Albert I (Albrecht) of Brandenburg, called The Bear

ALBERTO I (ALBRECHT) di BRANDEBURGO, called L'ORSO. – Count of Ballstedt, of the Ascanian family. He devoted his life to expansion toward the East, beyond the Elbe, against the pagan people of the Wends, especially after he was invested by Lotario III (1134) with the Altmark. From there he conquered vast territories beyond the river (crusade of 1146–47), promoting the conversion of the Slavs and German colonization; he founded the bishoprics of Havelberg and Brandenburg and, from 1150 (after the death of Pribislao, prince of the Wends), called himself margrave of Brandenburg. He died in 1170.