William III, Landgrave of Thuringia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids William III, Landgrave of Thuringia |
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| Wilhelm III of Thuringia by Anton Boys | |
| Spouse(s) | Anne of Luxembourg |
| Issue | |
| Margaret of Thuringia | |
| Noble family | House of Wettin |
| Father | Frederick I, Elector of Saxony |
| Mother | Catherine of Brunswick and Lunenburg |
| Born | 30 April 1425 Meissen, Germany |
| Died | 17 September 1482 (aged 57) Weimar, Germany |
William III (born April 30, 1425 – died September 17, 1482) was an important ruler in what is now Germany. People called him the Brave (which is Wilhelm der Tapfere in German). He was the landgrave of Thuringia starting in 1445. He also claimed the title of duke of Luxemburg from 1457.
William was the second ruler named William in Thuringia. In Luxembourg, he was the third William to hold the title. He was a member of the House of Wettin, a very old and powerful family.
Early Life and Family
William III was a younger son of Frederick I the Warlike. Frederick I was an important ruler known as the Elector of Saxony. William's mother was Catherine of Brunswick and Lunenburg.
On June 2, 1446, William married Anne of Luxembourg. Anne was the daughter of Albert II, who was King of Germany, Bohemia, and Hungary. Because of his marriage to Anne, William became the Duke of Luxembourg. He held this title from 1457 to 1469.
William and Anne had two daughters. Their first daughter was Margaret of Thuringia (1449–1501). Their second daughter was Catherine of Thuringia (1453 – July 10, 1534). Catherine later married Duke Henry II of Münsterberg.
The Judenkopf Groschen Coin
William III had a special silver coin made during his rule. This coin was called the groschen. It became known as the Judenkopf Groschen.
The front side of the coin, called the obverse, showed a picture of a man. This man had a pointed beard and wore a special hat. This hat was known as a Jewish hat. People at the time thought the image looked like a typical Jewish person.
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William III, Landgrave of Thuringia
Born: 30 April 1425 Died: 17 September 1482 |
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| Preceded by Frederick V |
Margrave of Meissen as William III 1445–1464 |
Succeeded by Albert |
| Landgrave of Thuringia as William II 1445–1482 |
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