OTHO OF NORDHEIM, ( ?-1083).
A well-known German noble, who played an active rule in the struggles of the reign of Henry ( )tho was descended from an old Saxon family, whose seat was near G5ttingen. In 1061 Agnes of Poitiers, who was Regent during the minority of her son, llenry IV., gave the vacant Hnchy of Ilavaria to Otho. in order to gain his aid against the powerful interests arrayed against her. But the Empress Was an incapable woman, and in consequence Otho of Nordhehn no it ed with the powerful prelates to bring about her downfall. The conspirators obtained possession in 10G•? of the young ruler's person and deposed the Empress from the regency. IV. never forgave this deed. When the young King as sumed the government in person. Gtho was one of the most powerful of the great nobles, and his downfall appeared necessary in order to permit the full development of the Imperial power. In 1070 Otho was suddenly charged with planning a new conspiracy in order to make himself King.
Probably the accusation was false, but Otho was found guilty, deprived of his duchy, and was compelled to submit to Henry. He never gave up. however, the attempts to recover his lost territories, and hence was involved in and led the numerous uprisings of the Saxons against henry IV. In 1077 Otho helped to elect Rudolph of Swabia as aerman King in opposition to Henn•, and when Rudolph fell in battle, in 1050, he supported Hermann of Luxemburg. though he had hoped to obtain the election himself. Otho is important because he is typical of the entire class of great German nobles, who were ever ready to oppose any attempt on the part of the emperors to strengthen their government. Con sult: Vogeler, Otto von Nordhebn ((linden, 1850) Oiesebreeht. Gesehichte der dentsehen Kaiser:cif, vol. iii. (5th ed., Leipzig. 1590).