Otto I, Duke of Brunswick-Göttingen
Encyclopedia
Otto the Evil was a member of the House of Guelph. He was a Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg from 1367 Duke in the Principality of Göttingen
.
, where he also held several large jousting tournaments. Over time, however, he had a number of disputes with the citizens of the city.
Otto's contemporaries called him , which is Low German
for "the evil". He received this nickname due to the almost unbroken series of feuds he was involved in. Otto has been described as a prominent representative of the former knighthood. He often allied himself with noble Knights to fight against other princes or against the cities, whose burgeoning power was anathema to him. During these clashes, Otto often changed sides. Sometimes, he fought several feuds simultaneously.
From 1367 onwards, he pursued hereditary claims of the Landgraviate of Hesse
. He tried to enforce his claims in a military alliance with the knights in the Star League
. A the same time, he fought in the Lüneburg War of Succession
. At first, he fought on the side of Magnus II
against the House of Ascania. He was able to secure the reign of Brunswick
from 1374 to 1381. Ultimately, he failed in both Hesse and Brunswick and had to withdraw in exchange for financial compensation.
In 1387, he tried to impose his influence on the city of Göttingen, but had little success. In April, the citizens of Göttingen sturmed the ducal castle inside the city walls. In return, Otto devastated villages and farmsteads in the area. In July, the citizens under captain Moritz von Uslar defatead him in a pitched battle between Rosdorf and Grone. In August, Otto was forced to recognize the freedom of Göttingen's possessions in the area.
After he was expelled from Göttingen, Otto had to reside in Hardegsen, where he had acquired Hardeg Castle in 1379 from the Lords of Rosdorf. By this time, he had been excommunicated
, why is why he was buried in unhallowed ground north of the church of Wiebrechtshausen monastery at Northeim
. He was later posthumously released from the excommunication. After that, a tomb was erected above his a and chapel was built around it. The chapel was later connected to the church.
The final verdict on Otto I is negative, because he overestimated his powers and splintered them when he fought too many fights at once. He left a heavily indebted and politically disorganized country to his only son, Otto II.
Principality of Göttingen
The Principality of Göttingen was a subdivision of the Duchy of Brunswick-Lüneburg in the Holy Roman Empire with Göttingen as its capital. It was split off from the principality of Brunswick in 1286 in the course of an estate division among members of the House of Welf...
.
Life
His father was Ernest I (1305–1367), who assumed power in the Principality of Göttingen in 1345. After several years of co-regency in 1367, Otto took up government in this small and economically weak principality. Otto initially resided in the city of GöttingenGöttingen
Göttingen is a university town in Lower Saxony, Germany. It is the capital of the district of Göttingen. The Leine river runs through the town. In 2006 the population was 129,686.-General information:...
, where he also held several large jousting tournaments. Over time, however, he had a number of disputes with the citizens of the city.
Otto's contemporaries called him , which is Low German
Low German
Low German or Low Saxon is an Ingvaeonic West Germanic language spoken mainly in northern Germany and the eastern part of the Netherlands...
for "the evil". He received this nickname due to the almost unbroken series of feuds he was involved in. Otto has been described as a prominent representative of the former knighthood. He often allied himself with noble Knights to fight against other princes or against the cities, whose burgeoning power was anathema to him. During these clashes, Otto often changed sides. Sometimes, he fought several feuds simultaneously.
From 1367 onwards, he pursued hereditary claims of the Landgraviate of Hesse
Landgraviate of Hesse
The Landgraviate of Hesse was a Landgraviate of the Holy Roman Empire. It existed as a unity from 1264 to 1567, when it was divided between the sons of Philip I, Landgrave of Hesse.-History:...
. He tried to enforce his claims in a military alliance with the knights in the Star League
Star League
Within the fictional BattleTech universe, the Star League was an interstellar empire that united the various states of the Inner Sphere into a single alliance of nations.-The Terran Hegemony:...
. A the same time, he fought in the Lüneburg War of Succession
Lüneburg War of Succession
The Lüneburg War of Succession was a conflict that broke out in 1370 in north Germany and lasted, with interruptions, for 18 years. The war was over the line of succession to the Principality of Lüneburg...
. At first, he fought on the side of Magnus II
Magnus II, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg
Magnus , called Magnus with the Necklace or Magnus II, was Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg, ruling the Brunswick-Lüneburg principalities of Wolfenbüttel and, temporarily, Lüneburg....
against the House of Ascania. He was able to secure the reign of Brunswick
Brunswick
-Australia:* Brunswick, Victoria, a suburb of Melbourne* Electoral district of Brunswick, an electoral district in Victoria* Brunswick Junction, Western Australia, a town near Bunbury* Brunswick Heads, a town on the North Coast of New South Wales-Canada:...
from 1374 to 1381. Ultimately, he failed in both Hesse and Brunswick and had to withdraw in exchange for financial compensation.
In 1387, he tried to impose his influence on the city of Göttingen, but had little success. In April, the citizens of Göttingen sturmed the ducal castle inside the city walls. In return, Otto devastated villages and farmsteads in the area. In July, the citizens under captain Moritz von Uslar defatead him in a pitched battle between Rosdorf and Grone. In August, Otto was forced to recognize the freedom of Göttingen's possessions in the area.
After he was expelled from Göttingen, Otto had to reside in Hardegsen, where he had acquired Hardeg Castle in 1379 from the Lords of Rosdorf. By this time, he had been excommunicated
Excommunication
Excommunication is a religious censure used to deprive, suspend or limit membership in a religious community. The word means putting [someone] out of communion. In some religions, excommunication includes spiritual condemnation of the member or group...
, why is why he was buried in unhallowed ground north of the church of Wiebrechtshausen monastery at Northeim
Northeim
Northeim is a city in Lower Saxony, Germany, seat of the district of Northeim, with, as of 2002, a population of 31 000. It's located on the German Half-Timbered House Road.-History:...
. He was later posthumously released from the excommunication. After that, a tomb was erected above his a and chapel was built around it. The chapel was later connected to the church.
The final verdict on Otto I is negative, because he overestimated his powers and splintered them when he fought too many fights at once. He left a heavily indebted and politically disorganized country to his only son, Otto II.