Liudolf, Margrave of Frisia
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Liudolf (d 23 April 1038) was a Frisian count from the 11th century who ruled middle Frisland. He is regarded as the founder of the Brunonen family.
[edit] History
Liudolf was a descendant of the Saxon family of Brunonen. He was a son of Bruno I (Earl of Derlinga) and Gisela of Swabia. The later Roman Emperor Henry III was his half brother. He married Gertrude and had four children. Around the year 1000, the Friesian counties Oostergo, Zuidergo and Westergo were controlled by him. Until the end of his life he adminstered the Frisian areas, and for another two more generations the Brunonen family line inherited the title. How the Brunonen came to their position in the counties is not known. There is a theory that Liudolf took advantage of the reign of violence between Friesland Vlie and Lauwers of the counts of Holland. Real factual data about the life of Liudolf is not known. He died in 1038 and was succeeded by his son, Bruno II. His daughter Matilda married Henry I of France. One popular theory of the origins of Agatha, wife of Edward the Exile makes her another daughter.
[edit] Bibliography
- H. Halbertsma Frieslands oudheid, Het rijk van de Friese koningen, opkomst en ondergang (Frieslands antiquity, Realm of the Frisian kings, rise and fall) (Utrecht 2000)
- Die familiären Verbindungen der Brunonen
- Liudolf Graf von Braunschweig
