Archbishop Aribo crowns Conrad King of Germany in Mainz Cathedral on September 8, 1024.

Conrad II thus becomes the first member of the Salian, or Franconian, dynasty of German kings.

Archbishop Aribo, as Archbishop of Mainz, is already the chancellor of Germany but, in gratitude for his electoral support, is appointed by Conrad as chancellor of Italy as well, making Aribo the second most powerful man in the Holy Roman Empire as the Imperial Chancellor.

Aribo refuses to crown Conrad's wife Gisela as queen due to their close blood relation being a violation of canon law, but Conrad refuses to accept this.

Gislela had first married Bruno I, Count of Brunswick, in 1002.

Her second marriage was to Ernest I, Duke of Swabia, who had inherited Swabia through her at the death of Gisela's brother, Herman III.

After his death in 1015, she had become regent for their son Ernest II.

She had then then been removed from the regency on grounds of her being too closely related to her late husband.

Her third marriage, in 1016 or 1017, had been to Conrad.

Archbishop Pilgrim of Cologne sees the situation as an opportunity to restore his relationship with the king after refusing to support his election and crowns Gisela as Empress of Germany on September 21, 1024.

Pilgrim’s political reorientation also weakens the opposition towards the new king.

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.