The New International Encyclopædia/Conrad II.

​CONRAD II. (c.990–1039). King of the Germans and Roman Emperor from 1024 to 1039, known as the Salic. He was the son of Henry, Duke of Franconia, and was elected King of the Germans in 1024, after the extinction of the Saxon imperial line, becoming the founder of the Franconian dynasty. Immediately after his election he commenced a tour through Germany for the purpose of administering justice. To ameliorate the condition of his subjects, he instituted the Truce of God (q.v.). In 1026 he crossed the Alps, chastised the rebellious Italians, was crowned at Milan as King of Italy, and in the following year was anointed Emperor of the Romans by the Pope. He was soon recalled to Germany by the outbreak of formidable revolts, which he succeeded in suppressing. In 1032 he annexed the Arletan territories to the Empire. In 1036 a rebellion in Italy again compelled him to cross the Alps; but his efforts to restore his authority were this time unsuccessful, and he was forced to grant various privileges to his Italian subjects. Shortly after his return he died, at Utrecht, June 3, 1039. Conrad was one of the most remarkable of the earlier monarchs of Germany. He repressed the power of the great feudal nobles, and, by keeping the great duchies in his own family, strengthened the position of the Crown. Consult Bresslau, Jahrbücher des deutschen Reiches unter Konrad II. (Leipzig, 1879–84).