Not able to establish himself, he finally lost both territories, when he was deposed by King Henry IV of Germany during the Investiture Controversy in 1077.

His lordship of choice was Baden (present-day Baden-Baden), where his father had gained the right to rule by marrying the heiress, Judit von Backnang-Sulichgau, Countess of Eberstein-Calw.

The fourth margrave of Baden-Baden, Herman V, Margrave of Baden-Baden (reigned 1190–1243), founded the cities of Backnang, Durlach, Stuttgart, Ettlingen, and Pforzheim and several monasteries, including the Lichtenthal Abbey, which became the burial place of his descendants.

He had to abandon his claims to Zähringen and Braunschweig, but he gained the title of Graf [Count] von Ortenau and Breisgau, named for the two valleys in southern Baden.

A soldier of some renown, Bernard continued the mission of his predecessors, and gained several more districts, including Baden-Pforzheim and Baden-Hochberg.

In that year, one-half of the dominions of Lahr and Mahlberg was brought into the fold, creating the link between the two main areas, the Breisgau in the south and Baden-Baden in the north.

Throughout the Late Middle Ages, Baden grew its administration, finances and armies until it became one of the biggest and strongest states of the Holy Roman Empire in southwestern Germany, especially after it gained the Habsburg possessions in the rest of the Ortenau and the Breisgau.

In 1462 the dispute over the election of the new Archbishop of Mainz sent Charles I (reigned 1453–1475) to fight the war against Frederick I, Elector Palatine.

It would be the first of several partitions, establishing the two main lines of the House of Baden – Baden-Baden and Baden-Durlach (Baden-Pforzheim until 1565) – which would last until 1771.

During the wars of Louis XIV, the "Sun King" of France, the two margraviates were ravaged by the French troops.

The forces of the Holy Roman Empire, led by the Margrave of Baden-Baden, "Turkish Louis" William (reigned 1677–1707) fought against France.

All his territories passed to his 6th cousin twice removed and nearest heir – the Margrave of Baden-Durlach, Charles Frederick (reigned 1738–1811).

Although Baden was finally united, its domains were fragmented and widespread on both sides of the Upper Rhine river, with the total area of 1,350 sq mi (3,500 km2).

Charles Frederick had to pay an indemnity and cede his territories on the left bank of the Rhine to France.