Bernard Bernard II, Duke of Saxony

995 (age 64)

He had the rights of a count in Frisia. Bernard expanded the powers of the duke in Saxony and is regarded as the greatest of the Billungers. He was originally a supporter of Emperor Henry II and he accompanied him into Poland and negotiated the treaty of Bautzen of 1018. In 1019–1020, he revolted and gained the recognition of the tribal laws of Saxony, something his father had just failed to do. He returned then to war with the Slavs (Obodrites and Lutici) and drew them into his sphere of power and influence through their leader, Godescalc (Gottschalk). Though he was a critical ally of the Danes, so fundamental to Henry"s wars in the Low Countries, Bernard was on the brink of rebellion until the death of Adalbert. The remainder of his reign, however, was quiet. In 1045, he erected the Alsterburg in Hamburg. He is buried in the Church of Saint Michael in Lüneburg.

Bernard Bernard II, Duke of Saxony Edit Profile

Career

He had the rights of a count in Frisia. Bernard expanded the powers of the duke in Saxony and is regarded as the greatest of the Billungers. He was originally a supporter of Emperor Henry II and he accompanied him into Poland and negotiated the treaty of Bautzen of 1018.

In 1019–1020, he revolted and gained the recognition of the tribal laws of Saxony, something his father had just failed to do.

He returned then to war with the Slavs (Obodrites and Lutici) and drew them into his sphere of power and influence through their leader, Godescalc (Gottschalk). Though he was a critical ally of the Danes, so fundamental to Henry"s wars in the Low Countries, Bernard was on the brink of rebellion until the death of Adalbert.

The remainder of his reign, however, was quiet. In 1045, he erected the Alsterburg in Hamburg.

He is buried in the Church of Saint Michael in Lüneburg.

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