Conrad, Duke of Thuringia

Who was Conrad, Duke of Thuringia?

Conrad, called the Old or the Elder, was the Duke of Thuringia until 892 and the Duke of Franconia until his death. He was the namesake of the Conradiner family and son of Udo of Neustria. His mother was a daughter of Conrad I of Logenahe. He was the count of the Oberlahngau, Hessengau, Gotzfeldgau, Wetterau, and Wormsgau. He united all of Hesse under his political control and thus bequeathed to his heirs what would be the Duchy of Franconia.

Early in his career, Conrad feuded with the Babenbergs Henry of Franconia and Adalbert. Conrad's chief residence was Friedeslar in Hesse. He was a comes and ministerialis of Arnulf of Germany in 891. In 892, Duke Poppo was deposed from his offices and replaced in Thuringia and the Sorbian March by Conrad. He only held the dukedom briefly before he was replaced by Burchard. The reason for his appointment probably represent a change in Arnulf's policy in favour of the Conradines over the Babenbergs; but Conrad's short tenure may reflect his lack of support in Thuringia or an unwillingness on his part to be confined there.

Conrad sent his son, later Conrad I of Germany, against his enemies, the brothers Gerard and Matfrid, in 906.