On June 10, 1190, during the Third Crusade, Holy Roman Emperor Frederick I Barbarossa (r. 1155-1190) drowned in the river Saleph while leading an army to Jerusalem.
Digging Deeper
Frederick I Barbarossa (known as “red beard”) is generally considered one of Medieval Europe’s greatest emperors. He had a long reign as not only Holy Roman Emperor but also as King of Italy, King of Germany (which at the time also meant King of the Romans), and King of Burgundy, ruling some of these realms from 1152 until his death in 1190, or nearly forty years!
A golden bust of Frederick I, given to his godfather Count Otto of Cappenberg in 1171. It was used as a reliquary in Cappenberg Abbey and is said in the deed of the gift to have been made “in the likeness of the emperor”.
He accomplished much while emperor of a large portion of central Europe, including conducting six military campaigns in Italy. Although a charismatic leader, he did not always prevail in his many ventures. In 1176 at the Battle of Legnano, he suffered his most infamous defeat at the hands of the Lombard League in Italy.
