Frederick I, Barbarossa c.1123-1190
Holy Roman Emperor and King of Germany and Italy

Of the Hohenstaufen family, he was the son of Frederick, Duke of Swabia. He succeeded his uncle Conrad III as Emperor in 1152. Earnest and distinguished, he channelled his intelligence and enthusiasm into establishing German predominance in western Europe. In 1162 his conquest of Milan subdued the rebellious Italian states, but his failure to defeat the pope led to revolt in Lombardy. After his defeat at Legnano (1176) he won Lombard support by more lenient rule, and in 1177 he acknowledged Alexander III as pope, and finally achieved peace (1183). In Germany, Frederick increased the authority of his strongest rebels and checked the weaker by supporting their municipal communities. Duke Ladislas of Bohemia became a king, Austria became a duchy, and Brunswick and L�neburg went to the Guelf princes. He subdued Henry the Lion of Bavaria, and gained authority over Poland, Hungary, Denmark and Burgundy. In 1189 he led the Third Crusade against Saladin, defeating the Muslims at Philomelium and Iconium, but drowned at Cilicia. His son, Henry VI, succeeded him.