Bernard IV, Margrave of Baden-Durlach

Bernard IV, Margrave of Baden-Durlach^[1] (born: 1517; died: 20 January 1553) was Margrave of Baden-Pforzheim from 26 September 1552 until his death.

Life

Bernhard was the second son from the first marriage of Margrave Ernest of Baden-Profzheim 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.

See also

• List of rulers of Baden

References

• Johann Christian Sachs: Einleitung in die Geschichte der Marggravschaft und des marggrävlichen altfürstlichen Hauses Baden, Karlsruhe, 1764–1770, vol. 4, p. 73 - 75

Footnotes

1. ↑ In his days, the territory was called Baden-Pforzheim, after its capital. The name changed when the capital moved to Durlach in 1565