# Philip of Swabia > King of the Germans, Duke of Toscana and Swabia (February/March 1177 – 21 June 1208) **Wikidata**: [Q121130](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q121130) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philip_of_Swabia) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/philip-of-swabia ## Summary Philip of Swabia was born in August 1177 in Pavia[1] and died on June 21, 1208 in Bamberg[2][1]. A citizen of Germany[3], he was the son of Frederick Barbarossa[4] and Beatrice I, Countess of Burgundy[4]. He married Irene Angelina in 1197, and they remained together until his death in 1208[4].Philip held multiple significant positions throughout his life. He served as Roman Catholic bishop of Würzburg from 1190 onward and was also recognized as a Catholic priest and Catholic bishop. His religious affiliation was with the Catholic Church[5]. In addition to his ecclesiastical roles, he became King of the Romans from 1198 to 1208 and held the title of Duke of Swabia.He had several siblings including Frederick V, Duke of Swabia, Conrad II, Duke of Swabia, Otto I, Count of Burgundy, Frederick VI, Duke of Swabia, and Henry VI[4]. With his wife Irene Angelina, Philip fathered four children: Beatrice of Swabia, Kunigunde of Hohenstaufen, Elisabeth of Swabia, and Marie of Hohenstaufen[4]. ## Summary Philip of Swabia was King of the Germans and Duke of Swabia and Tuscany, a pivotal figure in medieval German politics. Born into the Hohenstaufen dynasty, he played a central role in the power struggles of the Holy Roman Empire, notably through his marriage alliances and political maneuvering. His assassination in 1208 marked a turning point in imperial politics, leading to the eventual rise of the Habsburg dynasty. ## Biography - **Born**: February/March 1177 - **Nationality**: German (Holy Roman Empire) - **Known for**: King of the Germans (1198–1208), Duke of Swabia (1196–1208), and Duke of Tuscany (1195–1197) - **Employer(s)/Affiliations**: House of Hohenstaufen, Holy Roman Empire - **Field(s)**: Politics, Royalty ## Contributions Philip of Swabia’s political career was defined by his strategic alliances and conflicts: - **Election as King**: Elected King of the Germans in 1198, opposing Otto IV, sparking a civil war supported by the Papacy. - **Marriage Alliance**: Married Irene Angelina, daughter of Byzantine Emperor Isaac II Angelos, strengthening ties between the Holy Roman Empire and Byzantium. - **Assassination**: Killed in 1208 by the son of his rival, Ermengarde of Hohenstaufen, leading to a temporary resolution of the imperial succession crisis. ## FAQs ### What were Philip of Swabia’s titles? He was King of the Germans (1198–1208), Duke of Swabia (1196–1208), and Duke of Tuscany (1195–1197). ### Who were his key family members? He was a member of the House of Hohenstaufen, son of Frederick Barbarossa’s cousin Conrad, and married Irene Angelina of Byzantium. ### How did he die? He was assassinated on 21 June 1208 by Otto VIII of Wittelsbach, son of his political rival. ### What was his political legacy? His death led to the eventual reconciliation between the Hohenstaufens and the Papacy, paving the way for Frederick II’s rule. ## Why They Matter Philip of Swabia’s reign exacerbated the Hohenstaufen-Welf rivalry, shaping the Holy Roman Empire’s political landscape. His alliance with Byzantium and his assassination underscored the volatility of medieval imperial politics. Without his leadership, the trajectory of the Empire might have shifted earlier toward Habsburg dominance, altering Central European history. ## Notable For - First Hohenstaufen king to rule without simultaneous control of the Kingdom of Sicily. - His marriage to Irene Angelina linked German and Byzantine interests. - His death triggered a power vacuum that influenced the Golden Bull of 1356, formalizing imperial election procedures. ## Body ### Early Life and Family Philip was born in February or March 1177 into the House of Hohenstaufen, a powerful imperial dynasty. His father, Conrad, was a cousin of Emperor Frederick Barbarossa, and his mother, Judith of Bavaria, belonged to the House of Guelph. This lineage immersed him in the political rivalries of the Holy Roman Empire. ### Rise to Power Philip’s career began as Duke of Tuscany (1195–1197) and later Duke of Swabia (1196–1208). After the death of Emperor Henry VI in 1197, he was elected King of the Germans in 1198, opposing the Welf candidate Otto IV. This election sparked a civil war, with Philip supported by the Papacy and Otto backed by England and France. ### Political Conflicts Philip’s reign was marked by clashes with the Papacy over imperial authority. His marriage to Irene Angelina (1197) secured an alliance with the Byzantine Empire, enhancing his legitimacy. However, his assassination in 1208 by Otto VIII of Wittelsbach, motivated by a personal feud, abruptly ended his rule. ### Legacy Philip’s death led to a temporary reconciliation between the Hohenstaufens and the Papacy, enabling Frederick II’s later ascension. His inability to resolve the imperial succession crisis highlighted the fragility of medieval governance, contributing to the eventual codification of election laws in the Golden Bull of 1356. ### Historical Context As a member of the Hohenstaufen dynasty, Philip embodied the struggle between imperial and papal power. His policies and alliances, though cut short by assassination, influenced the Empire’s trajectory toward the Late Middle Ages. His reign exemplified the interplay of dynastic ambition, ecclesiastical intervention, and regional conflict that defined medieval German politics. ## References 1. Integrated Authority File 2. Enciclopedia Federiciana. 2005 3. Source 4. IdRef 5. Catholic-Hierarchy.org 6. International Standard Name Identifier 7. BnF authorities 8. Virtual International Authority File 9. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013 10. [Source](http://www.regesta-imperii.de/id/b23748d0-c47b-4c1e-a43b-179a6b3a523f) 11. [Source](http://www.regesta-imperii.de/id/1309-06-10_1_0_6_4_1_226_184) 12. [Source](http://www.regesta-imperii.de/id/1309-08-21_1_0_6_4_1_300_258) 13. [Source](http://www.regesta-imperii.de/id/f8d394cc-3e04-486e-8441-bc855b29e3a1) 14. Sejm-Wielki.pl 15. Bibliography of the History of the Czech Lands