Background
Judith was a daughter of Duke Frederick II of Swabia (1090–1147) and his second wife Agnes of Saarbrücken, thereby a younger half-sister of Emperor Frederick Barbarossa (1122–1190).
Judith was a daughter of Duke Frederick II of Swabia (1090–1147) and his second wife Agnes of Saarbrücken, thereby a younger half-sister of Emperor Frederick Barbarossa (1122–1190).
She was baptized as Judith, but was commonly called Jutta or Guta. Sometimes the Latinate form Clementia was used, or Claritia or Claricia. This wedlock was intended to cement the relationship between the Thuringian Ludovingians and the imperial House of Hohenstaufen, to strengthen Emperor Barbarossa in his fierce conflict with Duke Henry the Lion and the House of Welf.
The neighbouring Counts of Beichlingen objected, and protested to Emperor Barbarossa.
Runneburg Castle was situated halfway between Wartburg Castle and Neuenburg Castle and became the residence of the Landgraves of Thuringia. Later during the conflicts between Germany"s most powerful dynasties, the strategically located Runneburg Castle became one of the most important castles in the area.
She died on 7 July 1191 and was buried in Reinhardsbrunn monastery next to her husband. Her name is still omnipresent in Weißensee, which shows how highly she was regarded during her lifetime.
Judith"s grave stone was created in the 14th century, well after her death.
lieutenant must have been installed after the fire of 1292. lieutenant was moved from Reinhardsbrunn to the choir of the Saint George"s Church in Eisenach. The Landgravine is depicted holding a lap dog in her left arm, while her right hand holds a scepter.
A wide cantilevered canopy, held up by two angels, is extended over her head
The angels appear to sit on a pillow behind her head The inscription reads South. SOROR FRIDERICI INPERATORIS ("the sister of Emperor Frederick").
Due to the canopy, this grave stone was larger than those of the other Landgraves of Thuringia (which are also on display in the Street George church in Eisenach). lieutenant must have made her grave very visible, even when the grave stone was part of the church floor.
The presence of the Emperor"s sister in the family tree introduced additional honor, which is why her family background was emphasized in the inscription.