Berthold I of Istria

Berthold III, Count of Andechs (c. 1110/1122^[1][2] – December 14, 1188) was the Margrave of Istria as Berthold I from 1173 until 1188. He was the son of Berthold II, Count of Andechs, Dießen, Plassenberg and Stein (died 1151) and his first wife Sophie of Istria.

In 1173, he became the Margrave of Istria,^[3] succeeding Engelbert III, who had been the last Margrave from the House of Sponheim.

Marriage and issue

Berthold III was married twice. In 1152 he married Hedwig of Wittelsbach, daughter of Otto IV, Count of Wittelsbach, Count Palatine of Bavaria and Heilika of Pettendorf-Lengenfeld-Hopfenohe.^[1] They had four children:

1. Berthold IV, Duke of Merania (1153–1204).
2. Sophia (died 1218). Married Poppo VI, Count of Henneberg (died c. 1190).
3. Kunigunde (died after 1207). Possibly married Eberhard, Count of Eberstein.
4. Matilda, Countess of Pisino (died 1245). Married Berthold, Margrave of Vohburg. In c. 1190 married secondly Engelbert III, Count of Gorizia (died 1217/20).

His second wife became in c. 1180 princess Luitgard of Denmark, daughter of king Sweyn III of Denmark and Adela of Meissen. They had two children:

1. Poppo, Bishop of Bamberg (died December 2, 1245).
2. Berta, Abbess in Gerbstadt (died 1190).

References