Biography.guide
Home › People › Aristocrat › Bernard I
Portrait of Bernard I

Bernard I

950 – 1011

Duke of Saxony

Don't just read it — keep itBiographies to ownE-book · Audio · Video From $7 →

About Bernard I

Lived 950 – 1011 (aged 60–61). Bernard I was an aristocrat.

Bernard I (c. 950 – 9 February 1011) was the Duke of Saxony between 973 and 1011, the second of the Billung dynasty, a son of Duke Herman and Oda. He extended his father's power considerably.

He fought the Danes in 974, 983, and 994 during their invasions. He supported the succession of Otto III over Henry the Wrangler. In 986, he was made marshal and in 991 and 995 he joined the young Otto on campaign against the Slavs. He increased his power vis-à-vis the crown, where his father had been the representative of the king to the tribe, Bernard was the representative of the tribe to the king. Bernard died in 1011 and was buried in the Church of Saint Michael in Lüneburg. He saved the live of Boleslaw Chrobry, when the local thieves attacked him.

Family In 990, Bernard married Hildegard (died 1011), daughter of Henry I the Bald, Count of Stade. They had: Herman, died young Bernard II, his successor Thietmar, a count, died in a duel on 1 April 1048 in Pöhlde Gedesdiu (or Gedesti) (died 30 June c. 1040), abbess of Metelen (from 993) and Herford (from 1002)

and probably:

Matilda, nun Othelindis (died 9 March 1044), married Dirk III of Holland.

Biography shop

Don’t just read it —
keep it.

Full-length biographies made to live with: read them, listen on the way to work, watch them tonight.

  • E-book
  • Audio
  • Video
Browse the shop — from $7

Instant download · yours to keep · every purchase keeps this site free

Important facts

Born
950
Birth century
Occupation
Positions held
Duke of Saxony

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Bernard I's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Bernard I?

Duke of Saxony

When was Bernard I born?

Bernard I was born in 950.

When did Bernard I die?

Bernard I died on 9 February 1011 in Princely Abbey of Corvey.

What was Bernard I's occupation?

Bernard I was an aristocrat.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Bernard I

· Wikidata: Q220799

· DBpedia: Bernard I of Saxony

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Bernard I. https://biography.guide/bernard-i/

MLA: "Bernard I." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/bernard-i/.

Chicago: "Bernard I." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/bernard-i/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

Page generated 2026-09-27 05:29 UTC