# Fall of Henry the Lion (1180)

URL: https://germany-history.com/timeline/1180-fall-of-henry-the-lion
Location: Gelnhausen
Categories: main-event

In 1180 Frederick Barbarossa stripped Henry the Lion of his duchies of Saxony and Bavaria. Bavaria was given to Otto of Wittelsbach, whose family ruled it until 1918. Saxony was broken up among several princes.

## Why it matters
It began the Wittelsbach era in Bavaria and fragmented northern Germany.

Ruler at the time: [Frederick I Barbarossa](https://germany-history.com/rulers/frederick-i-barbarossa)

## Sources
- [Wikipedia – Henry the Lion](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_the_Lion)
- [Wikipedia – Gelnhausen Charter](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gelnhausen_Charter)
- [Encyclopaedia Britannica – Henry the Lion](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Henry-III-duke-of-Bavaria-and-Saxony)