Otto II, Duke of Swabia

Who was Otto II, Duke of Swabia?

Otto II was Count Palatine of Lotharingia, then Duke of Swabia, and all the while Count in Deutz and Auelgau. He was the son of Ezzo and Matilda, and a member of the Ezzonian dynasty. He was also the protector of Brauweiler Abbey, which had been founded by his parents.

In 1034, Otto's father, the Count Palatine Ezzo, died. As Otto's older brother Liudolf had died in 1031, he succeeded his father as Count Palatine. On 7 April 1045, Henry III, King of Germany and also Duke of Swabia, offered the latter title to Otto. In exchange, Otto gave up the County Palatine, which was bestowed on his cousin Henry. Also, his territories in Kaiserswerth and Duisburg devolved onto the crown.