Germany: Conrad I (881-918), King of East Francia, from the book Romanorvm imperatorvm effigies: elogijs ex diuersis scriptoribus per Thomam Treteru S. Mariae Transtyberim canonicum collectis, 1583

Conrad I (881-918), also known as Conrad of Germany and Conrad the Younger, was the son of Duke Conrad of Thuringia and a maternal relative of Emperor Arnulf of Carinthia. After conflict with the rival Babenbergian dukes led to the death of his father, Conrad became duke of Franconia.

When King Louis the Child died in 911, Conrad became the first non-Carolingian king of East Francia. Conrad soon found that, since he had been a duke himself, establishing his authority over the dukes became a rather difficult proposition, with the various dukes either making great demands of him or rebelling against his rule at various times.

It was while trying to put down one of his errant dukes, Duke Arnulf of Bavaria, that Conrad received a severe injury which would lead to his death in December 918. On his deathbed Conrad managed to persuade his younger brother Eberhard of Franconia to give the crown to Duke Henry the Fowler of Saxony, believing him to be the only man who could hold East Francia together.

Copyright:

Supplier: CPA Media Co. Ltd.

Credit:

Pictures From History