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Dukes of Franconia
Franconia was one of the five tribal duchies which made up Germany
during the tenth century. But unlike the others Franconia did not evolve
into a stable political entity. Its first duke was elected to king of
Germany 911 and was succeeded in Franconia by his brother who
died 939 when he revolted against another German king. This king did not
appoint a new duke of Franconia, instead the central German region of
Franconia was fragmented into several counties and bishoprics, which were
subordinated to the German kings directly. In the western part of Franconia (Rheinfranken)
were there several counties that belonged to the Salian dynasty. Its
members were sometimes mentioned as dukes of Franconia and they became
Germany's royal dynasty 1024. Their Franconian territories were 1093
granted as a fief to the palatine count of Aachen, which would evolve into
the important German principality of Electoral Palatinate (Kurpfalz).
In eastern Franconia (Ostfranken) was the prince bishopric of Würzburg
the most influential state. It was in an effort to curve the clerical
influence in that region emperor Heinrich IV granted his future son in law
Friedrich of Hohenstaufen the duchy of Ostfranken 1079. But this duchy was
later dissolved and once again was the prince bishopric of Würzburg the
leading state in eastern Franconia and these bishops also held the title
duke of Franconia 1442-1802. During the Thirty Years War was their territory
occupied by the Swedes who installed the commander Bernhard of Weimar as regent
1633 with the title duke of Franconia. But the prince bishop of Würzburg was
restored after the battle at Nördlingen 1634.
Duchy of Franconia
The duchy was dissolved after the
death of Konrad II 1196 |
