Niclas, Graf von Abensberg

Niclas, Graf von Abensberg (1441 – 28 February 1485) was a knight and nobleman under the reign of Louis IX, Duke of Bavaria-Landshut.

Originating from an old family of considerable means, Niclas came as a young man to the Court of Louis IX in Landshut. He excelled in the battle of Singen in 1462 and participated in most tournaments. He was assigned the tenures of Graisbach, Riedenburg and Kehlheim.

In the dispute among the sons of Albert III, Duke of Bavaria-Munich, Niclas took side for the elder son Duke Albert IV and arrested the younger Duke Christof while he was bathing. The quarrel was settled, but reemerged fourteen years later. Once more, Niclas led the troops of Albrecht IV, conquering Päl, Weilheim and Landsberg without meeting resistance. However as Niclas and the other noblemen returned home, they were ambushed by Duke Christof. Niclas was dismounted from his saddle and surrendered, but was stabbed by a varlet and died.

As Niclas was childless, he was the last of the family of von Abensberg.

Notes

Regarding personal names: Graf was a title until 1919, translated as Count, not a first or middle name. The female form is Gräfin. In Germany, however, since 1919 Graf/Gräfin is no title any more but part of the surname and thus following the given name(s) and not to be translated.

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