House of Swabia

The House of Swabia rules the western portion of the Holy Roman Empire. Founded in 1080, by Prinz Henry, Swabia's main expansion has occured at the cost of the Milanese and the French.

History of Swabia

Swabia's history has seen tragedy, triumph, and despair, and she has often assumed an independent attitude towards the Kaisers.

Early days

The first signifcant event for Swabia occured when Prinz Henry, the Duke of Swabia, adopted Sigismund der Stolze, a Swiss nobleman from Bern. In time, Sigismund would lead the Reich to successive victories over the Milanese.

Shortly after adopting Sigismund, Prinz Henry called together the Swabian levies and marched against the rebellious town of Metz. In 1090, with the help of Sigismund der Stolze, Prinz Henry had stormed the castle, and Lorraine was returned to the Reich.

At the Imperial Diet of 1100, Swabia gained her first new province. Kaiser Heinrich granted the newly conquered province of Lorraine to the Duchy in return for her loyal service. Prinz Henry gave the fief to his adopted son and heir, Sigismund der Stolze, and he became the first Count of Lorraine.

In 1118, Sigismund der Stolze successfully sallied against the Milanese besieging Bern, and thus paved the way for his ensuing Chancellorship.

Rise to Prominence

At the Diet of 1120, Sigismund der Stolze was unanimously elected as the Reich's second Chancellor. Due to his Swabian heritage, Swabia played key roles in the ultimate destruction of the republic of Milan. Swabia also gained her second province, Helvetia, which was added to the demesne of the Duke of Swabia.

In 1126, Prinz Henry stormed the town of Dijon, in Burgundy, whose rebellious occupants had been conquered by the Milanese. His assault proved to be the final blow to the ambitions of Milan. Never again would she hold any territory on the mainland. Her last remaining role was to fade away into the dustbin of history.

The Diet of 1130 caused discomfort in the Reich, due to a mistake by the Chancellor in calculating the length between Diets. However, during the Diet, the Kaiser graciously bestowed the Duchy of Burgundy to Swabia, and Swabia now had a firm frontier against the French.