(876?–936), called “the Fowler,” was duke of Saxony, and king of Germany from 919 until his death. He was the first German ruler who was not a Frank; with him the Saxon dynasty of German kings was established. Henry was designated king by his predecessor, Conrad I.

Henry had little authority over the other dukes, but he strengthened and enlarged his Saxon domain. His son Otto I (the Great) was chosen his successor.

(973–1024), called “the Saint,” was duke of Bavaria, and king of Germany and Holy Roman emperor from 1002. He was the last ruler of the Saxon dynasty. Upon the death of Otto III, Henry, a great-grandson of Henry I, contrived to have himself chosen king. Internal dissension and conflict with the Poles marked his reign.

Henry II made numerous visits to Italy and was crowned emperor in Rome in 1014. Devoutly religious, he tried to reform church administration. Conrad II was elected to succeed him.

(1017–1056), called “the Black,” was king of Germany from 1028 and Holy Roman emperor from 1039. He was the son of Conrad II, founder of the Franconian (or Salian) dynasty. Conrad had Henry elected German king and appointed him ruler of Bavaria (102 7) and of Burgundy and Swabia (1038). In 1039, Henry III inherited Franconia and the imperial title.

Henry III put down an uprising in Bohemia (1041) and conquered Hungary (1043–45). He took an army into Italy, deposed three rivals for the papacy, had a German bishop elected pope (Pope Clement II), and was crowned emperor in 1046. Henry was succeeded by his son, Henry, whom he had already elected German king.

(1050–1106), king of Germany from 1054 and Holy Roman emperor from 1056, succeeded his father, Henry III. Under the weak rule of his mother as regent, the empire broke into warring factions. When Henry IV took over the government in 1065, he set about controlling the rebellious princes.

In 1075 conflict developed between Henry IV and Pope Gregory VII over the issue of lay investiture, the ceremonial installation by monarchs of bishops and other church officials. The pope put an end to the long practice, and Henry retaliated by declaring the pope deposed. Gregory excommunicated Henry. In 1077 the emperor met the pope at Canossa in northern Italy and was absolved and reinstated into the church. Henry returned to Germany to find another rebellion, which he quickly put down. Henry reopened the conflict with the pope and was excommunicated in 1080. He seized and plundered Rome in 1083 and installed a new pope (the antipope Clement III).

One of the emperor's sons, also named Henry, revolted against his father in 1104. The emperor died shortly after defeating his son in battle.

(1081–1125), king of Germany from 1099 and Holy Roman emperor from 1106. He succeeded his father, Henry IV, and was the last ruler of the Franconian line. Henry V put down the German revolts and led expeditions against the Hungarians and the Poles.

Henry's main conflict was with the papacy over lay investiture. The emperor took an army to Rome and forced Pope Paschal II to crown him in 1111. Later Henry drove Paschal from Rome and in 1118 had an antipope elected. Under Pope Calixtus II in 1122 the Concordat of Worms, a compromise agreement, was signed, ending lay investiture but allowing Henry to have a role in selecting church officials in Germany.

In the meantime Henry V had quelled uprisings in Saxony. In his final years he fought against Holland and France. Lothair, duke of Saxony, was chosen to succeed the childless emperor.

(1165–1197), king of Germany from 1169, king of Italy from 1186, Holy Roman emperor from 1190, and king of the Two Sicilies from 1194. He was the son of Frederick (I) Barbarossa, who had him crowned in Germany and Italy and in 1186 had him married to Constance, heiress to the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies.

In 1190 both the emperor and the king of the Two Sicilies died. Henry had to fight rivals in both parts of his empire. In 1194 he subdued the German rebellion and brought northern Italy and the Two Sicilies under complete control. Henry VI hoped to make himself master of Europe. His plans were ended by his premature death. His infant son, Frederick II, had been named his heir, but the succession was contested, and years of civil war followed.

(1269?–1313), count of Luxembourg, king of Germany and Holy Roman emperor from 1308. He was chosen to succeed Hapsburg Emperor Albert I, duke of Austria. Henry VII attempted to reestablish imperial power in Italy. He died during an expedition against Naples. His successor, after a disputed election and civil war in Germany, was Louis IV, duke of Bavaria.