Louis IV, Holy Roman Emperor

Louis IV, known as Ludwig der Bayer, was born on April 1, 1282, and ascended to prominence as King of the Romans in 1314. His election was marked by controversy, as he faced opposition from his cousin Frederick the Fair, who was elected by a rival faction of electors. This rivalry culminated in the Battle of Mühldorf in 1322, where Louis emerged victorious, ultimately leading to a reconciliation between the two.

In addition to his role as King of the Romans, Louis IV held several significant titles throughout his life. He was Duke of Upper Bavaria from 1294 to 1301 alongside his brother Rudolf I, and he served as Margrave of Brandenburg until 1323. His influence expanded further when he became Count Palatine of the Rhine until 1329 and later Duke of Lower Bavaria in 1340.

Louis IV's reign was not without challenges. He faced excommunication from Pope John XXII, which led him to attempt to depose the pope and install an anti-pope in his place. Despite these conflicts, he was a pivotal figure in the political landscape of his time, becoming King of Italy in 1327 and Holy Roman Emperor in 1328, a position he held until his death in 1347.

In 1345, Louis IV's marriage to Margaret brought him additional territories, including Hainaut, Holland, Zeeland, and Friesland, further solidifying his power. Notably, he was the last Bavarian to hold the title of King of Germany until 1742, marking a significant chapter in the history of the Holy Roman Empire.