2021-04-01 Thu

Louis IV called the Bavarian, of the house of Wittelsbach, was King of the Romans from 1314, King of Italy from 1327, and Holy Roman Emperor from 1328.

His reign was marked by incessant diplomatic and military struggles to defend the right of the empire to elect an emperor independently of the papacy, consolidate his own position, and improve the status of his family.

Louis' election as king of Germany in 1314 was controversial, as his Habsburg cousin, Frederick the Fair was simultaneously elected king by a separate set of electors. Louis defeated Frederick in battle in 1322, and the two eventually reconciled. Louis was opposed and excommunicated by the French Pope John XXII; Louis, in turn, attempted to depose the pope and install an anti-pope.

Depicted here is a gold Gulden of Lubeck issued under his reign.

Image Source: Wikipedia.org