This interactive visualization details the lineage of German monarchs, derived from historical records. View source details. (opens in new tab)

Imperial Tapestry

A comprehensive genealogical overview of the rulers of Germany, tracing the complex web of relationships from the Carolingian era to the end of the German monarchy.

Explore Dynasties 📜 View the Tree 🌳

Key Dynasties

Carolingians

The foundational dynasty, originating from Charles Martel, ruling the Frankish Empire and its eastern successor state.

Conradines

A powerful East Franconian noble family that briefly held the German throne after the Carolingians.

Ottonians

Also known as the Saxon dynasty, they re-established royal authority and founded the Holy Roman Empire.

Salians

This dynasty oversaw significant developments, including the Investiture Controversy, during their rule.

Supplinburger

A short-lived but significant dynasty, notably represented by Emperor Lothair III.

Hohenstaufen

Also called the Staufer dynasty, known for their imperial ambitions and patronage of arts and culture.

Welf

A prominent dynasty with extensive territories, often rivals to the Hohenstaufen for imperial power.

Habsburg

Ascending to prominence in the later Middle Ages, this dynasty would dominate European politics for centuries.

Nassau

A notable dynasty that produced several Holy Roman Emperors, including Adolf and Wenceslaus.

Luxembourg

This dynasty provided rulers for the Holy Roman Empire and Bohemia during the late medieval period.

Wittelsbach

A long-ruling Bavarian dynasty that also held the imperial title multiple times.

Lorraine

Associated with the Habsburgs through marriage, this house played a significant role in Central European history.

Bonaparte

Though primarily French, this dynasty briefly held influence over German territories during the Napoleonic era.

Hohenzollern

The final ruling house, associated with Brandenburg and Prussia, culminating in the German Empire.

Carolingian
Conradine
Ottonian
Salian
Supplinburger
Hohenstaufen
Welf
Habsburg
Nassau
Luxembourg
Wittelsbach
Lorraine
Bonaparte
Hohenzollern

The Monarchical Lineage

The following table illustrates the intricate familial connections between the rulers of Germany, from the Carolingian era through to the establishment of the German Empire. Note the use of dashed lines to indicate marriages and solid lines for direct descent.

Charlemagne
742/748–814
King of the Franks
r. 800–814
Louis I
the Pious

778–840
King of the Franks
r. 813–840
Judith
of Bavaria

797/805–843
Ermengarde
of Hesbaye

c. 778–818
Louis II
the German

c. 810–876
King of East Francia
r. 843–876
Hemma
of Bavaria

803/808–876
Gisela
of Alsace

b. 821
Eberhard
of Friuli

c. 815–866
Duke of Friuli
Udo
of Neustria

860–879
Berengar I
of Neustria

c. 836–aft. 879
Count of Hesse
Liutswind
Carloman
830–880
King of Bavaria
r. 876–880
Irmgard
of Chiemsee

c. 830/833–866
Louis
the Younger

830/835–882
King of Saxony
r. 876–882
Liutgard
of Saxony

c. 845–885
Gisela
of Alsace

c. 840–895
Bernhart
Charles III
the Fat

839–888
King of East Francia
Richardis

c. 840–c. 895
Conrad
Duke of Thuringia

d. 906
Ota

c. 874–899/903
Arnulf
of Carinthia

850–899
King of East Francia
r. 887–899
Henry
of Franconia

?–886
Oda
of Saxony

875/880–aft. 952
Otto I
the Illustrious

c. 851–912
Duke of Saxony
Hedwiga
of Babenberg

c. 856–903
Conrad I
the Younger

c. 890–918
King of Germany
r. 911–918
Cunigunde
of Swabia

b. c. 880
Louis III
the Child

893–911
King of East Francia
r. 900–911
Ratold
King of Italy

Zwentibold

870–900
King of Lotharingia
Oda
of Saxony

875/880–aft. 952
Henry I
the Fowler

876–936
King of Germany
r. 919–936
Hatheburg
of Merseburg

Conrad I
c. 890–918
King of Germany
r. 911–918
Cunigunde
of Swabia

c. 880
Louis III
the Child

893–911
King of East Francia
r. 900–911
Ratold
King of Italy

Zwentibold

870–900
King of Lotharingia
Oda
of Saxony

875/880–aft. 952
Henry I
the Fowler

876–936
King of Germany
r. 919–936
Hatheburg
of Merseburg

Conrad I
c. 890–918
King of Germany
r. 911–918
Cunigunde
of Swabia

c. 880
Louis III
the Child

893–911
King of East Francia
r. 900–911
Ratold
King of Italy

Zwentibold

870–900
King of Lotharingia
Oda
of Saxony

875/880–aft. 952
Henry I
the Fowler

876–936
King of Germany
r. 919–936
Hatheburg
of Merseburg

Conrad I
c. 890–918
King of Germany
r. 911–918
Cunigunde
of Swabia

c. 880
Louis III
the Child

893–911
King of East Francia
r. 900–911
Ratold
King of Italy

Zwentibold

870–900
King of Lotharingia
Oda
of Saxony

875/880–aft. 952
Henry I
the Fowler

876–936
King of Germany
r. 919–936
Hatheburg
of Merseburg

Otto I
the Great

912–973
King of Germany
r. 936–973
Holy Roman Emperor
r. 962–973
Matilda
of Ringelheim

c. 895–968
Otto I
the Great

912–973
King of Germany
r. 936–973
Holy Roman Emperor
r. 962–973
Judith
of Bavaria

925–c. 985
Otto II
the Red

955–983
King of Germany
r. 961–983
Holy Roman Emperor
r. 967–983
Theophanu

c. 955–991
Bruno
Archbishop of Cologne

954–957?
Matilda
Abbess of Quedlinburg

954–999
Henry II
the Wrangler

951–995
Duke of Bavaria
Gisela
of Burgundy

d. 1006
Otto III
980–1002
King of Germany
r. 983–1002
Holy Roman Emperor
r. 996–1002
Cunigunde
of Luxembourg

c. 975–1040
Henry II
Saint

973–1024
King of Germany
r. 1002–1024
Holy Roman Emperor
r. 1014–1024
Conrad II
990–1039
King of Germany
r. 1024–1039
Holy Roman Emperor
r. 1027–1039
Gisela
of Swabia

989/990–1043
Ernest I
Duke of Swabia

?–1012/1015
Brun I
of Brunswick

c. 975–c. 1010
Henry III
the Black

1017–1056
King of Germany
r. 1028–1056
Holy Roman Emperor
r. 1046–1056
Agnes
of Poitou

c. 1025–1077
Beatrix

1020–c. 1036
Henry

1071–1071
Frederick I
Duke of Swabia

1050–1105
Agnes
of Germany

1072–1143
Lothair III
1075–1137
King of Germany
r. 1125–1137
Holy Roman Emperor
r. 1133–1137
Richenza
of Northeim

c. 1087/1089–1141
Henry X
the Proud

c. 1108–1139
Duke of Bavaria
Judith
of Bavaria

1103–1131
Frederick II
Duke of Swabia

1090–1147
Agnes
of Saarbrücken

d. c. 1147
Conrad III
1093–1152
King of Germany
r. 1138–1152
Gertrude
of Sulzbach

c. 1110–1146
Frederick I
Barbarossa

1122–1190
King of Germany
r. 1152–1190
Holy Roman Emperor
r. 1155–1190
Beatrice I
Countess of Burgundy

1143–1184
Henry VI
1165–1197
King of Germany
r. 1169–1197
Holy Roman Emperor
r. 1191–1197
Constance
of Sicily

1154–1198
Queen of Sicily
Otto IV
1175–1218
King of Germany
r. 1198–1209
Holy Roman Emperor
r. 1209–1215
Beatrice
of Swabia

1198–1212
Frederick II
1194–1250
King of Germany
r. 1212–1250
Holy Roman Emperor
r. 1220–1250
Isabella
of England

1214–1241
Henry Raspe IV
1204–1247
King of Germany
r. 1246–1247
Elisabeth
of Brunswick

1235–1261
Adolf
c. 1255–1298
King of Germany
r. 1292–1298
Immichina
of Stein

Henry VII
1275–1313
King of Germany
r. 1308–1313
Holy Roman Emperor
r. 1312–1313
Margaret
of Brabant
1275–1299
Louis IV
1282–1347
King of Germany
r. 1314–1347
Holy Roman Emperor
r. 1328–1347
Beatrix
of Glogau

c. 1290–1322
Charles IV
1316–1378
King of Germany
r. 1346–1378
Holy Roman Emperor
r. 1355–1378
Blanche
of Bohemia

1317–1348
Wenceslaus
1361–1419
King of Germany
r. 1378–1400
Joanna
of Bavaria

1362–1386
Sigismund
1368–1437
King of Germany
r. 1410–1437
Holy Roman Emperor
r. 1433–1437
Barbara
of Celje

1392–1451
Albert II
1397–1439
King of Germany
r. 1438–1439
Elizabeth
of Luxembourg

1409–1442
Frederick III
1415–1493
King of Germany
r. 1440–1493
Holy Roman Emperor
r. 1452–1493
Eleanor
of Portugal

1434–1467
Maximilian I
1459–1519
King of Germany
r. 1486–1519
Holy Roman Emperor
r. 1508–1519
Mary
of Burgundy

1457–1482
Charles V
1500–1558
King of Germany
r. 1519–1556
Holy Roman Emperor
r. 1530–1556
Isabella
of Portugal

1503–1539
Ferdinand I
1503–1564
King of Germany
r. 1556–1564
Holy Roman Emperor
r. 1558–1564
Anna
of Bohemia and Hungary

1503–1547
Maximilian II
1527–1576
King of Germany
r. 1562–1576
Holy Roman Emperor
r. 1564–1576
Maria
of Spain

1528–1603
Rudolf II
1552–1612
King of Germany
r. 1575–1612
Holy Roman Emperor
r. 1576–1612
Anna
of Tyrol

1581–1618
Matthias
1557–1619
King of Germany
r. 1612–1619
Holy Roman Emperor
r. 1612–1619
Anna
of Bohemia and Hungary

1573–1621
Ferdinand II
1578–1637
King of Germany
r. 1618–1637
Holy Roman Emperor
r. 1619–1637
Maria Anna
of Bavaria

1574–1616
Ferdinand III
1608–1657
King of Germany
r. 1636–1657
Holy Roman Emperor
r. 1637–1657
Maria Anna
of Spain

1606–1646
Leopold I
1640–1705
King of Germany
r. 1658–1705
Holy Roman Emperor
r. 1658–1705
Margaret Theresa
of Spain

1651–1673
Joseph I
1678–1711
King of Germany
r. 1705–1711
Holy Roman Emperor
r. 1705–1711
Wilhelmine Amalia
of Brunswick-Lüneburg

1673–1742
Charles VI
1685–1740
King of Germany
r. 1711–1740
Holy Roman Emperor
r. 1711–1740
Elisabeth Christine
of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel

1691–1750
Maria Theresa
1717–1780
Archduchess of Austria
Francis I
1708–1765
Holy Roman Emperor
r. 1745–1765
Joseph II
1741–1790
King of Germany
r. 1765–1790
Holy Roman Emperor
r. 1765–1790
Isabella
of Parma

1741–1763
Leopold II
1747–1792
King of Germany
r. 1790–1792
Holy Roman Emperor
r. 1790–1792
Maria Luisa
of Spain

1745–1792
Francis II
1768–1835
King of Germany
r. 1792–1806
Holy Roman Emperor
r. 1792–1806
Elizabeth
Württemberg

1767–1790
Ferdinand I
1793–1875
Emperor of Austria
r. 1835–1848
Maria Anna
of Savoy

1757–1824
Francis Joseph I
1830–1916
Emperor of Austria
r. 1848–1916
Elisabeth
of Bavaria

1837–1898
Charles I
1887–1922
Emperor of Austria
r. 1916–1918
Zita
of Bourbon-Parma

1892–1989
Wilhelm II
1859–1941
German Emperor
r. 1888–1918
Augusta Victoria
of Schleswig-Holstein

1858–1921
Carolingian
Conradine
Ottonian
Salian
Supplinburger
Hohenstaufen
Welf
Habsburg
Nassau
Luxembourg
Wittelsbach
Lorraine
Bonaparte
Hohenzollern

Titles and Evolution

Royal Titles

The title "King of Germany" was not consistently used. Early rulers were styled "King of East Francia" (until 911). Subsequently, the title evolved through "King of the Germans" and "King of the Romans" (often signifying a claim to the imperial crown).

  • King of East Francia: Used for rulers before the formal establishment of a distinct German kingdom.
  • King of the Germans: Became more common after 843, signifying rule over the Germanic part of the Carolingian Empire.

Imperial Titles

The title "Holy Roman Emperor" was revived by Charlemagne in 800 AD. Later emperors, starting from Henry IV, often used "King of the Romans" as a precursor to the imperial title, which required coronation in Rome.

  • King of the Romans: A title held by the elected ruler before coronation as Emperor.
  • Holy Roman Emperor: The supreme title, signifying universal authority in Christendom, though often limited in practice.

Dynastic Succession

The succession was often determined by election among the Prince-Electors, though hereditary succession became dominant within certain powerful dynasties like the Habsburgs and Hohenzollerns.

  • Election: The formal process involving the Prince-Electors.
  • Heredity: Dynasties sought to ensure their lineage held the throne.
  • Influence: External powers and internal conflicts often influenced succession.

Historical Context

Shaping an Empire

The lineage presented spans over a millennium, from the fragmentation of Charlemagne's empire to the dissolution of the Holy Roman Empire and the rise of the German Empire under Wilhelm II.

  • Carolingian Era (800-911): Foundation laid by Charlemagne and his successors.
  • Ottonian & Salian Dynasties (919-1125): Consolidation of the East Frankish realm and the Holy Roman Empire.
  • Hohenstaufen & Welf Rivalry (1138-1268): Intense struggles for imperial power.
  • Interregnum & Rise of Habsburgs (1254-1438): Period of instability followed by the long dominance of the Habsburg dynasty.
  • German Empire (1871-1918): Unification under Prussian leadership, ending with the Hohenzollern monarchy.

Dynastic Conflicts

The history of German monarchs is marked by frequent conflicts, both internal and external, often driven by dynastic rivalries and the struggle for control over territories and the imperial title.

  • Treaty of Verdun (843): Divided the Carolingian Empire among Louis the Pious's sons.
  • Investiture Controversy: Conflict between Popes and Emperors over church appointments.
  • Struggle for the Crown: Numerous contested successions and civil wars throughout the centuries.

Interconnectedness

The family tree highlights the remarkable interconnectedness through marriage. Rulers were often related by blood or marriage, creating complex alliances and rivalries that shaped European political landscapes.

  • Strategic marriages were crucial for consolidating power and territory.
  • Royal families across Europe were extensively interlinked.
  • Understanding these connections is key to grasping medieval and early modern European history.

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References

References

A full list of references for this article are available at the Family tree of German monarchs Wikipedia page

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