Eberhard IV, Count of Württemberg explained

Eberhard IV
Succession:Count of Württemberg
Reign:16May 14172July 1419
Predecessor:Eberhard III
Successor:Ludwig I and Ulrich V
Death Place:Waiblingen, Württemberg
Burial Place:Stiftskirche, Stuttgart
Spouse:Henriette of Montbéliard
House:Württemberg
Father:Eberhard III
Mother:Antonia Visconti

Eberhard IV (2July 1419), called the Younger (German: der Jüngere), was Count of Württemberg from 1417 until his death in 1419.

Life

Eberhard was born around 1388, the only surviving child of Count Eberhard III and his first wife Antonia Visconti, daughter of Bernabò Visconti. On 13 November 1397 he became engaged to Henriette of Mömpelgard. Henriette was the oldest daughter and main heiress of Henry of Mömpelgard, who died in 1396 one year before his father, Count Stephan of Mömpelgard. Their marriage, which occurred in 1407 at the latest, caused the county of Mömpelgard to become part of Württemberg. Eberhard IV also had a child with Agnes von Dagersheim, (Elisabeth von Dagersheim X Conrad Lyher).

Eberhard took active part in management of the state from 1407. Starting 1409 he governed the county of Mömpelgard together with Henriette. After the death of Eberhard III on 16 May 1417, he became the ruler of all of Württemberg. At the time of his death on 2 July 1419, Eberhard's two sons, Ludwig, who would later become Count Ludwig I, and Ulrich, later Count Ulrich V, were only seven and six years old, respectively. A guardianship government of Henriette and up to 32 Württembergian councilors was instituted.

Family and children

Eberhard was married to Henriette, Countess of Montbéliard and they had:

  1. Anna of Württemberg (1408–1471), married Philip I, Count of Katzenelnbogen
  2. Ludwig I of Württemberg (1412 – 24 September 1450, Urach).
  3. Ulrich V of Württemberg (1413 – 1 September 1480, Leonberg).

References

Bibliography