Frederick+I+Barbarossa

= Frederick I Barbarossa =

Frederick I (1122-1190), was born from Germany’s two most powerful families, is considered one of the most charismatic, influential and popular leaders of the middle ages. Frederick I, or Frederick Barbarossa as he is often touted, held many titles in his 35 year reign, including King of Germany, King of Italy and Holy Roman Emperor. The name Barbarossa, is Italian for “red beard” and was a name attributed to him out of fearful respect by the Italians whose land he marched on several times, in his quest to assert his authority and gain total power. During his reign he was so feared, respected and popular that legend has it Barbarossa is not dead but asleep, waiting to awaken when Germany is reunified once again, when he will restore his nation to its former greatness.
 * ~ ==Frederick I Barbarossa== ||
 * [[image:barb.png link="@http://www.vyperlook.com/odd-strange/worlds-strangest-and-unexpected-deaths"]] ||
 * **Life:** AD1122-1190 ||
 * **Reign:** AD1152-1190 ||

**﻿Life and Reign**
Frederick Barbarossa was a strong-willed and lively youth of only 27-28 years at the time of his election as King in 1152. It is assumed that hewas an apt soldier from his youth, having received the finest military education afforded to a German prince. He is described by his biography, as being of character so great ‘that not even those envious of his power are capable of belittling its praise.’ Frederick is also described to be striking in appearance,with ‘sharp and piercing eyes’ and a ‘bright and cheerful face.’ His charisma, sensibilities and abilities as a warrior were all equal contributors to his success.
 * [[image:hist2615/barb2.jpg width="379" height="247" align="right"]] ||
 * Frederick and his rival Henry the Lion ||

After his accession to the German throne Frederick sought higher powers and wrote to the Pope expressing his desire to restore ‘the glory of the Roman Empire.' Frederick was a man of ambition from the time he was young, and upon his accession he immediately sought about restoring order in Germany and restoring it to the glory it had witnessed under the great King Charlemagne. He thirsted for even more power and marched on Italy several times, taking the crown early in the process. On the 18th of June 1155 Frederick I Barbarossa was crowned the Holy Roman Emperor by Pope Adrian IV. Barbarossa added to his realm by marrying Beatrice of Burgundy, adding Burgundy to his already sizeable kingdom.

Legacy
Unlike many rulers from the middle ages, Frederick can attribute the greater majority of his success to his political skill and not to the muscle of his soldiers. Although there were cases which he used brute force to get his way, Barbarossa can attribute most of his political victories to his wits, patience and charisma.According to myth, Frederick sleeps in the Kyffhauser Mountain in Bavaria, where he waits to awake and once again restore Germany to its former empirical glory.


 * [[image:barb3.jpg width="355" height="290" align="right"]] ||
 * [|Monument to Frederick Barbarossa at Kyffhauser Mountain, Bavaria] ||