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Henry I (876-936), also known as Henry the Fowler, was son of Otto the Illustrious, Duke of Saxony, and became duke himself in 912. He was of Saxon descent, and often was in conflict with his southern neighbours. He became king of East Francia in 919 after King Cornad I's death, named as the king's successor on his deathbed, becoming the first non-Frankish king.<br/><br/> Henry's election to king had not been supported by all the dukes, so he warred to bring them in line, especially against Duke Arnulf of Bavaria, who he finally defeated in 921 and forced to submit. He was too weak to impose absolutist rule, and instead regarded East Francia as a confederation of stem duchies, administering his power through counts and allowing the dukes large internal autonomy. He warred against the Magyars, Slavs and Danes, as well as against West Francia over Lotharingia.<br/><br/> Henry died in 936, having prevented collapse of royal power in East Francia, and leaving a much stronger kingdom for his successor Otto I. He established the Ottonian Dynasty and is generally considered the founder and first king of the mediaeval German state.
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.<br/><br/> 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.<br/><br/> 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.
Arnulf (850-899), also known as Arnulf of Carinthia, was the illegitimate son of King Carloman of Bavaria and nephew of Emperor Charles the Fat. Arnulf became Duke of Carinthia, and more or less ruled Bavaria as well. Arnulf's ambition led him to lead a bloodless revolt in 887 that saw his uncle deposed as emperor and Arnulf crowned as King of East Francia.<br/><br/> Arnulf was a warrior king rather than a diplomatic one, constantly battling the Slavs, Danes and Normans. He took advantage of internal strife in West Francia to secure the territory of Lotharingia, giving it to his son. He intervened constantly in West Francia, playing the different king claimants against each other to secure more territory for himself. He invaded Italy in 894 at the pope's behest, becoming King of Italy. He was later crowned Holy Roman emperor in 896.<br/><br/> Arnulf suffered a stroke while campaigning against his rivals in Italy, and he had to retreat back to Bavaria, soon losing control of Italy. He died in December 899, with the crown to East Francia passing to his only legitimate son, Louis the Child, last of the east Frankish branch of the Carolingian dynasty.
Arnulf (850-899), also known as Arnulf of Carinthia, was the illegitimate son of King Carloman of Bavaria and nephew of Emperor Charles the Fat. Arnulf became Duke of Carinthia, and more or less ruled Bavaria as well. Arnulf's ambition led him to lead a bloodless revolt in 887 that saw his uncle deposed as emperor and Arnulf crowned as King of East Francia.<br/><br/> Arnulf was a warrior king rather than a diplomatic one, constantly battling the Slavs, Danes and Normans. He took advantage of internal strife in West Francia to secure the territory of Lotharingia, giving it to his son. He intervened constantly in West Francia, playing the different king claimants against each other to secure more territory for himself. He invaded Italy in 894 at the pope's behest, becoming King of Italy. He was later crowned Holy Roman emperor in 896.<br/><br/> Arnulf suffered a stroke while campaigning against his rivals in Italy, and he had to retreat back to Bavaria, soon losing control of Italy. He died in December 899, with the crown to East Francia passing to his only legitimate son, Louis the Child, last of the east Frankish branch of the Carolingian dynasty.
Henry I (876-936), also known as Henry the Fowler, was son of Otto the Illustrious, Duke of Saxony, and became duke himself in 912. He was of Saxon descent, and often was in conflict with his southern neighbours. He became king of East Francia in 919 after King Cornad I's death, named as the king's successor on his deathbed, becoming the first non-Frankish king.<br/><br/> Henry's election to king had not been supported by all the dukes, so he warred to bring them in line, especially against Duke Arnulf of Bavaria, who he finally defeated in 921 and forced to submit. He was too weak to impose absolutist rule, and instead regarded East Francia as a confederation of stem duchies, administering his power through counts and allowing the dukes large internal autonomy. He warred against the Magyars, Slavs and Danes, as well as against West Francia over Lotharingia.<br/><br/> Henry died in 936, having prevented collapse of royal power in East Francia, and leaving a much stronger kingdom for his successor Otto I. He established the Ottonian Dynasty and is generally considered the founder and first king of the mediaeval German state.