When was Otto of Freising born and who were his parents?
Otto of Freising was born in Klosterneuburg as the fifth son of Leopold III, margrave of Austria. His mother Agnes of Waiblingen was the daughter of Emperor Henry IV.
Questions about Otto of Freising
Short answers, pulled from the story.
What years did Otto of Freising serve as bishop of Freising?
Otto of Freising served as Bishop of Freising from 1138 to 1158. He retained the habit of a Cistercian monk throughout his episcopate until death.
Which historical work by Otto of Freising contains the first documented reference to Prester John?
The Chronica sive Historia de duabus civitatibus marks the first documented reference to the Nestorian Christian king in the East through Otto's meeting with Bishop Hugh of Jabala. This eight-book treatise covers events up to the year 1146 before continuing through 1209 by Saint Blasius of Blaubeuren Abbey.
Who wrote the second half of Gesta Friderici imperatoris after Otto of Freising died or stopped writing?
Ragewin took over writing from 1156 onward while Otto maintained command of exceptional Latin. The remaining two books or parts thereof are attributed to Ragewin, who was Otto's pupil.
When did Otto of Freising participate in the Second Crusade and what happened to his army section?
In 1147 Otto took part in the disastrous Second Crusade where the section of the crusading army led by the bishop was decimated during the journey. He reached Jerusalem and returned to Bavaria in 1148 or 1149.