Rupert, King of the Romans facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Rupert |
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Contemporary painting in the collegiate church of Neustadt an der Weinstraße
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| King of Germany | |
| Reign | 21 August 1400 – 18 May 1410 |
| Coronation | 6 January 1401 |
| Predecessor | Wenceslaus |
| Successor | Jobst of Moravia |
| Elector Palatine | |
| Reign | 6 January 1398 – 18 May 1410 |
| Predecessor | Rupert II |
| Successor | Louis III |
| Born | 5 May 1352 Amberg, Upper Palatinate |
| Died | 18 May 1410 (aged 58) Landskron Castle, Oppenheim, Electoral Palatinate |
| Burial | Church of the Holy Spirit, Heidelberg |
| Spouse | Elisabeth of Hohenzollern |
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| House | Wittelsbach |
| Father | Rupert II, Elector Palatine |
| Mother | Beatrice of Aragon |
Rupert of the Palatinate (also known as Robert of the Palatinate) was an important ruler in medieval Germany. He was born on May 5, 1352, and died on May 18, 1410.
Rupert belonged to a powerful family called the House of Wittelsbach. He was the Elector Palatine from 1398, which meant he was a very important prince in a region called the Palatinate. Later, he became the King of Germany in 1400 and ruled until his death.
Contents
Early Life and Family
Rupert was born in a town called Amberg in a region known as the Upper Palatinate. His father was Rupert II, Elector Palatine, who was also an Elector Palatine. His mother was Beatrice of Aragon.
Rupert grew up in a monastery near Worms. His grandmother lived there as a nun. This upbringing likely influenced his character.
Becoming King of Germany
Rupert became the Elector Palatine when his father died in 1398. He quickly became involved in the politics of the Holy Roman Empire.
In 1400, Rupert and three other powerful princes, called prince-electors, decided that the current King of Germany, Wenceslaus, was not doing a good job. They met and officially removed Wenceslaus from his position.
The very next day, these same four electors voted for Rupert to become the new King of Germany. This was a big step for him.
Coronation and Challenges
Rupert was crowned King in Cologne on January 6, 1401. The city of Aachen, where kings were usually crowned, refused to let him in.
As king, Rupert faced many challenges. He didn't have a strong power base across the entire empire. Wenceslaus's powerful family, the House of Luxembourg, still challenged Rupert's right to be king.
Rupert tried to gain more support. He even went to Italy hoping to be crowned Holy Roman Emperor by the Pope. However, his military campaign in Italy was not successful, and he returned to Germany in 1402.
Rupert's Reign and Achievements
Despite the challenges, Rupert worked hard to bring peace to Germany. Things started to improve when Wenceslaus was arrested by his own brother, Sigismund, in 1402. The Pope also finally recognized Rupert as the rightful king.
Rupert also made an important alliance with England. His son, Louis, married Blanche of Lancaster, the daughter of King Henry IV, in 1402. This marriage helped strengthen Rupert's position.
In his own lands, the Palatinate, Rupert was a very good ruler. He was known for being fair and effective.
Later Years and Death
Rupert continued to face some conflicts, especially with the Archbishop of Mainz. However, he was starting to make progress in solving these issues.
Rupert died at his castle near Oppenheim on May 18, 1410. He was buried in the Church of the Holy Spirit in Heidelberg.
Before he died, Rupert decided to divide his lands among his four surviving sons. His eldest son, Louis III, became the new Elector Palatine. His other sons received different parts of the Palatinate.
Family and Children
Rupert married Elisabeth of Hohenzollern in 1374. She was the daughter of a powerful burgrave.
They had several children together:
- Rupert Pipan (1375–1397)
- Margaret (1376–1434), who married Duke Charles II of Lorraine.
- Frederick (c. 1377–1401)
- Louis III, Elector Palatine (1378–1436)
- Agnes (1379–1401), who married Duke Adolph I of Cleves.
- Elisabeth (1381–1408), who married Duke Frederick IV of Austria.
- Count Palatine John of Neumarkt (1383–1443)
- Count Palatine Stephen of Simmern-Zweibrücken (1385–1459)
- Count Palatine Otto I of Mosbach (1390–1461)
Legacy
Rupert was sometimes called Clemens, which means "the Gentle." This shows that he was seen as a kind and fair ruler. He also ordered the building of the Ruprecht building in Heidelberg Castle, which still stands today.
See also
- Kings of Germany family tree
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Rupert, King of the Romans
Born: 1352 Died: 1410 |
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| Regnal titles | ||
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| Preceded by Rupert II |
Elector Palatine 1398–1410 |
Succeeded by Louis III |
| Count of Zweibrücken 1398–1410 |
Succeeded by Stephen |
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| Preceded by Wenceslaus |
King of Germany 1400–1410 |
Succeeded by Sigismund |
