Frederick I of the Holy Roman Empire
Frederick I, called Barbarossa, was King of the Romans from 1152 and emperor from 1155. A Hohenstaufen, he contested power in Italy and took part in the Third Crusade. He set out overland in 1189 and drowned in the River Saleph on 10 June 1190, before reaching the Holy Land. He was the father of Philip of Swabia.
This complete profile is available in English. Bibliographic titles retain their original language. Links marked ES open the Spanish edition.
Key details
Birth: 1122 Approximate
Death: 10 June 1190 Documented
Role: Emperor
Other recorded names: Federico Barbarroja · Frederick Barbarossa · Friedrich I. Barbarossa
Dynasty: Hohenstaufen · ES
Territories: Germany (ES) · Holy Roman Empire (ES)
Recorded relationships
Their titles over time
Follow the changing territories and offices of Frederick I of the Holy Roman Empire. Each title retains its own status.
Governments in 1155
- Holy Roman Empire (Germany)2 titles and offices
View titles and jurisdictions
- Germany · ESKing of the Romans · Effective rule1152–1190
- Holy Roman Empire · ESEmperor · Effective rule1155–1190
Annual dates: overlap within one year does not prove that two offices were held on the same day. Regencies and co-rulerships retain their labels.
Sources for this profile
- Hermann Heimpel · Friedrich I. Barbarossa, Neue Deutsche Biographie 5 (1961)
- Treccani · Federiciana, familia Hohenstaufen
Biographical and contextual references in their original language. Sources and methodology.
Evidence for this profile
4 recorded claims · 0 without a claim-specific source. Context references do not by themselves verify every fact.
Dates (2/2 with a precise source)
- BirthApproximate
1122
- DeathDocumented
10 June 1190
Governments (2/2 with a precise source)
- GovernmentDocumented
King of the Romans · Germany · 1152–1190
- GovernmentDocumented
Emperor · Holy Roman Empire · 1155–1190
Biographical and contextual references (2)
Editorial history
- 2026-10-12 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.
- 2026-10-08 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.
- 2026-10-04 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.
- 2026-10-04 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.
- 2026-10-03 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.
- 2026-09-30 · The duchy is limited to Dijon and Autun; each other fief now enters the map only under its dated ruler. John III of Namur and the Nevers/Rethel branch were added. The previous shape combined later counties and unrelated lands as if all belonged to the duchy from 1363.
- 2026-09-28 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.
Follow this person through history
More paths from Frederick I of the Holy Roman Empire
Same dynasty
Agnes of Hohenstaufen · ESConsort1176 – 1204Maria of Swabia · ESConsort1201 – 1235Beatrice of Swabia · ESConsort1205 – 1235
Frederick II of the Holy Roman Empire“Stupor Mundi”Emperor1194 – 1250Kunigunde of Swabia · ESConsort1202 – 1248Henry VII of Hohenstaufen · ESKing1211 – 1242In their lifetime
Otto IV of the Holy Roman EmpireEmperor1175 – 1218Empress Matilda · ESEmpress · Lady of the English1102 – 1167Constance of Aragon · ESConsort1179 – 1222Irene Angelina · ESConsort1181 – 1208
Henry II of EnglandKing of England · Duke of Normandy and Aquitaine · Count of Anjou1133 – 1189
John of England“Lackland”King of England · Lord of Ireland1166 – 1216