Ratolf (Sorbenmark)

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Ratolf was the second verifiable margrave of the Sorbenmark in 874 .

According to research by Alfred Friese, the name Ratolf indicates a relationship with Hadaburg. Accordingly, the dux of the Sorbenmark Ratolf would be identical to the son Ratolf des Popponen (Franconian Babenbergers) Heimerich, a son of Count Heimerich (Count 750 / 802-812) and the Hadaburg. Ratolf's father died in 836, and in 838 he was his successor Count in the grave field .

He succeeded Margrave Thakulf, who died on August 1, 873, in office, who was mentioned three times in this position from 849 onwards and who had probably received it on the occasion of the division of the Franconian Empire by the Treaty of Verdun (843). Ratolf was mentioned only once, in January 874, as Margrave of the Sorbian Mark.

After Thakulf's death the Sorbs and the neighboring Siuslers fell away from the Frankish Empire and undertook a raid into the neighboring Thuringian area west of the Saale . At the time, personal ties were more crucial than political ties. The Sorbs and Siuslers therefore did not feel obliged to King Ludwig the German , who had ruled Eastern Franconia since 843 , and at the beginning of 874 no longer paid any tribute. In January 874 he therefore sent his Arch Chancellor Liutbert , Archbishop of Mainz , together with the new Margrave Ratolf to a devastating army campaign across the Saale into Sorbian territory. The rebels submitted without a fight and renewed their recognition of the East Franconian sovereignty and their tribute obligation.

Ratolf's successor in the office of the Margrave of the Sorbs was his cousin Poppo von Thuringia , Count im Volkfeld , who is mentioned in the Annales Fuldenses for the year 880 after a victory over the Sorbs as comes et dux Sorabici limes . According to Alfred Friese, Ratolf may have been ousted by Poppo shortly after taking office and is identical to the cleric Ratolf, who appeared in Fulda documents in 876.

Remarks

  1. ^ Alfred Friese: Studies on the history of rule of the Franconian nobility. The mainland-Thuringian region from the 7th to the 11th century. (= History and society. Bochum historical writings. Volume 18, edited by Ferdinand Seibt and Albrecht Timm ) Klett-Cotta, Stuttgart 1979, p. 104.
  2. ^ Ernst Friedrich Johann Dronke : Codex - Diplomaticus Fuldensis 512 with the mention of a comes Ratolf for the year 838 in the grave field.
  3. ↑ Ludwig the German - RI I n. 1498f - 874 ian. 00, .... Dispatch of an army under the leadership of Archbishop Liutbert and Ratolfs, the successor of August 1st. 873 (Ann. Necrol. Fuld. MG SS. 13,182 cf. Ann. Fuld. 873) deceased counts of the Sorbian march Thachulf, against the Sorbs and the Siuslers who were next to them, who had fallen away after Thachulf's death: the army spreads devastatingly over the Saale before and subjugates the insurgents without a fight. Ann. Fuld. In: Regesta Imperii Online RI I n.1498f (accessed July 20, 2020).
  4. ^ Ernst Friedrich Johann Dronke: Codex - Diplomaticus Fuldensis 617 ff.
personal data
SURNAME Ratolf
BRIEF DESCRIPTION Margrave of the Sorbian Mark
DATE OF BIRTH before 874
DATE OF DEATH after 874