Ordulf, Duke of Saxony

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Ordulf
Duke of Saxony
Reign1059–1072
PredecessorBernard II
SuccessorMagnus
Bornc. 1022
Died(1072-03-28)28 March 1072
Burial
Saint Michael Church in Lüneburg
SpouseWulfhild of Norway
Gertrude of Haldensleben
IssueMagnus, Duke of Saxony
HouseHouse of Billung
FatherBernard II
MotherEilika of Schweinfurt

Ordulf (sometimes Otto) (c. 1022 – 28 March 1072) was the duke of Saxony from 1059, when he succeeded his father Bernard II,[1] until his death. He was a member of the Billung family.

Reign[edit]

Ordulf's entire reign was occupied by wars with the Wends. He was allied with Denmark in this endeavor, and he strengthened the alliance by marrying Wulfhild of Norway, the daughter of King Olaf II of Norway, in 1042.[2] Their son Magnus succeeded Ordulf as Duke of Saxony.[3]

Ordulf's second wife, Gertrude of Haldensleben,[4] daughter of a Count Conrad, was imprisoned in Mainz in 1076 and died 21 February 1116. Their son Bernard died after a fall from a horse in Lüneburg on 15 July of an unknown year.

Ordulf is buried in the Church of St. Michael in Lüneburg.

References[edit]

  1. ^ Brooke 1926, p. 114.
  2. ^ Adam of Bremen 2002, p. 108-109.
  3. ^ Brooke 1926, p. 129.
  4. ^ Boshof 2008, p. 266.

Sources[edit]

  • Boshof, Egon (2008). Die Salier (in German). W. Kohlhammer Gmbh.
  • Adam of Bremen (2002). History of the Archbishops of Hamburg-Bremen. Translated by Tschan, Francis J. Columbia University Press.
  • Brooke, Z.N. (1926). "Germany under Henry IV and Henry V". In Bury, J.B.; Tanner, J.R.; Previté-Orton, C.W.; Brooke, Z.N. (eds.). The Cambridge Medieval History. Vol. V. Cambridge University Press.
Ordulf, Duke of Saxony
Born: c. 1022 Died: 28 March 1072
Preceded by Duke of Saxony
1059–1072
Succeeded by