Günther von Schwarzburg facts for kids

Günther von Schwarzburg in splinted armour on his tombstone in Frankfurt

Günther XXI von Schwarzburg (born around 1304 – died June 14, 1349) was a powerful count from the Schwarzburg family. He was even chosen by some to be the King of Germany, though this was disputed.

Günther's Early Life and Family

Günther was born around 1304. He was the younger son of Henry VII, Count of Schwarzburg-Blankenburg. In 1331, he married Elisabeth von Honstein-Klettenberg. They had five children, including a son named Heinrich XIII.

Becoming King of Germany

Günther was a skilled diplomat. He worked for Emperor Louis IV. When Emperor Louis IV died in 1347, the throne of Germany became open. Some people offered the crown to Edward III of England, but he said no.

Then, on January 30, 1349, Günther was elected king. This happened at a monastery in Frankfurt. The four electors who chose him were supporters of the Wittelsbach family. They were against Charles of Luxembourg, who later became Emperor Charles IV.

The four electors were:

• Louis, Margrave of Brandenburg
• The Duke of Saxe-Lauenburg
• The Elector Palatine
• The former Elector of Mainz, Heinrich III von Virneberg

Günther believed he was the rightful king. He argued that he was chosen in the "right place," Frankfurt. He also said that Charles IV was not crowned in the right place. Charles was crowned in Bonn, not in Aachen, which was the traditional city for coronations.

Conflict and Treaty

However, Charles IV gained more support. Charles's army defeated Günther's army at the battle of Eltville near the Rhine River.

Günther became very ill. On May 26, 1349, he gave up his claim to the throne. This was part of the Treaty of Eltville. In return, he received 20,000 marks of silver. The treaty also promised safety for his followers.

Death and Legacy

Günther died three weeks later, on June 14, 1349. He passed away at a monastery in Frankfurt. It is thought he died from the Black Death, a serious illness at the time. Günther himself suggested he might have been poisoned, but this cannot be proven.

Charles IV arranged for Günther to be buried with royal honors. He was buried in the Frankfurt Cathedral. His tombstone, a beautiful piece of gothic art, was put up in 1352. Today, some streets and a school in Frankfurt are named after him, like Schwarzburgstraße and Güntherstraße.

Opera

There is an Singspiel (a type of German opera) about Günther. It is called Günther von Schwarzburg. Ignaz Holzbauer composed it, and it was first performed in 1777.