William IV, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg

William IV (German: Wilhelm) called William the Younger (German: Wilhelm der Jüngere, c. 1425 – 7 July 1503) was duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg and ruled over the Wolfenbüttel and Göttingen principalities.

William IV, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg
Coat-of-arms of: Brunswick, Lüneburg, Eberstein, Homburg.
Bornc. 1425
Died(1503-07-07)7 July 1503
Hardegsen
Noble familyHouse of Guelph
Spouse(s)Elizabeth of Stolberg-Wernigerode
IssueAnne
Henry IV
Eric I
FatherWilliam the Victorious, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg
MotherCecilia of Brandenburg

The eldest son of William the Victorious, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg, he was given the Principality of Göttingen by his father in 1473. In 1482 the father died, and he and his brother Frederick succeeded their father in the remaining parts of his state; however, William had Frederick imprisoned in 1484 and made himself sole ruler. In 1490 he bought the City of Helmstedt from the Abbot of Werden. In 1491, William gave the Principality of Wolfenbüttel including Calenberg to his sons, and kept only Göttingen to himself. In 1495 he resigned as prince of Göttingen in favour of his son Eric I in return for an appanage. William died on 7 July 1503 in Hardegsen.

Family

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William married Elizabeth (c. 1438 – 7 September 1520), daughter of Bodo VII, Count of Stolberg-Wernigerode. They had three children:

  • Anne (1460 – 16 May 1520) married William I, Landgrave of Lower Hesse
  • Henry (24 June 1463 – 23 June 1514)
  • Eric (16 February 1470 – 26 July 1540) married 1: Katharina (1468–1524) Duchess of Saxony; 2: Elisabeth (1510–1558) Duchess of Brandenburg

Ancestors

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References

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William IV, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg
Cadet branch of the House of Este
Born: ca. 1425 Died: 7 July 1503
Regnal titles
Preceded by Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg
Princes of Calenberg
with his brother Frederick III the Turbulent

1473–1483
Succeeded by
Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg
Princes of Göttingen
with his brother Frederick III the Turbulent

1473–1483
Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg
Prince of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel
with his brother Frederick III the Turbulent until 1483

1482–1491
Succeeded by
Preceded by Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg
Prince of Calenberg

1484–1491
Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg
Princes of Göttingen

1484–1495
Succeeded by