EZZO or EHRENFRIED (c. count palatine in Lorraine, was the son of a certain Hermann (d. c. i000), also a count palatine in Lorraine who had possessions in the neighbour hood of Bonn. Having married Matilda (d. Io25), a daughter of the emperor Otto II., Ezzo came to the front during the reign of his brother-in-law, the emperor Otto III. (983-1002) ; his power was increased owing to the liberal grant of lands in Thuringia and Franconia which he received with his wife, and some time later his position as count palatine was recognized as an hereditary dignity. Otto's successor, the emperor Henry II., was less friendly towards the powerful count palatine, though there was no serious trouble between them until ioi I ; but some disturbances in Lor raine quickly compelled the emperor to come to terms, and the assistance of Ezzo was purchased by a gift of lands. Henceforward the relations between Henry and his vassal appear to have been satisfactory. Ezzo died at Saalfeld on March 21, He left three sons, among them being Hermann, archbishop of Cologne from 1036 to 1(356, and Otto, who was for a short time duke of Suabia; and seven daughters, six of whom became abbesses.