Theodoric I of Wettin

Who was Theodoric I of Wettin?

Theodoric I, German Dietrich I, also known as Thierry I of Liesgau, is considered the oldest traceable member of the House of Wettin who is known for certain. In genealogy, this makes him the top ancestor of the Dukes, Electors and Kings of Saxony, The Grand Dukes of Saxony-Weimar and Eisenach and the Dukes of the various Saxon Duchies of Thuringia and also of various present-day monarchs, including Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom, King Philippe of Belgium, former King Simeon II of Bulgaria, as well as the last king of Portugal, Manuel II.

Almost nothing is known about Theodoric's life; not even the year of his death is clear. It is believed that he was killed in battle with the Hungarians in 976. He had two sons:

Dedo

Friedrich I, Count of Eilenburg, who had no sons

Because of Theodoric's importance to the genealogy of European royalty, much speculation exists about his ancestry. Three possible fathers have been identified for him, but there is no conclusive evidence for any of them:

Dedi I, Count in the Hassegau, a descendant of Burchard, Duke of Thuringia

Burchard II, Duke of Swabia

Volkmar I, Count in the Harzgau