Matilda of Swabia

Matilda of Swabia (c. 988/9 – c. 1030/4) (also Mathilde) was a member of the Conradine dynasty. She was married firstly to Conrad of Carinthia and secondly to Frederick of Upper Lotharingia. She played an active role in promoting her son, Conrad II, as a candidate for the German throne after 1024. To this end, she corresponded with King Mieszko II of Poland.

Matilda was born circa 988. Her parents were Herman II, Duke of Swabia and his wife Gerberga of Burgundy, daughter of Conrad I of Burgundy. She had many illustrious relatives. Through her father, Matilda was descended from Henry the Fowler; through her mother from Louis IV of France and Charlemagne. Matilda’s sister, Gisela of Swabia married Emperor Conrad II. Their cousin was Henry II. After the death of Emperor Otto III, Matilda’s father, Herman, opposed the election of Henry II as king of Germany, and promoted himself as a rival candidate for the throne. (Herman and Henry both claimed descent from Henry the Fowler, progenitor of the Ottonian dynasty.)

c.1001/2 Matilda married Conrad of Carinthia, a member of the Salian dynasty. Conrad I supported her father’s bid for the German throne. Their marriage was consanguineous and was condemned by Henry II (her father’s rival) at the synod of Thionville (January 1003). Nevertheless, the couple remained together until Conrad’s death in 1011. After Conrad died, his young son with Matilda, Conrad II was passed over in the succession for the duchy of Carinthia. Instead Henry II (who was now crowned king of Germany), passed the duchy to Adalbert of Eppenstein, who was married to Matilda’s sister, Beatrice.

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