Otto IV of the Holy Roman Empire
His rival election against Philip of Swabia divided the imperial lands. Defeat at Bouvines decisively weakened his position against Frederick II.
This complete profile is available in English. Bibliographic titles retain their original language. Links marked ES open the Spanish edition.
Key details
Birth: 1175 Documented
Death: 19 May 1218 Documented
Role: Emperor
Dynasty: Welf · ES
Territories: Germany (ES) · Holy Roman Empire (ES)
Recorded relationships
Their titles over time
Follow the changing territories and offices of Otto IV of the Holy Roman Empire. Each title retains its own status.
Governments in 1209
- Holy Roman Empire (Germany)Emperor
View titles and jurisdictions
- Holy Roman Empire · ESEmperor · Effective rule1209–1215
Nominal and disputed titles (1)
- Germany · ESKing of the Romans · Rival1198–1215
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
- Academia de Göttingen · Brunswick y sus residencias
- Deutsche Nationalbibliothek · GND authority record · Otto IV., Heiliges Römisches Reich, Kaiser
- Encyclopaedia Britannica
Biographical and contextual references in their original language. Sources and methodology.
Evidence for this profile
6 recorded claims · 4 without a claim-specific source. Context references do not by themselves verify every fact.
Dates (2/2 with a precise source)
- BirthDocumented
1175
The authority record gives the birth as 1175. - DeathDocumented
19 May 1218
The authority record gives the death as 1218-05-19.
Family and relationships (0/2 with a precise source)
- FatherPending review
Henry of Saxony and Bavaria
A precise source has not yet been added. - MotherPending review
Matilda of England
A precise source has not yet been added.
Governments (0/2 with a precise source)
- GovernmentPending review
King of the Romans · Germany · 1198–1215
A precise source has not yet been added. - GovernmentPending review
Emperor · Holy Roman Empire · 1209–1215
A precise source has not yet been added.
Biographical and contextual references (3)
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 Otto IV of the Holy Roman Empire
Same dynasty
Henry V of the Palatinate · ESCount palatine1173 – 1227Agnes of the Palatinate · ESConsort1201 – 1267Helvis of Brunswick-Grubenhagen · ESConsort1353 – 1421Catherine of Brunswick-Lüneburg · ESConsortc. 1395 – 1442Anna Maria of Brunswick-Lüneburg · ESConsort1532 – 1568William the Younger of Brunswick-Lüneburg · ESDuke1535 – 1592In their lifetime
Frederick II of the Holy Roman Empire“Stupor Mundi”Emperor1194 – 1250Frederick I of the Holy Roman Empire“Barbarossa”Emperorc. 1122 – 1190
Rudolf I of HabsburgKing1218 – 1291Henry Raspe · ESKing1204 – 1247Philip of Swabia · ESKing1177 – 1208Henry VII of Hohenstaufen · ESKing1211 – 1242