Conrad II, Holy Roman Emperor

Conrad II (c. 990–1039), called the Elder, founded the Salian dynasty. A Franconian count, he was elected King of the Romans in 1024 after the last Ottonian, Henry II, died heirless. He crossed the Alps in 1026, took the Iron Crown at Milan, and was crowned emperor in Rome by Pope John XIX in March 1027.

After Rudolf III died in 1032, he claimed Burgundy, subsequently conquering it and joining it to the empire; his 1037 edict on Italian fiefs protected lesser vassals. He died at Utrecht on 4 June 1039 and was buried at Speyer, leaving it to his son Henry III.