Ulrich III, Count of Württemberg

Ulrich III (1286/1291 – 11 July 1344) was Count of Württemberg from 1325 until his death in 1344.[1][2][3]

Ulrich III
Statue by Sem Schlör [de] in the Stuttgart Stiftskirche, 1574–1586
Count of Württemberg
Reign1325 – 11 July 1344
PredecessorEberhard I
SuccessorsEberhard II and Ulrich IV
Born1286–1291
Died11 July 1344 (aged 52–57)
Alsace
Burial
Stiftskirche, Stuttgart
SpouseSophie of Pfirt
IssueEberhard II
Ulrich IV
HouseWürttemberg
FatherEberhard I

Life edit

Ulrich was born between 1286 and 1291 to Count Eberhard I and an uncertain mother, either Margarethe of Lorraine (died before 1296) or Irmengard of Baden (died after 1320).[4] He was already strongly involved in the administration of Württemberg during the reign of his father. For example, in 1319 he negotiated a treaty with King Frederick the Fair. He renewed this treaty after becoming count in 1325, when Württemberg had temporarily joined sides with Louis IV. Both Louis and Frederick claimed power in the Holy Roman Empire at this time. After their reconciliation it was possible for Ulrich to be bound closely to the Holy Roman Empire, even after the death of Frederick I. This and his regional policy of pacts and acquisitions helped strongly to enlarge Württemberg's territory substantially. Besides several gains in Alsace, the purchase of Markgröningen in 1336 and Tübingen in 1342 are notable.

Ulrich died in Alsace on 11 July 1344 and was later buried in the Stiftskirche of Stuttgart.[4]

Marriage and children edit

Ulrich was married to Sophie of Pfirt. Sons from this marriage were Eberhard II and Ulrich IV, who ruled together with his brother until 1361.

References edit

Citations edit

  1. ^ Killy, Walther; Vierhaus, Rudolf, eds. (2006). "Ulrich III, Count of Württemberg". Dictionary of German Biography (DGB). Vol. 10, Thibaut–Zycha. Munich: K. G. Saur. p. 150.
  2. ^ Morby, John E. (2002). Dynasties of the World: A Chronological and Genealogical Handbook. Oxford University Press. p. 142. Retrieved 5 March 2024.
  3. ^ Schöntag, Wilfried (2016). "Ulrich III.". Neue Deutsche Biographie (in German). Vol. 26 (Online ed.). pp. 596–597. Retrieved 6 March 2024.
  4. ^ a b Sönke et al. 1997, pp. 29–30, "Württemberg, Ulrich III., Graf ".

Bibliography edit

External links edit

Ulrich III, Count of Württemberg
 Died: 11 July 1344
German nobility
Preceded by Count of Württemberg
1325–1344
Succeeded by