 In 1106 Rudolf became Margrave of Nordmark and Count of Stade after the death of his brother Lothair Udo III, as regent and guardian for Lothair's son Henry II.The Count of Stade was effectively administered by Friedrich while Henry II was still underage.In 1112, Rudolf allied himself with Lothair of Supplinburg, then Duke of Saxony (and later Holy Roman Emperor) in opposing Emperor Henry V, and as a result was deposed from his position.