Stephen I, Duke of Bavaria facts for kids

Stephen I (born March 14, 1271 – died December 10, 1310) was a duke who ruled Lower Bavaria from 1290 until 1310. He ruled alongside his older brothers, Otto III and Louis III.

Stephen's Early Life and Family

Stephen was born in a city called Landshut. His parents were Henry XIII, Duke of Bavaria and Elizabeth of Hungary. His mother, Elizabeth, was the sister of a king named Stephen V of Hungary. She likely named her youngest son, Stephen, after her brother. This is how the name Stephen first came into the Wittelsbach family, which was a very important ruling family.

Becoming a Duke

Stephen was originally meant to have a career in the church. However, Pope Nicholas IV did not allow this. The Pope wanted to reduce the power of the Wittelsbach family. Because of this, Stephen became a co-ruler with his brothers instead. This meant they shared the job of leading Lower Bavaria.

From 1305 to 1308, Stephen's brother Otto III was away in Hungary. During this time, Stephen was the only duke governing Lower Bavaria. Stephen was known for being an enemy of the Habsburg family, another powerful ruling family. He died in 1310 during a war against Frederick I of Austria, who was a Habsburg ruler.

Stephen's Family and Children

In 1299, Stephen married a woman named Jutta of Schweidnitz. Her parents were Bolko I, Duke of Jawor and Świdnica and Beatrix of Brandenburg. Stephen and Jutta had eight children together:

• Agnes of Wittelsbach (1301 - 1316). She became a nun at a monastery.
• Beatrix of Wittelsbach (1302 - 1360). She married Henry III of Gorizia. Later, she acted as a regent (a temporary ruler) for her son, John Henry IV of Gorizia.
• Friedrich of Wittelsbach (around 1303). He likely died when he was very young.
• Judith of Wittelsbach (around 1304). She also likely died when she was very young.
• Henry XIV, Duke of Bavaria (1305 - 1339). He later became a duke.
• Elizabeth of Wittelsbach (1306 - 1330). She married Otto, Duke of Austria.
• Otto IV, Duke of Lower Bavaria (1307 - 1334). He also became a duke.
• Ludwig of Wittelsbach (around 1308). He likely died when he was very young.

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