Sophia of Zahringen (fl. 12th c.)

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Sophia of Zahringen (fl. 12th c.)

Saxon noblewoman. Flourished in the 12th century in Saxony; daughter of Henry the Black (d. 1126), duke of Saxony and Bavaria, and possibly Wolfida of Saxony (c. 1075–1126); sister of Judith of Bavaria , Welf also known as Guelph VI (d. 1191), and Henry the Proud (d. 1139), duke of Bavaria; married Bertold of Zahringen.

A Saxon noble, Sophia of Zahringen married Bertold of Zahringen as a young woman, bringing a large dowry with her. Sophia came from a powerful German ruling family which held the duchies of Saxony and Bavaria. Her brother Henry the Proud, duke of Bavaria, was one of the most significant men in west European politics in the 12th century. Always a loyal supporter of her brother's royal claims, Sophia aided him in military and financial ways after Bertold died. Henry welcomed her assistance in his struggles against rival nobles, even putting her in command of at least one of his sieges.

Laura York , M.A. in History, University of California, Riverside, California

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