eberhard was the second son of conrad the elder and his wife glismut (d. 924), probably an illegitimate daughter of the carolingian emperor arnulf of carinthia. the conradines, counts in the franconian lahngau region, had been loyal supporters of the carolingians. at the same time, they competed vigorously for predominance in franconia with the sons of the babenbergian duke henry of franconia at bamberg castle. in 906 the two parties battled each other near fritzlar. conrad the elder was killed, as were two of the three babenberg brothers. the babenberg feud ended, when king louis the child took the conradines' side and conrad the younger became the undisputed duke of all franconia.