- Louis I, Duke of Bavaria
Ludwig I. der Kelheimer Wittelsbach von Bayern, Duke of Bavaria, Count Palatine of the Rhine, was born 23 December 1173 in Kelheim to Otto I. von Bayern (1117-1183) and Agnes van Loon (1150-1191) and died 15 September 1231 Kelheim of unspecified causes. He married Ludmilla of Bohemia (1170-1240) October 1204 JL .
Louis I (German: Ludwig; 23 December 1173 – 15 September 1231), called the Kelheimer or of Kelheim, since he was born and died at Kelheim,[1] was the Duke of Bavaria from 1183 and Count Palatine of the Rhine from 1214. He was the only surviving son of Otto I, Duke of Bavaria (the first duke from the House of Wittelsbach) by his wife Agnes of Loon.[2] He married Ludmilla of Bohemia, a daughter of Duke Frederick of Bohemia.
Ludwig I, Duke of Bavaria (also known as Ludwig der Kelheimer), was a significant figure in medieval Bavarian history. He was born in 1173 and died in 1231. Here’s a detailed overview of his life and impact:
Early Life and Background
Birth and Family: Ludwig I was born in 1173 as the son of Otto VI, Duke of Bavaria, and Agnes of Loon. The Wittelsbach family, to which he belonged, was a prominent noble house in the Holy Roman Empire. Education: He received an education befitting a noble of his status, which prepared him for a life of governance and diplomacy.
Duke of Bavaria
Ascension: Ludwig became Duke of Bavaria in 1183 following the death of his father, Otto VI. His reign was marked by efforts to consolidate and strengthen his family's holdings. Administrative Efforts: Ludwig I focused on improving the administrative and legal structures of his duchy. He sought to enhance the stability and efficiency of governance in Bavaria.
Political and Military Activities
Territorial Expansion: Ludwig worked to expand his territories and secure his borders. He engaged in various military campaigns and political maneuvers to achieve these goals. Alliances and Diplomacy: His reign involved significant diplomatic efforts, including alliances with other noble families and states. These alliances were crucial in navigating the complex political landscape of medieval Europe.
Conflicts and Challenges
Rivalries: Ludwig’s rule was not without challenges. He faced rivalries from other noble families and had to deal with internal dissent within his own territories. Imperial Relations: His relationship with the Holy Roman Empire was complex. While Bavaria was a significant part of the empire, Ludwig had to balance his interests with those of the emperor and other regional powers.
Crusade
On 23 July 1215, Louis was at Aachen, to oversee the re-crowning of Frederick II as King of the Romans. While there, both Louis and Frederick took crusader vows. The Emperor had given Louis 2000 marks of silver for his Crusade.
In May 1221, Louis sailed on with his Bavarian army with Ulrich II, Bishop of Passau, Herman V, Margrave of Baden-Baden, John of Brienne and many other nobles. As soon as their fleet had arrived at Damietta, a council was held with Pelagio Galvani, the papal legate, in the city. Louis had urged they assemble their armies and strike at the sultan's camp, before the river should take up its usual increase. A plan was formed and tents were set up just up the river on 29 June. On 6 July, the Legate had ordered a three-day fast and carrying the banner of Christ barefoot, planted it where the river rises. That next day, King John had come with a numerous army to bring further assistance to their cause. Then on 17 July they gathered at the village of Fariskur, where they were met by the enemy. In the battle of Fariskur, they repelled the enemy so well, no losses came to the crusader side. The legate had been generous in wages to the knights and their attendants, armed ships sparing neither body nor wealth to finish the task, along with the help of Duke Louis, King John, the bishops, archbishops and the grand masters of the orders.
On 19 July the Saracens had sent a large cavalry force against the Crusaders. The Muslims had surrounded the Christians and shot arrows at them, avoiding close combat. The Crusaders responded in kind and the Muslims withdrew. But the next day, on 20 July, the enemy had attacked fiercer than ever, only to injure and kill very few Crusaders in number. By 21 July, the Muslims retreated yet again. But in doing so, they burned many of their villages in the process, to prevent the Crusaders from gaining those footholds and their resources. This failed, as the Crusaders still managed to find food in many of the deserted villages. This granted the Crusaders a peaceful pass through Saramsah, which the Sultan had destroyed.
He was given as a hostage in Egypt to Al-Kamil but later released. In 1225 Louis took over the guardianship for the young king Henry. Subsequently, however, Louis's relationship with both his ward and the emperor deteriorated. With the latter, there were differences in matters of church policy, during the conflict with Henry in 1229 he even fought with military means, but the Bavarian duke was defeated. He intrigued with the Pope against the Staufer during the War of the Keys in Italy. Under pressure, he moved back to Kelheim Castle in 1230.
Final years
Louis was murdered in 1231 on a bridge in Kelheim. The crime was never cleared up since the murderer - reportedly an Assassin - was immediately lynched, though many suspected Emperor Frederick II to be behind the deed. Afterwards the city of Kelheim lost the favour of the Wittelsbach family and its status as a ducal residence. Louis's son and successor, Otto the Illustrious, had the bridge broken down in the following year and changed its gate to a chapel. Louis was buried in the crypt of Scheyern Abbey.
Historical Impact
Governance: Ludwig I’s reign is noted for his efforts to consolidate and stabilize Bavaria. His administrative reforms and efforts to secure his territories contributed to the long-term stability of the duchy. Cultural Contributions: Although less documented, like many medieval rulers, Ludwig’s reign likely had an impact on the cultural and economic development of Bavaria. Ludwig I of Bavaria played a crucial role in shaping the medieval history of his region. His efforts in administration, diplomacy, and military affairs helped lay the groundwork for future developments in the duchy.
Children
| Name | Birth | Death | Joined with |
| Otto II. von Bayern (1206-1253) | 7 April 1206 Kelheim, Bavaria, Germany | 29 November 1253 Landshut, Bavaria, Germany | Agnes von der Pfalz (c1201-1267) |
Siblings
| Name | Birth | Death | Joined with |
| Otto von Wittelsbach (1169-1181) | |||
| Sophie von Wittelsbach (1170-1238) | 1170 | 1238 | Hermann I. von Thüringen (c1155-1217) |
| Heilica I. von Wittelsbach (1171-?) | |||
| Agnes von Wittelsbach (1172-1200) | |||
| Richarde von Wittelsbach (1173-1231) | 1173 | 1231 | Otto I van Gelre (aft1145-1207) |
| Ludwig I. von Bayern (1173-1231) | 23 December 1173 Kelheim | 15 September 1231 Kelheim | Ludmilla of Bohemia (1170-1240) |
| Heilica II. von Wittelsbach (1176-?) | |||
| Elisabeth von Wittelsbach (1178-?) | |||
| Mechthild von Wittelsbach (1180-1231) | |||
References
See Also
External Links
- wikipedia:en:Louis I, Duke of Bavaria
- Ludwig I Herzog von Bayern at thePeerage
- Ludwig I Herzog von Bayern, FamilySearch, https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/2:2:9CQG-HW7, retrieved 04 Aug 2024
Bibliography
- Lyon, Jonathan R. (2013). Princely Brothers and Sisters: The Sibling Bond in German Politics, 1100-1250. Cornell University Press. p. 248.
- Holzfurtner, Ludwig (2005). Die Wittelsbacher: Staat und Dynastie in acht Jahrhunderten (Urban-Taschenbucher). Kohlhammer. ISBN 978-3170181915.
- Hubensteiner, Benno (2013). Bayerische Geschichte. Munich: Rosenheimer Verlagshaus. ISBN 978-3475537561.
- Stevens, John (1706). The History of Bavaria: From the First Ages, to This Present Year. https://archive.org/details/historybavariaf00stevgoog.
- Peltzer, Jörg (2013). Die Wittelsbacher und die Kurpfalz im Mittelalter: Eine Erfolgsgeschichte?. Schnell & Steiner. ISBN 978-3795426453.
- Powell, James M. (1986). Anatomy of a Crusade 1213-1221. Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press. ISBN 0-8122-1323-8.
- Reiss-Engelhorn-Museen, Mannheim (2013). Die Wittelsbacher am Rhein. Die Kurpfalz und Europa: 2 Bände. Schnell & Steiner. ISBN 978-3795426446.
- Schmid, Gregor M. (2014). Die Familie, die Bayern erfand: Das Haus Wittelsbach: Geschichten, Traditionen, Schicksale, Skandale. Munich: Stiebner. ISBN 978-3830710608.
- Vogel, Susanne (2012). Die Wittelsbacher: Herzöge - Kurfürsten - Könige in Bayern von 1180 bis 1918. Biografische Skizzen. Staackmann. ISBN 978-3886752485.
Nobility Charts
Ludwig I. von Bayern (1173-1231) Born: 1173 Died: 1231
| ||
| Regnal titles | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Otto I |
Duke of Bavaria 1183–1231 |
Succeeded by Otto II |
| Preceded by Henry VI |
Count Palatine of the Rhine 1214–1231 | |
| Preceded by Henry of Kalden |
Marshal of the Holy Roman Empire 1214-1221 |
Succeeded by Louis IV, Landgrave of Thuringia |