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Antique woodblock from the 1493 Nuremberg Chronicle depicting the genealogy of Saint Henry The Emperor.

Emperor Heinrich, commonly recognized in English as Henry, represents one of the foremost figures in the Holy Roman Empire's history, particularly during its formative years. There were several Emperor Henrys in the annals of the Holy Roman Empire, but for the context of the 1493 Nuremberg Chronicle and the Saxony lineage,  the present lineage if for Emperor Heinrich II, also known as Saint Henry II or Henry the Exuberant.

Henry II (973–1024):
Henry II, born in 973, was the last Ottonian emperor, ruling the Holy Roman Empire from 1014 until his death in 1024. He was canonized in 1146 by Pope Eugenius III, making him the only German king to be officially recognized as a saint. He was a devout Christian, and his reign was characterized by his efforts to strengthen the Church and the Empire. He founded the Diocese of Bamberg, a significant center of the Catholic Church in Germany, which later became a major center for the Ottonian Renaissance.

Ottonian Dynasty:
The lineage leading to Henry II is deeply intertwined with the Ottonian dynasty, which had its origins in the German region of Saxony. The dynasty takes its name from its founding figure, Otto I.

Otto I (912–973):
Often referred to as Otto the Great, he was the first of the Ottonian line of Holy Roman Emperors. He began his reign as the King of Germany in 936 and later became the Holy Roman Emperor in 962. He is credited with consolidating the German Reich and establishing the Holy Roman Empire's presence in European politics. His reign is marked by a series of military campaigns, church reforms, and the fostering of a close alliance between the Church and the state.

Henry I (876–936):
Known as Henry the Fowler, he was the Duke of Saxony and later the King of East Francia. He is considered the founder of the Ottonian dynasty because of his successful consolidation of various German tribes into a unified kingdom. Although not an emperor himself, his leadership set the foundation for his successors, including his son Otto I, to establish the Holy Roman Empire.

The Ottonian dynasty's lineage is filled with individuals who played pivotal roles in shaping the course of European history. The dynasty's Saxon origins were pivotal in the Empire's formation, and Saxony remained a key territory throughout the medieval period. The familial line that led to Henry II not only defined the Holy Roman Empire's political and religious contours but also set in motion the intricate interplay of power dynamics across the European landscape. Through their leadership, the Ottonians managed to create a stable, powerful, and enduring legacy in the Holy Roman Empire's history.