Herman I, Margrave of Meissen

Who was Herman I, Margrave of Meissen?

Herman I was the Margrave of Meissen from 1009 until his death. He was the eldest son of Eckard I of Meissen and Swanehilde.

Herman married Regelinda, daughter of Boleslaus I of Poland. In 1007, he was created Count of Bautzen. He and his brother Eckard II feuded with their uncle Gunzelin in what was one of 11th-century Germany's ugliest civil wars. The feud concerned "the insult and humiliation entailed in taking and destroying a fortified residence."

When Gunzelin was deposed in August 1009, Herman was selected to replace him. He was on better terms with the Emperor Henry II than Gunzelin was, though even his brother, Eckard, was too friendly towards the Poles for the king's liking. In 1029, he was created Count of the Hassegau the Gau Chutizi.