Ulrich V, Count of Württemberg facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Ulrich V
Ulrich V with His Three (Successive) Wives, c. 1470–1480
Count of Württemberg with Ludwig I
Reign	2 July 1419 – 25 January 1442
Predecessor	Eberhard IV
Successor	Treaty of Nürtingen
Regent	Henriette of Mömpelgard (1419–1426)
Count of Württemberg-Stuttgart
Reign	25 January 1442 – 8 January 1480
Successor	Eberhard VI
Born	1413
Died	(1480-09-01)1 September 1480 (aged 66–67) Leonberg, Württemberg
Burial	8 October 1480 Stiftskirche, Stuttgart
Spouse	Margaret of Cleves ​ ​ (m. 1441; died 1444)​ Elisabeth of Bavaria-Landshut ​ ​ (m. 1444; died 1451)​ Margaret of Savoy ​ ​ (m. 1453; died 1479)​
Issue more...	Eberhard VI Heinrich, Count of Montbéliard
House	Württemberg
Father	Eberhard IV
Mother	Henriette of Mömpelgard

Ulrich V (born 1413, died September 1, 1480) was a powerful ruler in Germany. People called him "the Much-Loved" (der Vielgeliebte). He started as a Count of Württemberg in 1419. Later, he became the Count of Württemberg-Stuttgart and ruled until he died in 1480.

The Early Life of Count Ulrich V

Ulrich was born in 1413. He was the youngest child of Count Eberhard IV and his wife, Henriette. Sadly, his father died suddenly in 1419. At that time, Ulrich and his older brother Ludwig were still very young.

Because they were so young, their mother Henriette became their main guardian. She worked with a group of 32 important people from Württemberg to help rule.

How Ulrich V Shared Power

In 1426, Ulrich's brother Ludwig became old enough to rule on his own. Ulrich joined the government in 1433. After a few years of ruling together, Ulrich decided it was time to divide the county.

He married Margaret of Cleves and pushed for this division. It was officially agreed upon on April 23, 1441. Ulrich received the eastern and northern parts of the land, with Stuttgart as his capital city. Ludwig received the western and southern parts, with Urach as his capital, along with lands in Alsace. This division was first meant to last only four years. However, it became permanent on January 25, 1442, through the Treaty of Nürtingen.

Ulrich V and the Old Zürich War

In 1444, Ulrich supported King Friedrich III of the House of Habsburg in a conflict called the Old Zürich War. This war was against the Old Swiss Confederacy. Ulrich joined forces with other important leaders. These included Margrave Albrecht Achilles of Brandenburg and Margrave Jakob I of Baden.

Together, they formed a group called the Mergentheimer Alliance. This alliance often fought against the free imperial towns. These were cities that ruled themselves.

Fighting Imperial Towns

One of Ulrich's main opponents among these towns was Esslingen. This city made it harder for Württemberg to earn money by raising its taxes. Even though Ulrich won many battles against Esslingen and other towns, he couldn't gain a lasting advantage.

Ulrich V and His Nephews

In 1450, Ulrich's brother Ludwig I died. This meant Ulrich became the guardian of his nephews, Ludwig II and Eberhard V. They were future counts of Württemberg-Urach.

However, Frederick I, Elector Palatine also claimed the right to be their guardian. This led to a disagreement. Ludwig II died in 1457. The lands of Urach then went to Count Eberhard V in 1459.

Ulrich V and the German Empire Conflicts

In 1458, Ulrich destroyed the castle of Widdern. This made the tensions between him and Frederick even worse. Two main groups had formed in the German Empire. Ulrich joined the side of Emperor Frederick III and Margrave Albrecht Achilles of Brandenburg. Their main opponents were Duke Albert VI of Austria, Frederick of the Palatinate, and Duke Louis IX of Bavaria.

Fighting between these groups began in 1460. After a short break, Emperor Frederick III declared war on Bavaria again the next year. Ulrich and Albrecht Achilles led the emperor's forces.

The Battle of Seckenheim

Soon after, a conflict called the Mainz Diocesan Feud started (1461-1463). Ulrich supported Archbishop Adolf II of Nassau against his former leader, Diether von Isenburg, and Frederick I of the Palatinate. After some small fights, a big battle happened on June 30, 1462, near Seckenheim. Ulrich and his allies were defeated and captured by the Palatinate forces.

Ulrich was only able to return to Stuttgart on April 27, 1463, after a large payment was made to free him.

Ulrich V's Later Years

In 1473, Ulrich and Eberhard V made an agreement. This agreement was meant to help their families inherit land together and to reunite the two parts of Württemberg.

On January 8, 1480, Ulrich gave control of Württemberg-Stuttgart to his oldest son, Eberhard. Ulrich died on September 1, 1480, in Leonberg. He was visiting his nephew Eberhard, who would later become the Duke of Württemberg. After a funeral procession, Ulrich was buried at the Stiftskirche in Stuttgart on October 8, 1480.

Ulrich V's Family: Wives and Children

Ulrich V had three wives during his life. He had several children with his first two wives.

See also

• History of Baden-Württemberg