Gisela of Swabia

  General Notes:

She first married Bruno I, Count of Brunswick, in 1002. Her second marriage was to Ernest I, Duke of Swabia, who inherited Swabia through her at the death of Gisela's brother, Herman III. After his death in 1015, she became regent for their son Ernest II. She was then removed from the regency on grounds of her being too closely related to her late husband.

Her third marriage, in 1016 or 1017, was to Conrad, who became Emperor in 1027. Aribo, Archbishop of Mainz refused to crown her, because he stated Gisela and Conrad were too closely related. Thirteen days after his coronation, Pilgrim, Archbishop of Cologne crowned her Empress of Germany instead.

She played an active part in politics, attending imperial councils and having her relative Rudolph III of Burgundy transfer the succession of his realm to her husband. Also, she participated in several synods of the church.

She took care of her sister Matilda's daughters Sophie, Countess of Bar and Beatrice of Bar, who would both go on to play political roles as Countess of Bar and regent of Tuscany respectively.

  Death Notes:

Gisela died of dysentery in the royal palace in Goslar in 1043. She is interred in the grotto of the Imperial Cathedral of Speyer, Germany along with several emperors and other members of the imperial family. Her tomb was opened in 1900 and Gisela's mummified body was found to be 172 cm (5' 8") tall, with long blond hair.

Gisela married Count Brun of Brunswick I in 1002. (Count Brun of Brunswick I was born circa 975 and died circa 1010.)

Gisela next married Duke Ernest of Swabia I. (Duke Ernest of Swabia I died in 1015.)

Gisela next married Conrad of Germany II, Holy Roman Emperor, son of Heinrich von Speyer and Adelaide of Alsace, circa 1016. (Conrad of Germany II, Holy Roman Emperor was born circa 990 and died on 4 Jun 1039.)