What is Ottonian dynasty?
{{distinguish|Ottoman dynasty}} '''Ottonian dynasty''' was a [[dynasty]] of kings of [[Germany]], named after its first emperor [[Otto I the Great]]. But it is also known as the '''Saxon dynasty''' after the origin of this family of noblemen. The family itself is also sometimes known as the '''Liudolfings''', after its earliest known member ''Liudolf'' and one of its most common names. The Ottonian rulers are also regarded as the first dynasty of the [[Holy Roman Empire]], as successors of the [[Carolingian dynasty]] and [[Charlemagne]], who is commonly viewed as the original founder of a new (Frankish) [[Roman Empire]]. Although he was never Emperor, [[Henry I the Fowler]], Duke of [[Duchess of Saxony|Saxony]], was the founder of this imperial dynasty, since his election as German king made it possible for his son, [[Otto I the Great|Otto the Great]] to take on the imperium. Since Otto I most of the German kings were also crowned [[Holy Roman Emperor]]. Under the reign of the Ottonian rulers, the kingdom of the Eastern [[Franks]] finally became [[Germany]] as the duchies of [[Lorraine]], [[Saxony]], [[Franconia]], [[Swabia]], [[Thuringia]] and [[Bavaria]] joined in one empire. After the end of the Ottonian dynasty (with the death of [[Henry II, Holy Roman Emperor|Henry II]] in 1024) the crown passed to the [[Salian dynasty]]. Luitgard, a daughter of Emperor [[Otto I, Holy Roman Emperor|Otto I]] had married the Salian Duke [[Conrad the Red]] of Lorraine. His great-grandson was [[Conrad II, Holy Roman Emperor]]. '''Ottonian Kings and Emperors:''' * [[Henry I the Fowler]], King of the Germans and Duke of Saxony, died 936 * [[Otto I the Great]], Holy Roman Emperor and Duke of Saxony, died 973 * [[Otto II, Holy Roman Emperor]], died 983 * [[Otto III, Holy Roman Emperor]], died 1002 * Saint [[Henry II, Holy Roman Emperor]], died 1024 Some other famous members of the Liudolfing or Ottonian House: * [[Liudolf]], Count of Saxony, died 864/866 * Saint [[Altfrid, Bishop of Hildesheim]], died 874 * [[Brun, Duke of Sax