Herman V, Margrave of Baden-Baden

Herman V, Margrave of Baden
Seal (sigillum) of Herman V.
Born1180
Died(1243-01-17)17 January 1243
Noble familyHouse of Zähringen
Spouse(s)Countess Palatine Irmengard of the Rhine
IssueHerman VI, Margrave of Baden
Rudolf I, Margrave of Baden-Baden
Mechtild
Elisabeth
FatherHerman IV, Margrave of Baden
MotherBertha of Tübingen

Herman V, Margrave of Baden (c. 1180 – 17 January 1243) ruled Verona and Baden from 1190 until his death.

He was the son of Herman IV and his wife Bertha of Tübingen. He married in 1217 to Irmengard, Countess Palatine by the Rhine (born 1200, died February 25, 1260); their marriage lasted until Herman V's death.

In the German throne dispute of 1198, Hermann was on the side of King Philip, and from 1208–1211 on the side of Emperor Otto IV. He was a devout follower of Emperor Frederick II. Hermann also founded the cities of Backnang, Pforzheim, and Stuttgart. In 1219 Pforzheim became the seat of power for the Margravate of Baden.

In 1218 he abandoned claims to titles in Zähringen, and in 1227 gave up claims in Braunschweig as well. Herman was then made Count of Ortenau and Breisgau. In the entourage of Emperor Frederick II, he traveled through much of Germany and Italy, and in 1221 went into captivity in Egypt. He took part in the Fifth Crusade and the Sixth Crusade in 1228 with Frederick II and his brother. The Margrave counselled Henry VII until he was thrown out. Hermann also took part in the defensive struggle against the Mongols at Liegnitz.

He founded or supported several important monasteries: Maulbronn Abbey, Tennenbach Abbey, Herrenalb Abbey, Selz Abbey, Salem Abbey and Backnang Abbey. His wife Irmengard founded Lichtenthal Abbey in Baden-Baden in 1245, which later became the burial place of the margraves.

Hermann was buried in Backnang, until his widow reinterred his remains at Lichtenthal in 1248.