for which he blamed Otto I and which partly explains his involvement in many insurrections. He was the count of Hastfalagau.
He sided with Liudolf, Duke of Saxony
Liudolf, Duke of Saxony
Liudolf was a Saxon count, son of one count Brun and his wife Gisla von Verla ; later authors called him duke of the Eastern Saxons and count of Eastphalia...
, in his rebellion in 953–954. He and his brother instigated the Obodrites to war in 955 while Otto was waging war on the Magyars. They escaped judgement in the German campaign that followed. In 978, he was put on trial as an accomplice to the revolt of Henry II, Duke of Bavaria
Henry II, Duke of Bavaria
Henry II , called the Wrangler or the Quarrelsome, in German Heinrich der Zänker, was the son of Henry I and Judith of Bavaria.- Biography :...
, in the War of the Three Henries
War of the Three Henries (977-978)
The War of the Three Henries was a brief rebellion of three German leaders, all called Henry, against the Holy Roman Emperor Otto II in 977. While Otto was campaigning against Boleslaus II of Bohemia, a conspiracy arose in Bavaria...
and exiled. Egbert assisted Henry in the kidnapping of Otto III and imprisoned Otto's sister Adelaide in his castle at Ala
Ala
Ala may refer to:* Ala , a female demon in the Serbian and Bulgarian mythology* Ala , an Alusi in Odinani* Ala , a Republican-period, largely infantry, formation of 5,400 men...
. Through all this, Egbert maintained a very high standing in the kingdom toward the end of his life.
Egbert's wife is not known by name. He left children, but their identity is only hypothetical.
Sources
- Foundation for Medieval Genealogy: Dukes of Saxony.