Bernard IV, Margrave of Baden-Durlach
Encyclopedia
Bernard IV, Margrave of Baden-Durlach (born: 1517; died: 20 January 1553) was Margrave of Baden-Pforzheim from 26 September 1552 until his death.
with Elisabeth of Brandenburg-Ansbach-Kulmbach.
Like his older brother Albert, Bernard has been attributed a dissolute life, and been described as a wild creature. In 1537, he opposed the proposed division of his father's territory among his father's sons, and in particular against the rights of his half-brother Charles II, arguing that his father's second marriage had been Morganatic
. After his brother Albert died in 1542, his father forgave him his earlier opposition and promised him he would inherit Lower Baden.
In 1540 he acquired the citizenship of the city Basel
. He also owed a debt to the city.
He ruled Lower Baden, with the cities of Pforzheim
and Durlach
from 26 September 1552 until his death, while his half-brother Charles II ruled Upper Baden. However, his rule lasted only a few months, as he died unexpectedly on 20 January 1553. He was buried in the Collegiate Church in Pforzheim.
Life
Bernhard was the second son from the first marriage of Margrave Ernest of Baden-ProfzheimErnest, Margrave of Baden-Durlach
Margrave Ernest I of Baden-Durlach was the founder of the so-called "Ernestine" line of the House of Baden, the from which the later Grand Dukes descended. He was the ruling Margrave of Baden-Pforzheim from 1533 and resided in Pforzheim from 1537...
with Elisabeth of Brandenburg-Ansbach-Kulmbach.
Like his older brother Albert, Bernard has been attributed a dissolute life, and been described as a wild creature. In 1537, he opposed the proposed division of his father's territory among his father's sons, and in particular against the rights of his half-brother Charles II, arguing that his father's second marriage had been Morganatic
Morganatic marriage
In the context of European royalty, a morganatic marriage is a marriage between people of unequal social rank, which prevents the passage of the husband's titles and privileges to the wife and any children born of the marriage...
. After his brother Albert died in 1542, his father forgave him his earlier opposition and promised him he would inherit Lower Baden.
In 1540 he acquired the citizenship of the city Basel
Basel
Basel or Basle In the national languages of Switzerland the city is also known as Bâle , Basilea and Basilea is Switzerland's third most populous city with about 166,000 inhabitants. Located where the Swiss, French and German borders meet, Basel also has suburbs in France and Germany...
. He also owed a debt to the city.
He ruled Lower Baden, with the cities of Pforzheim
Pforzheim
Pforzheim is a town of nearly 119,000 inhabitants in the state of Baden-Württemberg, southwest Germany at the gate to the Black Forest. It is world-famous for its jewelry and watch-making industry. Until 1565 it was the home to the Margraves of Baden. Because of that it gained the nickname...
and Durlach
Durlach
Durlach is a borough of the German city of Karlsruhe with a population of roughly 30,000.-History:Durlach was bestowed by emperor Frederick II on the margrave Hermann V of Zähringen as an allodial possession, but afterwards came into the hands of Rudolph of Habsburg.It was chosen by the margrave...
from 26 September 1552 until his death, while his half-brother Charles II ruled Upper Baden. However, his rule lasted only a few months, as he died unexpectedly on 20 January 1553. He was buried in the Collegiate Church in Pforzheim.