Berchtold V, Duke of Zähringen
| Berthold V, Duke of Zähringen | |
|---|---|
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| Duke of Zähringen | |
| Reign | 1186 – 18 February 1218 |
| Predecessor | Berthold IV |
| Successor | Lands divided between Kyburg and Urach; Bern became a free imperial city. |
| Born | 1160 |
| Died | 18 February 1218 (aged 57–58) Freiburg im Breisgau |
| Burial | Freiburg Minster, Freiburg im Breisgau |
| Issue | Died without issue |
| House | House of Zähringen |
| Father | Berthold IV |
| Mother | Heilwig of Frohburg |
| Religion | Roman Catholic |
Berthold V (1160 – 18 February 1218 in Freiburg im Breisgau), also known as Bertold V or Berchtold V, was Duke of Zähringen until his death, succeeding his father Berthold IV in 1186.
At the beginning of his reign, he reduced the power of the Burgundian nobles and settled the Bernese Oberland and the area of Lucerne. As a result, he enlarged Thun and founded Bern in 1191, which became the focus of his expansionism. At the battle of Ulrichen in 1211, however, he failed to gain access to the Valais.
Following the death of the Holy Roman Emperor Henry VI in 1198, he was one of the candidates in the Imperial election. He offered his nephews as hostages to the Archbishops of Cologne and Trier to gain their support. However, when he discovered that a majority had elected the Hohenstaufen Philip of Swabia (antiking to Welf Emperor Otto IV of Brunswick) he renounced his claim. In exchange for this renunciation, Berthold gained territorial concessions in what is now southern Germany and northern Switzerland, consolidating Zähringer hold over the Ortenau, the Breisgau, Schaffhausen, Breisach and All Saints' Abbey. In 1198 Philip also paid Berthold 3,000 silver Marks for renouncing his claims.
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