Historical Figure
Frederick Barbarossa
d. 1190
Holy Roman Emperor from 1155 to 1190
Talk to Frederick Barbarossa
Have a conversation with this historical figure through AI
Biography
Frederick Barbarossa, also known as Frederick I, was the Holy Roman emperor from 1155 until his death in 1190. He was elected King of Germany in Frankfurt on 4 March 1152 and crowned in Aachen on 9 March 1152. He was crowned King of Italy on 24 April 1155 in Pavia and emperor by Pope Adrian IV on 18 June 1155 in Rome. Two years later, the term sacrum ("holy") first appeared in a document in connection with his empire. He was later formally crowned King of Burgundy, at Arles on 30 June 1178. His nickname of Barbarossa "was first used by the Florentines only in 1298 to differentiate the emperor from his grandson, Frederick II ... and was never employed in medieval Germany". In German, he was known as Kaiser Rotbart, which in English means "Emperor Redbeard". The prevalence of the Italian nickname, even in later German usage, reflects the centrality of the Italian campaigns under his reign, and "remains to this day one of the [most] powerful historical monikers."
Timeline
The story of Frederick Barbarossa, told in moments.
Born into the Hohenstaufen dynasty, probably in Swabia. His nickname "Barbarossa" came from his red beard. The Italians gave it to him. Not as a compliment.
Crowned Holy Roman Emperor by Pope Adrian IV. The ceremony nearly fell apart because Frederick initially refused to hold the Pope's stirrup. He gave in.
Destroyed Milan. Razed the city walls and salted the ground around them. The Milanese had defied his authority one time too many.
Defeated at the Battle of Legnano by the Lombard League. Italian city-states proved that organized infantry could beat imperial cavalry. Frederick had to negotiate.
Drowned crossing the Saleph River in Anatolia during the Third Crusade. He was 67, in full armor, on horseback. His army fell apart without him.
In Their Own Words (1)
Artifacts (3)
More from the High Medieval
Explore what happened on the days that shaped Frederick Barbarossa's life. Today In History connects historical figures with the events, births, and deaths that defined their era. Browse all historical figures or explore today's events.