2020-06-10 Wed

Fredrick I: also known as Fredrick Barbarossa was duke of Swabia, German King, and Holy Roman Emperor from 1152 until his death in 1190. Historians consider him among the Holy Roman Empire's greatest medieval emperors. Frederick died in 1190 in Asia Minor while leading an army in the Third Crusade.

Amongst other things, Barbarossa is remembered for his challenges to papal authority in his empire, his administrative and organizational skills, his military campaigns in Europe, and his participation in the Crusades.

Working in conjunction with Richard I of England and Philip II of France, Barbarossa formed an immense army with the goal of retaking Jerusalem from the Muslim forces of Saladin. While the English and French kings traveled by sea to the Holy Land with their forces, Barbarossa's army was too large and was forced to march overland. Moving through Hungary, Serbia, and the Byzantine Empire, they crossed the Bosporus into Anatolia. After fighting two battles, they arrived at the Saleph River in southeast Anatolia.

While stories vary, it is known that Barbarossa died on June 10, 1190, while jumping into or crossing the river. Over the centuries following his death, Barbarossa became a symbol for German unity. The above shown Penny or denier portrays the image of Emperor Frederick I Barbarossa on its obverse face. This coin was issued from Nijmegen.

Image Source: Wikipedia.org