Philip von Schwaben

Philip von Schwaben was the Duke of Swabia and the King of Germany in the early 13th century. He was the youngest son of Holy Roman Emperor Frederick Barbarossa and Empress Beatrice of Burgundy as well as their last surviving child. He was assassinated by a crazed noble for denying the hand of his daughter Beatrix, then only eight, in marriage.

Personality
Philip was described by contemporary writers as a brave and handsome man. He was known as a mild and generous ruler. Philip was an invaluable pillar of support to his wife Irene, who was painfully shy. His refusal to marry off his daughter at a young age suggests he was also a caring father. As the appointed guardian of his young nephew, Frederick, he tried to protect the boy's interests after the death of his father (Philip's brother) Henry VI. He was also incredibly close to Henry.

Appearance
Philip was renowned as an incredibly handsome man. He had short dark brown hair and red eyes that he inherited from his mother. As he grew older he let his hair grow out to around shoulder length.

History
From childhood Philip was groomed for an ecclesiastical career. He was made a senior church official in Aachen at the age of twelve in 1189, but the death of his father that same year derailed his plans.

In 1191, a then fourteen-year-old Philip accompanied his brother Henry to the Kingdom of Italy where he forsook his ecclesiastical career in 1195 after he was appointed Margrave of Tuscany. He was later made Duke of Tuscany and received the Duchy of Swabia after his brother Conrad died. Two years later, in 1197, Henry betrothed Philip to Princess Irene Angelina to improve relations between the Byzantine Empire and the Holy Roman Empire. Before the end of the year Philip married Irene and their first daughter, Beatrix was born the next year.

Irene Angelina
Philip and Irene were only four years apart and bonded instantly. They fell in love quickly as Philip was patient with the beautiful but reserved Irene. Irene became dependent on Philip