Theodoric I of Wettin


Theodoric I was a nobleman in the Duchy of Saxony. He is the earliest known patrilineal ancestor of Elizabeth II.

Biography

Almost nothing is known about Theodoric's life. He is mentioned as Dedo's father by bishop Thietmar of Merseburg. Dedo is the first known count of Wettin, and Dedo's son, Theodoric II, Margrave of Lower Lusatia, is the first member of the Wettin dynasty, taken as established by his father. Wettin Castle itself had probably been in existence since the 9th century, but it is unknown whether Theodoric had already held the castle. From the rank of count held by Dedo, a rank of count is often assumed for Theodoric in German historiography, but authors vary in naming Theodoric a count of Wettin, or of Hassegau, or of Liesgau.

Issue

Theodoric had two sons:
Thietmar names Theodoric as a member of the tribe of the Buzici and as a relative on his father's side of Rikdag, Margrave of Meissen. Several possible fathers have been identified for him, but there is no conclusive evidence for any of them:
Depending on who is assumed to be Theodoric's father, it is reasonable to assume a date of birth for Theodoric in the 910s, 920s or 930s. The year of his death has been proposed as 975/6, because it is known that his son Dedo in this year took his own mother hostage in the context of a feud . Theodoric's wife is named as one Jutta or Judith of Merseburg in early modern historiography.