Henry XVI, Duke of Bavaria | |
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Henry XVI, Duke of Bavaria by Anton Boys
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Spouse(s) | Margarete of Austria |
Noble family | House of Wittelsbach |
Father | Frederick, Duke of Bavaria |
Mother | Maddalena Visconti |
Born | 1386 probably Burghausen Castle |
Died | 30 July 1450 Landshut |
Henry XVI of Bavaria (1386 – 30 July 1450, Landshut), (German: Heinrich der Reiche, Herzog von Bayern-Landshut), since 1393 Duke of Bavaria-Landshut. He was a son of duke Frederick and his wife Maddalena Visconti, a daughter of Bernabò Visconti.
Duke Henry XVI was the first of the three famous rich dukes, who reigned Bavaria-Landshut in the 15th century. Their residence was Trausnitz Castle in Landshut, a fortification which attained enormous dimensions. Having inherited not only the black hair but also the despotic temperament of the Visconti, Henry oppressed very cruelly uprisings of the citizenry of Landshut in 1410 and fought successfully against his cousin Louis VII the Bearded, the duke of Bavaria-Ingolstadt. He united Louis’ enemies in the Parakeet Society of 1414 and the League of Constance of 1415.
While the duchy of Bavaria-Straubing was still divided between Bavaria-Ingolstadt, Bavaria-Munich and Bavaria-Landshut after the extinction of the dukes of Straubing in 1429, Henry managed to receive the complete duchy of Bavaria-Ingolstadt in 1447. The pest killed Henry in 1450, he was succeeded by his son Louis IX the Rich.
Henry banished his wife to Burghausen Castle to extend his freedom. His son and grandson took over this tradition.
He was married in Landshut 25 November 1412 to Margarete of Austria, daughter of Duke Albert IV of Austria and Johanna Sophia of Bavaria. Their children were: