Weis" "Ancestral Roots. . ." (39:23), (119:24), (136:21), (137:21). He was Count of Blois & Champagne. Rudolph III, the king of Burgundy had died in 1032. He was childless and Eudes (Odo), as his nephew, was to have been heir to the throne of Burgundy. the German EMPEROR CONRAD II, who had long been trying to bring Burgundy under his authority, had married one of Rudolph's nieces. Rudolph designated CONRAD as his successor. Eudes contested the succession and was able to gather much support. As CONRAD was occupied fighting the Poles, Eudes was able to occupy western Switzerland . The Archbishop of Lyons, GEROLD, COUNT OF GENEVA, and many others recognized Eudes as king. CONRAD, however, was able to win HUMBERT I, COUNT OF MAURIENNE, who was the founder of the house of Savoy, to his side. This gave CONRAD the upper hand, but he was unable to achieve final victory until Eudes perished in battle at Bar. CONRAD made his son, the future EMPEROR, HENRY III, king of Burgundy. From this time
forward the king of Burgundy was under the authority of the German Emperors.