William IV, Duke of Bavaria

William IV (

Political activity

Though William's father, Albert IV, had determined the everlasting succession of the firstborn prince in 1506, his younger brother Louis refused a spiritual career with the argument that he was born before the edict became valid. With support of his mother and the States-General, Louis forced William to accept him as co-regent in 1516. Louis then ruled the districts of Landshut and Straubing, in general in concord with his brother.

William initially sympathized with the

The conflict with Habsburg ended in 1534 when both dukes reached an agreement with Ferdinand I in Linz. William then supported Charles V in his war against the Schmalkaldic League in 1546, but however did not succeed in preserving the Palatine electoral dignity. William's chancellor for 35 years was the forceful Leonhard von Eck.

Cultural activity

On 23 April 1516, before a committee consisting of gentry and knights in Ingolstadt, William issued his famous purity regulation for the brewing of Bavarian Beer, stating that only barley, hops, and water could be used. This regulation remained in force until it was abolished as a binding obligation in 1986 by Paneuropean regulations of the European Union.

In 1523 with the appointment of Ludwig Senfl began the rise of the Bavarian State Orchestra. Of particular importance is the Eckbibel Johann Eck wrote on behalf of William, a biblical translation from 1537, which is theologically directly against Luther and therefore belongs to the Catholic correction bibles. It is also significant in terms of linguistics because it is not written in the East German Saxon, but in Bavarian Upper German.

William was a significant collector and commissioner of art. Among other works he commissioned an important suite of paintings from various artists, including the

.

William died in 1550 in Munich and was succeeded by his son Albert. He is buried in the

Frauenkirche

in Munich.

Family and children

In 1522 William married

Jakobaea of Baden (1507–1580), a daughter of Margrave Philip I of Baden and his consort Princess Elisabeth of Palatinate

; they had four children:

1. Theodor of Bavaria (10 February 1526 – 8 July 1534)
2. Duke Albert V of Bavaria (1528–1579)
3. Wilhelm of Bavaria (17 February 1529 – 22 October 1530)
4. Mechthild of Bavaria (12 July 1532 – 2 November 1565), married in 1557 Philibert of Baden (1536–1569)

Ancestors

Ancestors of William IV, Duke of Bavaria
16. Edward of Portugal 29. Philippa of Lancaster 7. Eleanor of Portugal, Holy Roman Empress 30. Ferdinand I of Aragon 15. Eleonor of Aragon 31. Eleanor of Alburquerque

External links

• Hofkleiderbuch (Abbildung und Beschreibung der Hof-Livreen) des Herzogs Wilhelm IV. und Albrecht V. 1508–1551. (Court and Coat of Arms Book of Bavarian Dukes: William IV and Albert V) at the Bavarian State Library
• 4 Gallican Psalter with Canticles at OPenn

William IV, Duke of Bavaria House of Wittelsbach Born: 13 November 1493 Died: 7 March 1550
Regnal titles
Preceded by Albert IV	Duke of Bavaria 1508–1550	Succeeded by Albert V