Heinrich Raspe
Encyclopedia
Henry Raspe (1204 – February 16, 1247) succeeded Hermann II as Landgrave
of Thuringia
in central Germany
in 1241; he later was elected anti-king in 1246–1247 in opposition to Conrad IV of Germany
.
In 1226, Henry's brother Louis IV, Landgrave of Thuringia, died en route to the Sixth Crusade
, and Henry became regent for his under-age nephew Hermann II. He managed to expel his nephew and the boy's young mother, St. Elisabeth of Hungary
, from the line of succession and ca. 1231 formally succeeded his brother as landgrave.
In 1242 Henry, together with King Wenceslaus I of Bohemia
, was selected by Emperor Frederick II
to be administrator of Germany for Frederick's under-age son Conrad.
After the papal ban on Frederick imposed by Pope Innocent IV
in 1245, Raspe changed sides, and on 22 May 1246 he was elected anti-king in opposition to Conrad. The strong papal prodding that led to his election earned Raspe the derogatory moniker of "Pfaffenkönig" (parsons' king). Henry defeated Conrad in the Battle of Nidda
in southern Hesse
in August 1246, but he died several months later in Wartburg Castle
near Eisenach
in Thuringia.
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Landgrave
Landgrave was a title used in the Holy Roman Empire and later on by its former territories. The title refers to a count who had feudal duty directly to the Holy Roman Emperor...
of Thuringia
Thuringia
The Free State of Thuringia is a state of Germany, located in the central part of the country.It has an area of and 2.29 million inhabitants, making it the sixth smallest by area and the fifth smallest by population of Germany's sixteen states....
in central Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
in 1241; he later was elected anti-king in 1246–1247 in opposition to Conrad IV of Germany
Conrad IV of Germany
Conrad IV was king of Jerusalem , of Germany , and of Sicily .-Biography:...
.
In 1226, Henry's brother Louis IV, Landgrave of Thuringia, died en route to the Sixth Crusade
Sixth Crusade
The Sixth Crusade started in 1228 as an attempt to regain Jerusalem. It began seven years after the failure of the Fifth Crusade. It involved very little actual fighting...
, and Henry became regent for his under-age nephew Hermann II. He managed to expel his nephew and the boy's young mother, St. Elisabeth of Hungary
Elisabeth of Hungary
Elizabeth of Hungary, T.O.S.F., was a princess of the Kingdom of Hungary, Countess of Thuringia, Germany and a greatly-venerated Catholic saint. Elizabeth was married at the age of 14, and widowed at 20. She then became one of the first members of the newly-founded Third Order of St. Francis,...
, from the line of succession and ca. 1231 formally succeeded his brother as landgrave.
In 1242 Henry, together with King Wenceslaus I of Bohemia
Bohemia
Bohemia is a historical region in central Europe, occupying the western two-thirds of the traditional Czech Lands. It is located in the contemporary Czech Republic with its capital in Prague...
, was selected by Emperor Frederick II
Frederick II, Holy Roman Emperor
Frederick II , was one of the most powerful Holy Roman Emperors of the Middle Ages and head of the House of Hohenstaufen. His political and cultural ambitions, based in Sicily and stretching through Italy to Germany, and even to Jerusalem, were enormous...
to be administrator of Germany for Frederick's under-age son Conrad.
After the papal ban on Frederick imposed by Pope Innocent IV
Pope Innocent IV
Pope Innocent IV , born Sinibaldo Fieschi, was pope from June 25, 1243 until his death in 1254.-Early life:...
in 1245, Raspe changed sides, and on 22 May 1246 he was elected anti-king in opposition to Conrad. The strong papal prodding that led to his election earned Raspe the derogatory moniker of "Pfaffenkönig" (parsons' king). Henry defeated Conrad in the Battle of Nidda
Nidda, city
Nidda is a town in the district Wetterau, in Hesse, Germany. It is situated on the Nidda river, approximately 40 km northeast of Frankfurt am Main.- Division of the town :...
in southern Hesse
Hesse
Hesse or Hessia is both a cultural region of Germany and the name of an individual German state.* The cultural region of Hesse includes both the State of Hesse and the area known as Rhenish Hesse in the neighbouring Rhineland-Palatinate state...
in August 1246, but he died several months later in Wartburg Castle
Wartburg Castle
The Wartburg is a castle situated on a 1230-foot precipice to the southwest of, and overlooking the town of Eisenach, in the state of Thuringia, Germany...
near Eisenach
Eisenach
Eisenach is a city in Thuringia, Germany. It is situated between the northern foothills of the Thuringian Forest and the Hainich National Park. Its population in 2006 was 43,626.-History:...
in Thuringia.
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