When duke Burchard II died at Novara, while campaigning in Italy, King Henry the Fowler gave the duchy to Herman.
[2] Only once during his reign did Herman face a rebellion by his vassals, but he was also forced several times to make concessions in Switzerland.
Sankt Gallen was given over to the direct protection of the king and the duke lost the use of its lands and incomes.
By his control over the Alpine passes into Burgundy and Italy, he dutifully served Ottonian interests in these realms.
He founded the church of St Florin in Coblenz and was buried at the monastery on Reichenau Island on Lake Constance.