The Hohenstaufens

The German princely house of Hohenstaufen kept possession of the imperial throne from 1138 to 1254.

The founder of the family was Frederick von Buren, who lived in the eleventh century: he assumed the name of Hohenstaufen from a castle of that name, the ruins of which still stand.

His son, Lord Hohenstaufen, steadfastly supported Henry IV., and in return received the Duchy of Swabia.

This duke left two sons,--Frederick II., the one-eyed, and Konrad.

Henry V. confirmed the former in his Duchy of Swabia, and in 1112 gave Konrad the Duchy of Franconia.

After the death of Henry V. his family estates fell to the house of Hohenstaufen. Lothaire of Saxony was elected emperor; and he revoked the grants to the Hohenstaufens, and thus gave rise to a furious war: in 1135 the brothers were compelled to beg forgiveness of the emperor, and then had their estates restored.

In 1138 Conrad was elected Emperor of Germany, and was succeeded by Frederick I., Henry VI., Philip I., Frederick II., and Conrad IV.