Albert I, Duke of Bavaria facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Albert I
Duke of Lower Bavaria
Portrait by Willem Thibaut
Born	(1336-07-25)25 July 1336 Munich
Died	13 December 1404(1404-12-13) (aged 68) The Hague
Spouse	Margaret of Brieg Margaret of Cleves
Issue	Katharina, Duchess of Gelders and Jülich Johanna, Queen of Bohemia Margaret, Duchess of Burgundy William VI, Count of Holland Albert II, Duke of Lower Bavaria Joanna Sophia, Duchess of Austria John, Duke of Lower Bavaria
House	House of Wittelsbach
Father	Louis IV, Holy Roman Emperor
Mother	Margaret II, Countess of Holland

Albert I, Duke of Lower Bavaria (German: Albrecht) was born on July 25, 1336. He died on December 13, 1404. Albert was an important ruler in the Low Countries. He governed the areas of Holland, Hainaut, and Zeeland. He also held a part of Bavaria called Straubing. This was the main area for his family's branch of rulers.

Life of Albert I

Silver coin called a 'voetdrager'. It was made when Albert of Bavaria was in charge. This coin was minted in Dordrecht between 1389 and 1404.

A painting of the Trinity with Albert of Bavaria (1400–1404).

Early Years and Family

Albert was born in Munich. He was the third son of Louis IV, Holy Roman Emperor. His mother was Margaret II, Countess of Hainaut and Holland. When his father died, Albert was only 10 years old. Most of the family's lands in Bavaria went to his older half-brother, Louis V, Duke of Bavaria. Albert and his younger brothers received smaller parts of the land.

His older brother, William V, Count of Holland, had a long conflict with their mother. William gained control of Holland and Zeeland in 1354. He also took Hainaut when his mother died in 1356. William was supported by city dwellers. They were opposed by a group of unhappy nobles called the Hook faction. This conflict led to a lot of trouble and chaos.

Becoming a Regent

William V became unwell. Because of this, Albert was chosen to govern his brother's lands. Albert was 22 years old when he became a regent (a person who rules for a king or queen who is too young or ill). This happened in 1358.

During Albert's time as regent, things went well. Trade in the region got better. However, the two political groups, the Hoeks and the Kabeljauws, still had disagreements. William lived for another thirty years. Albert officially became the ruler only after William died in 1388. By then, Albert had already arranged marriages for his daughters. They married important princes and nobles. His daughter Margaret's son, Philip III, Duke of Burgundy, would later inherit Albert's lands.

Ruling as Count

When Albert became the official ruler, new problems started between the Hoeks and the Kabeljauws. These problems were linked to a woman named Aleid van Poelgeest. She was part of the Kabeljauw group. She was seen as very beautiful and gained political influence. This made some people unhappy.

A plan was made by the Hoek nobles and even some people in Albert's own household. On September 22, 1392, Aleid was killed in The Hague. Albert was very angry about this. He punished the Hoeks severely, attacking their castles. Even his own son, William, felt unsafe and moved to Hainaut. In his later years, Albert fought against the Frisians. He won many battles, but he never fully conquered them.

Albert died in 1404. His oldest son, William, became the new ruler. Another son, John III, became a Bishop of Liège. After William died in 1417, a fight for power began. It was between John and William's daughter, Jacqueline of Hainaut. This was the last part of the Hook and Cod wars. Eventually, these lands came under the control of the Burgundian family.

Albert's Family

The coats of arms for the counts of Hainaut and Holland from the Wittelsbach family.

Albert married Margaret of Brieg from Silesia in 1353. They had seven children who all grew up:

• Katherine of Bavaria (born around 1361, died 1400). She married William I of Gelders and Jülich in 1379.
• Joanna of Bavaria (born around 1362, died 1386). She married Wenceslaus, King of the Romans.
• Margaret of Bavaria (born 1363, died 1423). She married John the Fearless in 1385.
• William II, Duke of Bavaria (1365–1417). He also married in 1385 to Margaret, who was the sister of John the Fearless. He was the father of Jacqueline of Hainault.
• Albert II, Duke of Bavaria (1369–1397).
• Joanna Sophia (born around 1373, died 1410). She married Albert IV, Duke of Austria in 1395.
• John, Count of Holland (born 1374/76, died 1425). He became the Bishop of Liège.

Albert also had some children outside of his marriage.

In 1394, Albert married a second time to Margaret of Cleves. She was the sister of Adolph I, Duke of Cleves. They did not have any children together. Albert died in The Hague when he was 68 years old.

See also

• Counts of Hainaut family tree