Frederick Barbarossa

Frederick I Hohenstaufen (1122 – June 10, 1190), also known as Frederick Barbarossa ("Frederick Redbeard") was elected king of Germany on March 4, 1152 and was crowned Holy Roman Emperor on June 18, 1155. He was also Duke of Swabia (1147-1152, as Frederick III) and King of Italy (1154-1186). As son of Duke Frederick II of Swabia and Judith of Bavaria, from the rival House of Guelph, Frederick descended from Germany's two principal families, making him an acceptable choice for the Empire's princely electors as heir to the Imperial crown.

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