Albert III, Elector of Brandenburg
Encyclopedia
Prince-elector
The Prince-electors of the Holy Roman Empire were the members of the electoral college of the Holy Roman Empire, having the function of electing the Roman king or, from the middle of the 16th century onwards, directly the Holy Roman Emperor.The heir-apparent to a prince-elector was known as an...
of the Margraviate of Brandenburg
Margraviate of Brandenburg
The Margraviate of Brandenburg was a major principality of the Holy Roman Empire from 1157 to 1806. Also known as the March of Brandenburg , it played a pivotal role in the history of Germany and Central Europe....
. He received the nickname Achilles
Achilles
In Greek mythology, Achilles was a Greek hero of the Trojan War, the central character and the greatest warrior of Homer's Iliad.Plato named Achilles the handsomest of the heroes assembled against Troy....
because of his knight
Knight
A knight was a member of a class of lower nobility in the High Middle Ages.By the Late Middle Ages, the rank had become associated with the ideals of chivalry, a code of conduct for the perfect courtly Christian warrior....
ly qualities. He also ruled the Principality of Ansbach
Principality of Ansbach
The Principality of Ansbach or Brandenburg-Ansbach was a reichsfrei principality in the Holy Roman Empire centered on the Bavarian city of Ansbach...
.
Early life
Albert was born the third son of Elector Frederick IFrederick I, Elector of Brandenburg
Frederick was Burgrave of Nuremberg as Frederick VI and Elector of Brandenburg as Frederick I. He was a son of Burgrave Frederick V of Nuremberg and Elisabeth of Meissen, and was the first member of the House of Hohenzollern to rule the Margraviate of Brandenburg.- Biography :Frederick entered...
in Tangermünde
Tangermünde
Tangermünde is a town in the district of Stendal, in the northeastern part of Saxony-Anhalt, Germany. It is situated on the Elbe river in the Altmark region.-History:Tangermünde can look back at an 1000-year history...
. After passing some time at the court of Emperor Sigismund
Sigismund, Holy Roman Emperor
Sigismund of Luxemburg KG was King of Hungary, of Croatia from 1387 to 1437, of Bohemia from 1419, and Holy Roman Emperor for four years from 1433 until 1437, the last Emperor of the House of Luxemburg. He was also King of Italy from 1431, and of Germany from 1411...
, Albert took part in the war against the Hussites, and afterwards distinguished himself whilst assisting the German king, Albert II
Albert II of Germany
Albert the Magnanimous KG was King of Hungary from 1438 until his death. He was also King of Bohemia, elected King of Germany as Albert II, duke of Luxembourg and, as Albert V, archduke of Austria from 1404.-Biography:Albert was born in Vienna as the son of Albert IV, Duke of Austria, and Johanna...
, against Poland
Kingdom of Poland (1385–1569)
The Kingdom of Poland of the Jagiellons was the Polish state created by the accession of Jogaila , Grand Duke of Lithuania, to the Polish throne in 1386. The Union of Krewo or Krėva Act, united Poland and Lithuania under the rule of a single monarch...
.
Reign
On the division of territory which followed his father's death in 1440, Albert received the Principality of AnsbachPrincipality of Ansbach
The Principality of Ansbach or Brandenburg-Ansbach was a reichsfrei principality in the Holy Roman Empire centered on the Bavarian city of Ansbach...
. Although his resources were meager, he soon took a leading place among the German princes and was especially prominent in resisting the attempts of the towns to obtain self-government.
In 1443, Albert formed a league directed mainly against Nuremberg
Nuremberg
Nuremberg[p] is a city in the German state of Bavaria, in the administrative region of Middle Franconia. Situated on the Pegnitz river and the Rhine–Main–Danube Canal, it is located about north of Munich and is Franconia's largest city. The population is 505,664...
, over which members of his family had formerly exercised the rights of burgrave. It was not until 1448, however, that he found a pretext for attack. After initial military successes in the First Margrave War
First Margrave War
The First Margrave War from 1449–50 was the result of disputes between the Imperial City of Nuremberg and Albert III Achilles, margrave of Brandenburg-Ansbach. Numerous towns in Franconia in modern Germany were badly affected by the war....
, he was defeated at the Battle of Pillenreuther Weiher, resulting in the Treaty of Bamberg (22 June 1450),which forced Albert to return all of the conquered territory and to recognize the independence of Nuremberg and its associated towns.
Albert supported Holy Roman Emperor
Holy Roman Emperor
The Holy Roman Emperor is a term used by historians to denote a medieval ruler who, as German King, had also received the title of "Emperor of the Romans" from the Pope...
Frederick III
Frederick III, Holy Roman Emperor
Frederick the Peaceful KG was Duke of Austria as Frederick V from 1424, the successor of Albert II as German King as Frederick IV from 1440, and Holy Roman Emperor as Frederick III from 1452...
in his struggle with the princes who desired reforms in the Holy Roman Empire
Holy Roman Empire
The Holy Roman Empire was a realm that existed from 962 to 1806 in Central Europe.It was ruled by the Holy Roman Emperor. Its character changed during the Middle Ages and the Early Modern period, when the power of the emperor gradually weakened in favour of the princes...
, and in return for this loyalty received many marks of favour from Frederick, including extensive judicial rights which aroused considerable irritation among neighbouring rulers.
In 1457, Albert arranged a marriage between his eldest son John, and Margaret, daughter of William III
William III, Duke of Luxembourg
William III of Luxembourg , called the Brave , was Landgrave of Thuringia and Duke of Luxemburg...
, Landgrave of Thuringia
Thuringia
The Free State of Thuringia is a state of Germany, located in the central part of the country.It has an area of and 2.29 million inhabitants, making it the sixth smallest by area and the fifth smallest by population of Germany's sixteen states....
, who inherited the claims upon Hungary
Kingdom of Hungary
The Kingdom of Hungary comprised present-day Hungary, Slovakia and Croatia , Transylvania , Carpatho Ruthenia , Vojvodina , Burgenland , and other smaller territories surrounding present-day Hungary's borders...
and Bohemia
Bohemia
Bohemia is a historical region in central Europe, occupying the western two-thirds of the traditional Czech Lands. It is located in the contemporary Czech Republic with its capital in Prague...
of her mother, a granddaughter of Emperor Sigismund. The attempt to secure these thrones for the Hohenzollerns through this marriage failed, and a similar fate befell Albert's efforts to revive in his own favour the disused title of duke of Franconia
Franconia
Franconia is a region of Germany comprising the northern parts of the modern state of Bavaria, a small part of southern Thuringia, and a region in northeastern Baden-Württemberg called Tauberfranken...
.
The sharp dissensions which existed among the princes over the question of reform culminated in open warfare in 1460, when Albert was confronted with a league under the leadership of the Count Palatine, Frederick I, and Louis IX, Duke of Bavaria-Landshut
Louis IX, Duke of Bavaria
Louis IX , was Duke of Bavaria-Landshut from 1450. He was a son of Henry XVI the Rich and Margaret of Austria.-Biography:Louis succeeded his father in 1450...
. Defeated in this struggle, which was concluded in 1462, Albert made an alliance with his former enemy, George of Poděbrady
George of Podebrady
George of Kunštát and Poděbrady , also known as Poděbrad or Podiebrad , was King of Bohemia...
, King of Bohemia, a step which caused Pope Paul II
Pope Paul II
Pope Paul II , born Pietro Barbo, was pope from 1464 until his death in 1471.- Early life :He was born in Venice, and was a nephew of Pope Eugene IV , through his mother. His adoption of the spiritual career, after having been trained as a merchant, was prompted by his uncle's election as pope...
to place him under the ban.
In 1470, Albert, who had inherited Bayreuth
Principality of Bayreuth
The Principality of Bayreuth or Brandenburg-Bayreuth was a reichsfrei principality in the Holy Roman Empire centered on the Bavarian city of Bayreuth. Until 1604 its capital city was Kulmbach; then the margraves used their palaces in Bayreuth as their residence...
on the death of his brother John in 1464, became Margrave of Brandenburg, owing to the abdication of his remaining brother, Elector Frederick II. He was soon actively engaged in its administration, and by the Treaty of Prenzlau
Treaty of Prenzlau
Treaty of Prenzlau or Peace of Prenzlau may refer to several treaties during a series of wars between the Margraviate of Brandenburg and the Duchy of Pomerania fought for control of Pomerania-Stettin, and possession of the Uckermark in the 15th century...
in 1472 he brought Pomerania
Pomerania
Pomerania is a historical region on the south shore of the Baltic Sea. Divided between Germany and Poland, it stretches roughly from the Recknitz River near Stralsund in the West, via the Oder River delta near Szczecin, to the mouth of the Vistula River near Gdańsk in the East...
also under his supremacy. Having established his right to levy a tonnage on wines in the mark, he issued in February 1473 the Dispositio Achillea
Dispositio Achillea
The Dispositio Achillea , was the disposition of the territories of Elector Albert III Achilles of Brandenburg as regulated in his last will and testament of 1473....
, which decreed that the Margraviate of Brandenburg should descend in its entirety to the eldest son, while the younger sons should receive the Franconian possessions of the family.
Mary of Burgundy
Mary of Burgundy ruled the Burgundian territories in Low Countries and was suo jure Duchess of Burgundy from 1477 until her death...
, daughter and heiress of Charles the Bold
Charles I, Duke of Burgundy
Charles the Bold , baptised Charles Martin, was Duke of Burgundy from 1467 to 1477...
, Duke of Burgundy
Duke of Burgundy
Duke of Burgundy was a title borne by the rulers of the Duchy of Burgundy, a small portion of traditional lands of Burgundians west of river Saône which in 843 was allotted to Charles the Bald's kingdom of West Franks...
, Albert handed over the government of Brandenburg to his eldest son John
John, Elector of Brandenburg
John II Cicero of Brandenburg was a Prince-elector of the Margraviate of Brandenburg . After his death he received the cognomen Cicero, after the Roman orator Cicero, but the elector's eloquence and interest in the arts is doubtful....
, and returned to his Franconian possessions.
Albert's main attention afterwards was claimed by the business of the empire. Soon after taking part in the election of Maximilian
Maximilian I, Holy Roman Emperor
Maximilian I , the son of Frederick III, Holy Roman Emperor and Eleanor of Portugal, was King of the Romans from 1486 and Holy Roman Emperor from 1493 until his death, though he was never in fact crowned by the Pope, the journey to Rome always being too risky...
as King of the Romans
King of the Romans
King of the Romans was the title used by the ruler of the Holy Roman Empire following his election to the office by the princes of the Kingdom of Germany...
, Albert died at Frankfurt in March 1486. He left a considerable amount of treasure.
Dynastic marriages of his children
In 1474, Albert married his daughter BarbaraBarbara of Brandenburg
Barbara of Brandenburg was born in Ansbach and was the fourth of thirteen children born to Albrecht III, Elector of Brandenburg and his second wife, Anna of Saxony.-Biography:...
to Duke Henry XI of Głogów, who left his possessions on his death in 1476 to his widow with reversion to her family, an arrangement which was resisted by Henry's kinsman, Duke Jan II of Żagań
Jan II the Mad
Jan II the Mad also known as the Bad, the Wild or the Cruel , was a Duke of Żagań-Przewóz since 1439 , from 1449 Duke of Przewóz , during 1461-1468 and briefly in 1472 Duke of Żagań and during 1476-1488 Duke of half-Głogów .He was the fourth and...
. Aided by King Matthias Corvinus of Hungary
Matthias Corvinus of Hungary
Matthias Corvinus , also called the Just in folk tales, was King of Hungary and Croatia from 1458, at the age of 14 until his death...
, Jan of Żagań invaded Brandenburg, and the Pomeranians seized the opportunity to revolt. Under these circumstances Albert returned to Brandenburg in 1478, compelled the Pomeranians to recognize his supremacy, and, after a stubborn struggle, secured a part of Duke Henry's lands for his daughter in 1482.
Family and children
Albert was married twice. First, he married 12 November 1446 Margaret of BadenMargaret of Baden
Margaret of Baden was a Margravine of Baden by birth and by marriage Margravine of Brandenburg-Ansbach and Brandenburg-Kulmbach. She was the daughter of Jacob, Margrave of Baden-Baden, and his wife Catherine of Lorraine....
, daughter of Markgrave Jakob I of Baden
Jacob, Margrave of Baden-Baden
Jacob I of Baden , was Margrave of Baden-Baden from 1431 to 1453.He was the elder son of Bernard I, Margrave of Baden-Baden and Anna von Oettingen. Jacob I was a man of deep religious beliefs, well-known as a founder of churches...
and Catherine of Lorraine. From this marriage he had following children:
- Wolfgang, born and died in 1450.
- John Cicero, Elector of Brandenburg.
- Friedrich, died young.
- Ursula (25 September 1450–25 October 1508, Breslau), married Duke Henry I, Duke of Münsterberg-OelsHenry I, Duke of Münsterberg-OelsHenry the Elder of Münsterberg was an Imperial Count and Count of Kladsko. He was also Duke of Silesian duchies Münsterberg and Oels and 1465–1472 Duke of Opava...
. - ElisabethElisabeth of Brandenburg (1451-1524)Elizabeth of Brandenburg-Ansbach was a princess of Brandenburg by birth and by marriage Duchess of Württemberg.- Life :...
, (29 October 1451, Ansbach–28 March 1524, NürtingenNürtingenNürtingen is a town in the district of Esslingen in Baden-Württemberg in southern Germany. It is located on the river Neckar.-History:The following events occurred, by year:*1046 : First mention of Niuritingin in the document of Speyer...
), married Eberhard II, Duke of WürttembergEberhard II, Duke of WürttembergEberhard VI/II was count of Württemberg-Stuttgart since 1480 as Eberhard VI and Duke Eberhard II of Württemberg since 1496....
. - MargaretaMargaret of Brandenburg (1453-1509)Margaret of Brandenburg was a princess of Brandenburg by birth and abbess of the Poor Clares monastery at Hof from 1476 to 1490.- Life :...
(18 April 1453–27 April 1509), abbess of the Poor Clares convent at Hof.
Margarete died 24 October 1457 and in 1458 Albert married Anna, daughter of Frederick II, Elector of Saxony
Frederick II, Elector of Saxony
Frederick II was Elector of Saxony and was Landgrave of Thuringia .-Biography:...
and Margarete of Austria. Their children were:
- Frederick IFrederick I, Margrave of Brandenburg-AnsbachFrederick I of Ansbach and Bayreuth was born at Ansbach as the eldest son of the Albert III, Margrave of Brandenburg by his second wife Anna, daughter of Frederick II, Elector of Saxony. His elder half-brother was the Elector Johann Cicero of Brandenburg...
, Margrave in Ansbach since 1486 and Bayreuth since 1495. - AmalieAmalie of BrandenburgAmalie of Brandenburg was Princess of Brandenburg by birth and by marriage Countess Palatine and Duchess of Zweibrücken and Veldenz.- Life :...
(1 October 1461, PlassenburgPlassenburgPlassenburg is a castle in the city of Kulmbach in Bavaria. It is one of the most impressive castles in Germany and a symbol of the city. It was first mentioned in 1135. The Plassenberg family were ministerial of the counts of Andechs and used as their seat the Plassenburg...
–3 September 1481, Baden-BadenBaden-BadenBaden-Baden is a spa town in Baden-Württemberg, Germany. It is located on the western foothills of the Black Forest, on the banks of the Oos River, in the region of Karlsruhe...
), married KasparKaspar, Count Palatine of ZweibrückenKaspar, Count Palatine of Zweibrücken and Veldenz was Duke of Zweibrücken from 1489 to 1490. He was the son of Louis I, Count Palatine of Zweibrücken and Johanna of Croÿ. In 1478 in Zweibrücken he married Amalie of Brandenburg , daughter of Albert III Achilles, Elector of Brandenburg. Amalie...
, Count Palatine of ZweibrückenZweibrückenZweibrücken is a city in Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany, on the Schwarzbach river.- Name :Zweibrücken appears in Latin texts as Geminus Pons and Bipontum, in French texts as Deux-Ponts. The name derives from Middle High German Zweinbrücken...
. - Anna, born and died in 1462.
- BarbaraBarbara of BrandenburgBarbara of Brandenburg was born in Ansbach and was the fourth of thirteen children born to Albrecht III, Elector of Brandenburg and his second wife, Anna of Saxony.-Biography:...
(30 May 1464, Ansbach–4 September 1515, Ansbach), married:- in Berlin 11 October 1472 to Duke Henry XI of Głogów;
- in Frankfurt (Oder)Frankfurt (Oder)Frankfurt is a town in Brandenburg, Germany, located on the Oder River, on the German-Polish border directly opposite the town of Słubice which was a part of Frankfurt until 1945. At the end of the 1980s it reached a population peak with more than 87,000 inhabitants...
20 August 1476 to King Ladislaus II of Bohemia and Hungary.
- Albrecht, born and died in 1466.
- SibylleSibylle of BrandenburgSibylle of Brandenburg was a Princess of Brandenburg by birth and by marriage Duchess of Jülich and Duchess of Berg.- Life :...
(31 May 1467, Ansbach–9 July 1524, KasterKasterKaster is a village in West Flanders, Belgium. According to the 2005 census it has a population of 803. The neoclassical St Peter's Church of Kaster, located in the eastern part of the village, dates from 1818.-Geography:...
), married Duke Wilhelm IV of Jülich and Berg. - SiegmundSiegmund, Margrave of BayreuthSiegmund of Brandenburg-Bayreuth was the sixth but third surviving son of Albrecht III, Margrave of Brandenburg, Ansbach and Bayreuth. On the death of his father on 11 March 1486, his elder brothers Johann Cicero and Friedrich succeeded to Brandenburg and Ansbach respectively, and Siegmund...
, Margrave in Bayreuth, (27 September 1468, Ansbach–26 February 1495, Ansbach). - Albrecht, born and died in 1470.
- Georg (30 December 1472, Berlin – 5 December 1476, Kadolzburg).
- Dorothea (12 December 1471, Berlin–13 February 1520, BambergBambergBamberg is a city in Bavaria, Germany. It is located in Upper Franconia on the river Regnitz, close to its confluence with the river Main. Bamberg is one of the few cities in Germany that was not destroyed by World War II bombings because of a nearby Artillery Factory that prevented planes from...
), Abbess in Bamberg. - Elisabeth (8 April 1474, Ansbach–25 April 1507, RömhildRömhildRömhild is a municipality in the district of Hildburghausen, in Thuringia, Germany. It is situated 14 km west of Hildburghausen, and 21 km southeast of Meiningen.In the Stadtkirche of Römhild is the tomb of Elisabeth and Hermann VIII of Henneberg...
), married Count Hermann VIII of Henneberg-Aschach (1470-1535) - Magdalene (29 July 1476, Berlin–before 4 February 1480).
- Anastasia (14 March 1478, Ansbach–4 July 1534, IlmenauIlmenauIlmenau is a town located in the district of Ilm-Kreis, Thuringia, Germany.Ilmenau is situated in the valley of the Ilm river, at an altitude of 431 metres above sea level, and is the biggest town in Ilm-Kreis district, with 6,200 students studying at the Technische Universität Ilmenau. The...
), married Count William IV of Henneberg-Schleusingen (1478-1559)