Editing Richeza of Lotharingia (section)

== Family and betrothal ==

She was the eldest daughter of Count Palatine [[Ezzo, Count Palatine of Lotharingia|Ezzo]] of [[Lotharingia]] by his wife, [[Matilda of Germany, Countess Palatine of Lotharingia|Matilda]], daughter of [[Emperor Otto II]] and [[Empress Theophanu]].{{sfn|Bernhardt|2002|p=310}} Richeza's parents were married in 993. Polish historian Kazimierz Jasiński supposed that she was few years younger than her husband Mieszko II Lambert.<ref name=Jasinski115>{{cite book |last=Jasiński |first=Kazimierz |date=1992 |title=Rodowód pierwszych Piastów |language=pl |location=Warszawa - Wrocław |pages=115}}</ref>

In 1000 during the [[Congress of Gniezno]], an agreement was apparently made between [[Bolesław the Brave]] and Richeza's uncle [[Emperor Otto III]]. Among the usual political talks, they decided to strengthen ties through marriage. Otto's childlessness meant that the seven daughters of his sister Mathilde (the only of Otto II's daughters who married and produced children) were the potential brides for [[Mieszko II Lambert|Mieszko]], Bolesław I's son and heir; the oldest of Otto III's nieces, Richeza, was chosen. However, Otto's unexpected death in 1002, the reorientation of the [[Holy Roman Empire]] politics by his successor, [[Henry II, Holy Roman Emperor|Henry II]], and wars between Henry and Bolesław led to the delay of the wedding. The Emperor took the opportunity of a settlement with the Ezzonen family and in [[Merseburg]] negotiated a temporary peace with Poland. The marriage between Mieszko and Richeza took place{{sfn|Bernhardt|2002|p=310}}<ref name=kolner>{{cite web| url = https://www.koelner-dom.de/rundgang/grabmaeler/wall-tomb-and-shrine-to-the-blessed-richeza/story/?L=1| title = "Wall tomb and shrine to the Blessed Richeza of Lotharingia", Kölner Dom}}</ref> in Merseburg, probably during the [[Pentecost]] festivities.