Around 1162 he was married to Bertha (died February 24, 1169), the daughter of Count Palatine Ludwig of Tübingen.

Hermann was a guarantor in the peace of Constance in 1183, in which the cities of Lombardy became independent.

Hermann fought under the Emperor during the Third Crusade, traversing Anatolia en route to the Siege of Acre.

Frederick's death in June of 1190 caused thousands of German soldiers to leave the force and return home through the Cilician and Syrian ports.

The joint German-Hungarian army continued southward but was struck with disease near Antioch, weakening it further.