Ottonian dynasty was the first ruling dynasty of the
Holy Roman Empire, also known as the Saxon dynasty. Although never Emperor,
Henry I the Fowler, Duke of Saxony, was arguably the founder of the dynasty, since his election as German king made it possible for his son,
Otto the Great to take on the imperium. The family itself is also sometimes known as the Liudolfings, after one of its early members and primary leading-names.