Henry the Lion

Henry the Lion, also known as Henry III, Duke of Saxony and Henry XII, Duke of Bavaria, was a prominent member of the Welf dynasty. He was a powerful German prince who, at the peak of his rule, governed a territory extending from the North and Baltic seas to the Alps, and from Westphalia to Pomerania. Henry’s political and military skills, combined with the inheritance from his grandparents, contributed to his vast power. However, the Hohenstaufen dynasty, led by Emperor Frederick Barbarossa and his son Henry VI, eventually succeeded in isolating Henry and stripping him of his duchies.

Henry founded and developed many cities, including Munich and Lübeck, and he had a significant impact on the urban landscape of Northern Germany and Bavaria. He supported Emperor Frederick in his imperial campaigns but later fell out of favor and was declared an outlaw, leading to his temporary exile. Despite his tumultuous career, Henry’s legacy endures through his architectural sponsorships and as a subject of folklore and cultural works.