Louis IX, Duke of Bavaria

Louis IX (German: Ludwig IX, Herzog von Bayern-Landshut, also known as Louis the Rich; 23 February 1417 – 18 January 1479) was Duke of Bavaria-Landshut from 1450. He was a son of Henry XVI the Rich and Margaret of Austria.^[1] Louis was the founder of the University of Ingolstadt (now the University of Munich).

Louis IX and his wife Amalia of Saxony.

Louis IX
Louis IX, Duke of Bavaria
Duke of Bavaria-Landshut
Reign	30 July 1450 – 18 January 1479
Predecessor	Henry XVI
Successor	George
Born	(1417-02-23)23 February 1417 Burghausen, Bavaria
Died	18 January 1479(1479-01-18) (aged 61) Landshut
Spouse	Amalia of Saxony
Issue among others...	George, Duke of Bavaria Margaret
House	House of Wittelsbach
Father	Henry XVI, Duke of Bavaria
Mother	Margaret of Austria

Biography

Louis succeeded his father in 1450. He was the second of the three famous rich dukes who reigned in Bavaria-Landshut in the 15th century. Their residence was Trausnitz Castle in Landshut, a fortification which attained enormous dimensions.

Louis invaded the imperial free cities of Dinkelsbühl and Donauwörth in 1458, and disputed with Frederick III, Holy Roman Emperor until peace was made in Prague in 1463. In 1462, Louis defeated his enemy Albert III, Margrave of Brandenburg, who tried to extend his influence in Franconia in the battle of Giengen. Louis expelled all Jews who rejected baptism from his duchy.^[1]

Louis founded a university in Ingolstadt in 1472, which was moved to Landshut in 1800 and finally to Munich in 1826; in 1802, it was renamed Ludwig-Maximilians-University. In 1475 he organized the Landshut Wedding of his son George with the princess Hedwig Jagiellon, a daughter of King Casimir IV of Poland.

Family and children

On 21 March 1452 Louis was married with Princess Amalia of Saxony (4 April 1436 – 19 October 1501), daughter of Frederick II, Elector of Saxony.^[1] They had four children:

1. Elisabeth (c. 1453 – 1457)
2. George, Duke of Bavaria (15 August 1455 – 1 December 1503)
3. Margaret (7 November 1456 – 25 February 1501), married on 21 February 1474 to Philip, Elector Palatine
4. Anna (c. 1462–1462)

Ancestors

Ancestors of Louis IX, Duke of Bavaria

16. Louis IV, Holy Roman Emperor (= 28) 8. Stephen II, Duke of Bavaria 17. Beatrice of Silesia 4. Frederick, Duke of Bavaria 18. Frederick III of Sicily 9. Elisabeth of Sicily 19. Eleanor of Anjou 2. Henry XVI, Duke of Bavaria 20. Stefano Visconti 10. Bernabò Visconti 21. Valentina Doria 5. Maddalena Visconti 22. Mastino II della Scala 11. Beatrice Regina della Scala 23. Taddea da Carrara 1. Louis IX, Duke of Bavaria 24. Albert II of Austria 12. Albert III, Duke of Austria 25. Johanna of Pfirt 6. Albert IV, Duke of Austria 26. Frederick V, Burgrave of Nuremberg 13. Beatrix of Nuremberg 27. Elisabeth of Meissen 3. Margarete of Austria 28. Louis IV, Holy Roman Emperor (= 16) 14. Albert I, Duke of Bavaria 29. Margaret II, Countess of Hainault 7. Joanna Sophia of Bavaria 30. Louis I of Brzeg 15. Margaret of Brieg 31. Agnes of Żagań

The wedding of his son George with the Polish princess Hedwig Jagiellon in 1475 was celebrated in Landshut with one of the most splendid festivals of the Middle Age.

References

1. II, Pope Pius (2013). Europe (c. 1400–1458). CUA Press. p. 193. ISBN 978-0-8132-2182-3.

Louis IX, Duke of Bavaria House of Wittelsbach Born: 23 February 1417 Died: 18 January 1479
Regnal titles
Preceded by Henry XVI	Duke of Bavaria-Landshut 1450–1479	Succeeded by George the Rich