Ulrich III, Duke of Carinthia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ulrich III of Spanheim
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| Duke of Carinthia, Lord of Carniola | |
Part of a seal used by Ulrich III
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| Duke | 1256–1269 |
| Predecessor | Bernhard von Spanheim |
| Successor | Ottokar II of Bohemia |
| Born | c. 1220 |
| Died | 27 October 1269 Cividale del Friuli |
| Noble family | House of Sponheim |
| Spouse(s) | Agnes of Andechs Agnes of Baden |
| Father | Bernhard von Spanheim |
| Mother | Judith of Bohemia |
Ulrich III (born around 1220 – died October 27, 1269) was an important ruler in the Middle Ages. He was the Lord of a region called Carniola starting around 1249. Later, from 1256 until he died, he became the Duke of Carinthia. He was the very last ruler from his family, the House of Sponheim.
Ulrich's time as a ruler had a big impact on the lands he governed. In Carniola, he gained control of more areas, becoming the first clear "provincial lord." This helped create the future Duchy of Carniola. The city of Ljubljana became the main center for his power and the capital of the region. In Carinthia, a special design from his personal seal is still used today as the official coat of arms for the region.
Ulrich tried to gain more land by marrying twice. His first wife was Agnes of Merania. After she passed away, he married Agnes of Baden. Both women were connected to a powerful family called the Babenbergs. However, Ulrich did not have any children who lived to inherit his lands. Because of this, after his younger brother Philip of Spanheim briefly tried to take over, all of Ulrich's lands went to his cousin, Ottokar II of Bohemia.
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Who Was Ulrich III?
Ulrich III was the oldest son of Duke Bernhard of Carinthia. His mother was Judith, who came from the powerful Přemyslid royal family in Bohemia. Ulrich's father had already started to take control of the Carniola region. Ulrich made this control even stronger when he married Agnes of Andechs. She was the widow of the last Babenberg duke, Frederick II of Austria.
From 1251, Ulrich helped his father rule Carinthia. Then, in 1256, when his father passed away, Ulrich became the Duke himself.
Developing His Lands
Ulrich continued the work his father had started to improve their territories. In 1260, he finished building a special monastery for monks called the charterhouse in Bistra. This place was near Ljubljana. He also helped set up a monastery for Canons Regular in a town called Völkermarkt.
Family Challenges and Inheritance
Ulrich had some disagreements with his younger brother, Philip, about their family's inheritance. Philip was supposed to become a church leader and was chosen as the Archbishop of Salzburg in 1247. However, Philip did not want to fully join the church. He wanted to keep his right to become the next ruler of Carinthia.
Ulrich and Philip eventually agreed to protect each other and share their inheritance. Philip was removed from his position as archbishop in 1257. After that, the brothers even fought together against the new archbishop.
A Secret Agreement
Later, it became clear that Philip would not be able to return to his position in Salzburg. In 1267, he asked Ulrich to divide their family's lands. Philip also suggested that he should be Ulrich's heir. This was because Ulrich's son from his first marriage had died young, and his second marriage had not produced any children.
However, on December 4, 1268, Ulrich secretly went to Poděbrady Castle. There, he made a special agreement with his cousin, Ottokar II of Bohemia, who was the King. In this agreement, King Ottokar was named Ulrich's only heir.
When Duke Ulrich III died in Cividale del Friuli on October 27, 1269, both Philip and King Ottokar II claimed his lands. Philip was chosen as the Patriarch of Aquileia that same year. But the Pope never officially confirmed his position. In 1270 or 1271, King Ottokar's forces forced Philip to leave. This event marked the end of the Sponheim family's rule in Carinthia, which had lasted for 150 years.
Ulrich III's Marriages
Ulrich III was married two times during his life:
- His first wife was Agnes of Merania (1215–1263). She had been married before to Duke Frederick II of Austria. Ulrich and Agnes had one son, but he passed away when he was very young.
- His second wife was Agnes of Baden (1250–1295). She was the daughter of Margrave Herman VI of Baden and Gertrude of Babenberg. Gertrude was a niece of Duke Frederick II of Austria. Ulrich and Agnes of Baden did not have any children.
