Henry VI

MedievalEmperorHoly Roman Empire1165 — 1197

Conquered Sicily and planned a world empire.

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Quick Facts

Born

1165

Died

1197

Country

Holy Roman Empire

Era

Medieval

Occupation

Emperor

Score Overview

Military (10%)45

Political (20%)48

Influence (20%)54

Legacy (20%)44

Leadership (15%)66

Strategy (15%)60

Total Score52.1

Henry VI — Complete Timeline

1190 AD

Election as King of GermanyPolitical Action◆ Major

Henry VI was elected King of Germany in 1190 following the death of his father Frederick Barbarossa. He succeeded without opposition, inheriting a powerful Hohenstaufen realm.

SuccessionHohenstaufen Dynasty

Impact: regional

1191 AD

Coronation as Holy Roman EmperorPolitical Action◆ Major

Pope Celestine III crowned Henry VI Holy Roman Emperor in Rome on April 15, 1191. The coronation was delayed due to tensions with the Papacy over Henry's claims in Sicily.

CoronationImperial Authority

Impact: regionalconstructive

1192 AD

Capture of Richard the LionheartPolitical Action◆ Major

Henry VI captured King Richard I of England in December 1192 near Vienna and held him for ransom. Richard was released in 1194 after payment of a huge ransom, which Henry used to fund his Sicilian campaign.

RansomRichard IDiplomacy

Impact: regional

1194 AD

Conquest of SicilyWar

Henry VI conquered the Kingdom of Sicily in 1194 after the death of King Tancred. He was crowned King of Sicily in Palermo on December 25, 1194, uniting the island with the Empire and creating a vast Mediterranean domain.

ConquestSicilyTerritorial Expansion

Impact: regional

1195 AD

Plan for a World EmpirePolitical Action

Henry VI proposed a plan to make the Empire hereditary and to launch a crusade to conquer the Byzantine Empire. The plan failed due to opposition from German princes and Henry's sudden death in 1197.

Imperial AmbitionCrusade

Impact: regional