Siegfried was born around 1075. He was the son of
Adalbert II of Ballenstedt and
Adelaide of Weimar-Orlamünde, daughter of
Otto I of Meissen and his wife,
Adela of Louvain. Siegfried's father, Adalbert, was murdered by
Egeno II of Konradsburg in 1080, and Siegfried's brother,
Otto the Rich, succeeded him as count of Ballenstedt. Siegfried inherited his father's property in Nordthüringengau. After Adalbert's death, Siegfried's mother remarried twice, to two successive
counts palatine of the
Rhineland: first,
Hermann II (d.1085), and then
Henry of Laach (d.1095). After Henry's death, Siegfried claimed his title of
count palatine of the Rhineland (r.1095/7-1113). Influenced by the
First Crusade, Siegfried is thought to have travelled to
Jerusalem. In 1112 he is also said to have completed the foundation of
Maria Laach Abbey, begun in 1093 by his mother, Adelaide, and his stepfather, Henry of Laach. In 1112
Ulric II of Weimar-Orlamünde died without heirs. By virtue of his mother, Adelaide's, kinship, Siegfried then claimed Ulric's title. This led Siegfried into conflict with Emperor
Henry V. Imperial partisans attacked Siegfried at the
Teufelsmauer in the Harz on 21 February 1113. Siegfried survived the attack, but died of his injuries on 9 March 1113. == Marriage and children ==