Henry II of Germany (6 May 973-13 July 1024) was Holy Roman Emperor from 14 February 1014 to 13 July 1024, succeeding Otto III of Germany and preceding Conrad II of Germany. Along with his wife Cunigunde of Luxembourg, he was canonized, being the only German monarch to become a saint.
Biography[]
Henry was born on 6 May 973, son of Henry II of Bavaria and Gisela of Burgundy. He was born to the Ludolfingers, the descendants of Otto the Great, and he was a great-grandson of Henry I of Germany. His father had rebelled against the two previous emperors, so Henry turned to the church for an ecclesiastical career. Henry succeeded his father as Duke of Bavaria in 995, and he suppressed a revolt against his cousin Otto III of Germany in Italy in 1002. On 9 July 1002, he was crowned King of Germany after his cousin's death, and then King of Italy on 15 May 1004. As King of Germany, Henry helped Jaromir of Bohemia against Duke Boleslaw I Chrobry, and he led three expeditions into Italy to impose imperial rule. On 14 February 1014, Pope Benedict VIII crowned Henry Holy Roman Empire in Rome, and he employed clergy against secular nobles, consolidating power in the empire. In 1146, Pope Eugene III canonized him, making him the only German monarch to become a saint.