Ernest II of Swabia: Rebellion and Imprisonment (1015–1027)

Ernest II of Swabia, the elder son of Duke Ernest I, inherited the Duchy of Swabia in 1015 as a minor. His reign was defined by continuous conflicts with his stepfather, Emperor Conrad II, particularly over the autonomy of Swabiaand the succession to the Kingdom of Burgundy. His repeated rebellions against imperial authority ultimately led to his imprisonment and political downfall.

Early Rule and Regency (1015–1024)

• Following Ernest I’s death in 1015, the young Ernest II became Duke of Swabia, but due to his minority, the duchy was ruled by a regency.
• His mother, Gisela of Swabia, initially assumed the position of regent before transferring authority to Poppo, Archbishop of Trier.
• In 1016, Gisela remarried Conrad of Franconia, who was later elected King of Germany (Conrad II) in 1024, bringing Ernest into the imperial family but also into conflict with it.

Conflict with Conrad II and the First Rebellion (1025–1026)

• Tensions arose between Conrad and Ernest over Swabia’s independence and their competing claims to Burgundy.
• Both men had a valid claim to succeed King Rudolph III of Burgundy, who was childless.
  • Ernest’s claim came through his mother Gisela, whose mother, Gerberga, was the sister of King Rudolph III.
  • Conrad’s claim rested on his position as King of Germany, which had historic influence over Burgundy’s succession.
• In 1025, Ernest rebelled against Conrad II, refusing to acknowledge imperial authority.
• By 1026, however, Conrad had defeated Ernest’s forces, forcing the young duke to submit.

Imperial Expedition to Italy and Second Rebellion (1026–1027)

• Following his submission, Ernest accompanied Conrad II’s Italian expedition (1026–1027), demonstrating his temporary reconciliation with the emperor.
• During the campaign, Conrad ordered Ernest to return to Swabia to crush lingering resistance to imperial rule.
• However, upon returning, Ernest once again rebelled, joining the local opposition against Conrad rather than suppressing it.

Defeat and Imprisonment (1027)

• Ernest failed to rally Swabian support, as most local rulers remained loyal to Conrad.
• After facing widespread opposition, he was forced to surrender and was imprisoned by Conrad II.
• Despite her support for Conrad, Gisela intervened on behalf of her son, ensuring that he remained Duke of Swabia, though she likely governed in his stead during his captivity.

Legacy and Impact

• Ernest’s repeated rebellions weakened Swabia’s autonomy, strengthening imperial authority in the duchy.
• His failure to secure support from the Swabian nobility showed the limits of ducal power when confronted by a strong emperor.
• While his title was preserved, his imprisonment effectively ended his political influence, marking a turning point in Conrad II’s consolidation of power.

Ernest II’s ambition and defiance made him a significant figure in the feudal struggles of the 11th century, yet his ultimate defeat and imprisonment underscored the growing dominance of the Salian emperors over the German duchies.

Conrad's son Henry had been crowned king in 1028.

Around this time, due to Henry's and Gisela's requests, Ernest had been set free, although he was not restored to his full powers as duke.

Ernest is offered these powers at the Diet of Easter 1030, if he will crack down on the enemies of Conrad.

Ernest's refusal to do so, especially against his friend Werner von Kyburg, results in his final downfall.

He is stripped of his title as duke.

Only a few months later, while battling the people of the Bishop of Constance, both Ernest and Werner are killed.

Ernest is buried in Constance.

The Duchy of Swabia passes to his younger brother Herman, who at this time is still a minor.

The revived German Empire annexes the kingdom of Burgundy, France’s junior partner, upon the death of Burgundy’s King Rudolph III in 1032.

Umberto, or Humbert, is the son of Amadeus (who was perhaps count of Maurienne).

His brother is Bishop Otto of Belley.

Umberto is the progenitor of the dynasty known as the House of Savoy.

The origins of this dynasty are unknown, but Humbert's ancestors are variously said to have come from Saxony, Burgundy or Provence.

Given Humbert's close connections with Rudolf III of Burgundy, it is likely that his family is Burgundian, and is descended either from the dukes of Vienne, or from or a Burgundian aristocratic family (such as the Guigonids, ancestors of the counts of Albon).

Umberto initially held lands around Belley and in the county of Sermorens, before gaining lands in Aosta and Valais.

He is also called Umberto the White-Handed, reportedly to signify his generosity.

However, this posthumously applied title may derive from a misreading of a late medieval record (in Latin) which actually refers to the walls of his castle (blancis moenibus), not his hands (blancis manibus), as white.

After Rudolf III’s death in 1032, Umberto I swears fealty to Emperor Conrad II.

He supports the emperor in his campaigns against Odo II, Count of Blois and Archbishop Aribert of Milan.

In return, Conrad appoints Umberto count of Savoy and grants him Maurienne, Chablais and perhaps Tarentaise.