Henry of Laach

Tomb of Henry of Laach at Maria Laach Abbey

Henry of Laach (In German: Heinrich von Laach) was the first count palatine of the Rhine (1085/1087–1095). Henry was the son of Herman I, count of Gleiberg. Henry was a follower of Henry IV, Holy Roman Emperor. He had lands in the southeastern Eifel and on the Moselle River.

Promotion to count palatine

Most of the holdings of Hermann II, Count Palatine fell back to the emperor, when Hermann died without successor. The emperor named Henry count palatine of the Rhine. Henry married Herman's widow, Adelheid von Orlamünde-Weimar (d.1100). From this marriage, Henry may have taken control over some of her holdings along the Moselle. As a consequence, the geographic center of the palatinate moved towards the south.

Henry founded the Maria Laach Abbey. He was succeeded by his stepson, Siegfried of Ballenstedt.

Preceded by Hermann II as count palatine of Lotharingia

Count Palatine of the Rhine new creation 1085/1087–1095

Succeeded by Siegfried of Ballenstedt

References

• Kohnle, Armin (2005). "Mittelalterliche Grundlagen; Pfalzgraftenamt, Territorialentwicklung und Kurwürde" (in German). Kleine Geschichte der Kurpfalz. Regionalgeschichte-fundiert und kompakt (First Edition ed.). Karlsruhe: G. Braun Buchverlag. pp. 18–19. ISBN 3-7650-8329-1.