Beatrice I, Countess of Burgundy

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Beatrice of Burgundy (died November 15, 1184) was the daughter and heiress of Renaud III, Count of Burgundy, and the second wife and Empress of Frederick I, Holy Roman Emperor.

[edit] Family

Beatrice was the only daughter of Renaud III, Count of Burgundy and Agatha of Lorraine.

Her maternal hrandparents were Simon I, Duke of Lorraine and his wife Adelaide.

[edit] Marriage and children

Beatrice and Frederick Barbarossa were married June 9, 1156 at Würzburg. By this marriage Frederick obtained control of the vast county of Burgundy. Their children were:

1. Frederick V, Duke of Swabia (1164 - 1170)
2. Henry VI, Holy Roman Emperor (November 1165-1197)
3. Frederick VI, Duke of Swabia (1167-1191)
4. Otto I, Count of Burgundy (1170-killed 1200)
5. Conrad II, Duke of Swabia and Rothenburg (1173-killed 1196)
6. Philip of Swabia (1177-killed, 1208) King of Germany in 1198
7. Beatrice of Hohenstaufen (1162-1174). She was betrothed to William II of Sicily but died before they could be married.
8. Agnes of Hohenstaufen (died October 1184). She was betrothed to Emeric of Hungary but died before they could be married.

Beatrice was active at the Hohenstaufen court, encouraging literary works and chivalric ideals. She accompanied her husband on his travels and campaigns across his kingdom, and Frederick Barbarossa was known to be under Beatrice's influence. The poem Carmen de gestis Frederici I imperatoris in Lombardia, written about 1162, describes Beatrice upon her wedding day:

"Venus did not have this virgin's beauty,

Minerva did not have her brilliant mind

And Juno did not have her wealth.

There never was another except God's mother Mary

And Beatrice is so happy she excels her."

Preceded by Richenza of Northeim	Empress of the Holy Roman Empire 1156–1184	Succeeded by Constance of Sicily
Preceded by Adelheid of Vohburg	German Queen 1156–1169	Succeeded by Constance of Sicily
Preceded by Renaud III	Countess of Burgundy 1148–1184	Succeeded by Frederick I

[edit] Sources

• Carson, Thomas. Barbarossa in Italy, 1994.