[1] He married Diemut of Attems, daughter and heir of Conrad of Attems (1052–1106),[2] who was a Minister of King Conrad III, who regarded himself as the heir of Henry V. Therefore, Ulrich tried in 1128–1130 in opposition to the popes to seize the vast Italian properties of Matilda of Tuscany.
Shortly before the death of Henry in 1139, Ulrich was appointed by Conrad (who succeeded Lothair) as vicar there.
King Roger II of Sicily sent his son Alfonso of Capua, supported by his eldest son Roger III, Duke of Apulia, across the border at Pescara, which overwhelmed the defensive forces against them.
The resulting territory up to the Tronto River was then incorporated into the Kingdom of Sicily.
[5] Subsequently, Ulrich had difficulty maintaining and consolidating his power in Tuscany.