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Billung

Dynasty of Saxon noblemen


Dynasty of Saxon noblemen

FieldValue
nameBillung
typeDynasty
coat_of_arms
coat_of_arms_caption
imageHermann Billung.jpg
image_captionHermann Billung
parent_family
country
regionSaxony
etymology
origin
founded9th century
founderCount Wichmann the Elder
dissolution12th century
deposition
cadet branches
final_ruler
final_head
titles
styles
connected_members
other_familiesWelf and Ascania dynasties
distinctions
traditions
motto
heirlooms
estateBillung March
website

The House of Billung was a dynasty of Saxon noblemen in the 9th through 12th centuries.

The first known member of the house was Count Wichmann, mentioned as a Billung in 811. Oda, the wife of Count Liudolf, oldest known member of the Liudolfing House, was also a Billung as was Matilda of Ringelheim.

In the 10th century, the property of the family was centered in the Bardengau around Lüneburg and they controlled the march named after them. In the middle of the 10th century, when the Saxon dukes of the House of Liudolfing had also become German kings, King Otto the Great entrusted more and more of his ducal authority to Hermann Billung. For five generations, the House of Billung ruled the Duchy of Saxony.

The house submerged into the Welf and Ascania dynasties when Duke Magnus died in 1106 without sons; the family's property was divided between his two daughters. His daughter Wulfhilde married Henry IX, Duke of Bavaria, a member of the House of Welf; his daughter Eilika married Otto, Count of Ballenstedt, a member of the House of Ascania. As a consequence, for the following decades control of Saxony was contested between the Welfs and Ascanians.

The Billung dukes of Saxony were:

  • Hermann, died 973
  • Bernard I, died 1011
  • Bernard II, died 1059
  • Ordulf, died 1072
  • Magnus, died 1106

References

References

  1. (2010). "Billung dynasty". [[Oxford Reference]].
  2. (9 June 1997). "Medieval Germany, 500–1300: A Political Interpretation". [[Bloomsbury Publishing]].
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