Otto of Freising was a 12th-century German Cistercian monk, bishop, and historian. Born into a powerful family in Klosterneuburg, he was the son of Margrave Leopold III and related to Emperor Frederick Barbarossa. After studying philosophy in Paris, he served as the abbot of Morimond and later became the bishop of Freising. He participated in the Second Crusade, traveling to Jerusalem before returning to Bavaria. He is primarily remembered for his significant historical writings, which provided detailed accounts of the political and religious developments of his era.