Louis IV the Bavarian

MedievalEmperorHoly Roman Empire1282 — 1347

Wittelsbach emperor who defied the papacy.

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Quick Facts

Born

1282

Died

1347

Country

Holy Roman Empire

Era

Medieval

Occupation

Emperor

Score Overview

Military (10%)48

Political (20%)68

Influence (20%)56

Legacy (20%)49

Leadership (15%)74

Strategy (15%)60

Total Score58.3

Louis IV the Bavarian — Complete Timeline

1314 AD

Election as King of GermanyPolitical Action◆ Major

Louis, Duke of Bavaria, was elected King of Germany by a faction of electors, while Frederick the Fair of Habsburg was elected by another faction. This led to a double election and civil war.

Double ElectionCivil War

Impact: national

1322 AD

Battle of MühldorfWar

Louis IV decisively defeated his rival Frederick the Fair at the Battle of M

BattleCivil War Victory

Impact: national

1324 AD

Conflict with the PapacyPolitical Action◆ Major

Pope John XXII excommunicated Louis IV for exercising imperial authority without papal approval. Louis responded by declaring the pope a heretic and invading Italy, leading to a prolonged conflict between empire and papacy.

ExcommunicationImperial-Papal Conflict

Impact: globaldestructive

1338 AD

Promulgation of the Declaration of RhensePolitical Action

Louis IV issued the Declaration of Rhense, asserting that the German king's authority derived from election by the prince-electors, not papal approval. This strengthened the independence of the German monarchy.

DeclarationElectoral Independence

Impact: nationalconstructive