Lothair III
Lothair III, Duke of Saxony, was elected King of Germany in 1125 by the German princes specifically to prevent the Hohenstaufen claimant from inheriting the throne. His election initiated the bitter rivalry between the Welf and Hohenstaufen factions that would dominate German politics for a century. In Italy, Lothair cooperated closely with Pope Innocent II during the papal schism of 1130 and was rewarded with imperial coronation in Rome in 1133. Lothair died on his return from Italy in 1137.
- Lived: 1075 CE – 1137 CE
- Nationality: german
- Roles: emperor, head_of_state, military_leader
