Duke Henry the Proud was a prominent nobleman in the early 12th century, known for his role as the Duke of Bavaria and the Margrave of Austria. He was a member of the Welf dynasty and was born around 1100. Henry was notable for his ambitions to expand his power and influence within the Holy Roman Empire, often clashing with other powerful families. His reign was marked by conflicts with the Hohenstaufen dynasty, particularly with Emperor Frederick I, which ultimately led to his downfall. Henry's aspirations for greater authority were thwarted, and he was eventually stripped of his titles, leaving a legacy of political intrigue and rivalry in medieval Europe.