Herman III

Hermann III of Baden (c. 1105 – 16 January 1160), nicknamed the Great, was Margrave of Verona and Baden.

Life He was the son of Hermann II of Baden and his wife Judith of Backnang-Sulichgau. He was ruler of the margraviate of Baden from 1130 until 1160.

Faithfully devoted to the Staufens, Hermann III came in conflict with his relatives from Zähringen-Swabia. In 1140 he participated in the siege of Weibtreu castle, and received the bailiwick of Selz in Alsace.

In 1151 the margraviate of Verona was taken from Ottokar III of Styria and conferred on Hermann III. A deed of donation exists from 1153, that states Frederick I bought Castle Besigheim from Hermann III.

Hermann III fought in the first Italian campaign of Emperor Frederick I, and he gained the title Margrave of Verona. He also took part in the Second Crusade. Hermann III was buried at Backnang Abbey, an Augustinian monastery in Backnang.

Marriage and children He was married in 1134 to Bertha von Lothringen (d. after 1162), who was the daughter of Simon I, Duke of Lorraine, and his wife Adelaide of Leuven. They had the following children: Hermann IV Gertrud

Secondly, he married Maria of Bohemia after 1141. She was the daughter of Duke Sobeslav I of Bohemia.