Philip III, Count of Hanau-Lichtenberg
Encyclopedia
Philip III of Hanau-Lichtenberg (18 October 1482 – 15 May 1538, Bouxwiller
) was the third Count of Hanau-Lichtenberg.
During the Landshut War of Succession
(1503–1505) between Bavaria
and the Electoral Palatinate, Philip's father had remained neutral. Philip, however, had sided with the Palatinate and against his father. The Palatinate side lost the war and an imperial ban was issued by the King of the Romans
and later Emperor, Maximilian I
, against their leaders, who were accused of breaching the peace. Landgrave William II
of Hesse was tasked with enforcing this ban. He destroyed the rural district of Babenhausen
before Philip II managed, with Maximilian I's help, and the fact that Babenhausen, as a Bohemian
fief, indirectly belonged to the Habsburg family, to curb the campaign against his possessions. Nevertheless, Maximilian I resented Philip III for having fought on the losing side.
, Count Philip III was under an imperial ban when he succeeded his father in 1504. The final settlement of the war at the Diet of Cologne in 1505 required him to assign his half share in the condominium
of Groß-Umstadt
and Otzberg Castle to the Landgraviate of Hesse
, as compensation for Hesse's war costs. After this settlement, the situation calmed down and the imperial ban was lifted. In 1506, he was again enfeoffed with the district of Babenhausen
by King Maximilian I of Bohemia and he was even appointed as an imperial councillor. Nearly two decades later, in 1521, he was partly compensated by Hesse and the Palatinate for his losses after the Landshut War of Succession, with Kleestadt and Langstadt and cash payment of . So in the end, his losses were not that big.
Philip III had to share his inheritance with his younger brothers Louis and Reinhard. They decided not to divide the county. In 1513, Louis received the district of Buchsweiler, but he later swapped it for an annual pension of 500 florins plus the right to use the Hanau-Lichtenberg Court in Strasbourg
. Some territory was assigned to Reinhard, but this fell back to Philip III when Reinhard died.
After long negotiations, Philip reached an agreement with his relatives of the House of Zweibrücken-Bitsch. The condominiums of Willstätt
and Brumath
were divided, with Hanau-Lichtenberg receiving Willstätt and Zweibrücken-Bitsch receiving Brumath.
The Peasants' War
war also happened during Philip's reign. On behalf of the Palatinate, he fought against farmers in the Hettgau region, including his own subjects. At the same time, he took advantage of the unrest and invaded the monastery at Neuwiller-lès-Saverne
and plundered it. The situation slipped out of his control and on 6 May 1525, farmers looted his castle in Bouxwiller. He had to call in Duke Antoine
of Lorraine for help. Antoine defeated the peasants and he 18 municipalities of the Buchsweiler district submitted themselves to Philip III again. They were sentenced to heavy fines and had to swear a new oath of alligiance. They also had to abandon their weapons and gatherings were banned.
Philip III was not squeamish. For example, Albrecht von Berwangen, one of his officials, had gone on strike, because his salary had not been paid. Philip had killed Albrecht and had to answer to murder charges before both the Aulic Council
and the Reichskammergericht
. He pleaded self-defense & mdash; not very credible because of the mangled condition of the corpse. Philip was sentenced to a fine of 500 florins. The victim's brother felt that that was not enough. He declared a feud
on Philip and allied himself with Franz von Sickingen
. Together, they looted the Hanau-Lichtenberg village of Duntzenheim
.
Philip also had a never-ending series of disputes with the City of Strasbourg, due to their conflicting economic, religious and political interests.
He participated in the diets of Worms
in 1521, Speyer
in 1526 and Regensburg
in 1532. He was imperial councillor under Maximilian I
and Charles V
and also Councillor to Archduke Ferdinand I
, the Elector Palatine and the Duke of Württemberg
.
In 1528 he founded a hospital in Buchsweiler. He also created an "endowment fund" to finance the hospital. This fund developed over the years in the largest bank
in the county.
slowly took hold in the County of Hanau-Lichtenberg from 1525 onwards. For example, the practice of Seelenamt was banned. On the other hand, Johannes Anglicus, who spread the new doctrine in the county, was sent into exile. Philip III proceeded very carefully on this matter, because of the political consequences. Factors he was taking tino account included the revolutionary ideas that had been spreak among the peasants, his foreign policy, in particular with regard to the neighbouring Archbishopric of Mainz
, his aversion to the bourgeois, Protestant Strasbourg and his wife, who was devoted uncompromisingly to the Catholic faith.
.
Philip III died on 15 May 1538 in Buchsweiler and was buried in the family crypt in the St. Nicholas Church in Babenhausen
. His grave stone can still be seen in the church and a funeral shiled is on display in the Palace Museum Darmstadt.
with Margravine Sibylle of Baden (born: 26 April 1485; died: 10 July 1518), daughter of the Margrave Christopher I
of Baden-Sponheim. She brought a dowry of 5000 florin
into the marriage. They had six children:
Bouxwiller, Bas-Rhin
Bouxwiller is a commune in the Bas-Rhin department in Alsace in north-eastern France.Among the city's sight is the Musée Judéo-Alsacien, dedicated to the History of Jews in Alsace, and located in the former synagogue.-References:*...
) was the third Count of Hanau-Lichtenberg.
Childhood and Youth
Philip III was the eldest son of Count Philip II of Hanau-Lichtenberg and his wife Anna of Isenburg-Büdingen.During the Landshut War of Succession
Landshut War of Succession
The Landshut War of Succession resulted from an agreement between the duchies of Bavaria-Munich and Bavaria-Landshut . The agreement concerned the law of succession when one of the two Dukes should die without a male heir...
(1503–1505) between Bavaria
Bavaria
Bavaria, formally the Free State of Bavaria is a state of Germany, located in the southeast of Germany. With an area of , it is the largest state by area, forming almost 20% of the total land area of Germany...
and the Electoral Palatinate, Philip's father had remained neutral. Philip, however, had sided with the Palatinate and against his father. The Palatinate side lost the war and an imperial ban was issued by the 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...
and later Emperor, Maximilian I
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...
, against their leaders, who were accused of breaching the peace. Landgrave William II
William II, Landgrave of Hesse
William II was Landgrave of Lower Hesse from 1493 and Landgrave of Upper Hesse after the death of his cousin, William III, Landgrave of Upper Hesse in 1500....
of Hesse was tasked with enforcing this ban. He destroyed the rural district of Babenhausen
Babenhausen
Babenhausen is a town in the Darmstadt-Dieburg district, in Hesse, Germany.-Geography:It is situated on the river Gersprenz, 25 km southeast of Frankfurt, and 14 km west of Aschaffenburg. South of its general borders, the mountain range of the Odenwald is situated about 15 km away...
before Philip II managed, with Maximilian I's help, and the fact that Babenhausen, as a Bohemian
Bohemian
A Bohemian is a resident of the former Kingdom of Bohemia, either in a narrow sense as the region of Bohemia proper or in a wider meaning as the whole country, now known as the Czech Republic. The word "Bohemian" was used to denote the Czech people as well as the Czech language before the word...
fief, indirectly belonged to the Habsburg family, to curb the campaign against his possessions. Nevertheless, Maximilian I resented Philip III for having fought on the losing side.
Government
Due to his siding with the Palatinate during the Landshut War of SuccessionLandshut War of Succession
The Landshut War of Succession resulted from an agreement between the duchies of Bavaria-Munich and Bavaria-Landshut . The agreement concerned the law of succession when one of the two Dukes should die without a male heir...
, Count Philip III was under an imperial ban when he succeeded his father in 1504. The final settlement of the war at the Diet of Cologne in 1505 required him to assign his half share in the condominium
Condominium
A condominium, or condo, is the form of housing tenure and other real property where a specified part of a piece of real estate is individually owned while use of and access to common facilities in the piece such as hallways, heating system, elevators, exterior areas is executed under legal rights...
of Groß-Umstadt
Groß-Umstadt
Groß-Umstadt is a town in the district of Darmstadt-Dieburg in the Bundesland of Hesse in Germany. It is near Darmstadt and Frankfurt on the northern border of the Odenwald and is on the edge of the Frankfurt Rhein-Main Region. The highest point of the town is the Heidelberg .The population is...
and Otzberg Castle to the Landgraviate of Hesse
Landgraviate of Hesse
The Landgraviate of Hesse was a Landgraviate of the Holy Roman Empire. It existed as a unity from 1264 to 1567, when it was divided between the sons of Philip I, Landgrave of Hesse.-History:...
, as compensation for Hesse's war costs. After this settlement, the situation calmed down and the imperial ban was lifted. In 1506, he was again enfeoffed with the district of Babenhausen
Babenhausen
Babenhausen is a town in the Darmstadt-Dieburg district, in Hesse, Germany.-Geography:It is situated on the river Gersprenz, 25 km southeast of Frankfurt, and 14 km west of Aschaffenburg. South of its general borders, the mountain range of the Odenwald is situated about 15 km away...
by King Maximilian I of Bohemia and he was even appointed as an imperial councillor. Nearly two decades later, in 1521, he was partly compensated by Hesse and the Palatinate for his losses after the Landshut War of Succession, with Kleestadt and Langstadt and cash payment of . So in the end, his losses were not that big.
Philip III had to share his inheritance with his younger brothers Louis and Reinhard. They decided not to divide the county. In 1513, Louis received the district of Buchsweiler, but he later swapped it for an annual pension of 500 florins plus the right to use the Hanau-Lichtenberg Court in Strasbourg
Strasbourg
Strasbourg is the capital and principal city of the Alsace region in eastern France and is the official seat of the European Parliament. Located close to the border with Germany, it is the capital of the Bas-Rhin département. The city and the region of Alsace are historically German-speaking,...
. Some territory was assigned to Reinhard, but this fell back to Philip III when Reinhard died.
After long negotiations, Philip reached an agreement with his relatives of the House of Zweibrücken-Bitsch. The condominiums of Willstätt
Willstätt
Willstätt is a town in the district of Ortenau in Baden-Württemberg in Germany....
and Brumath
Brumath
Brumath, also Brumpt, is a commune in the Bas-Rhin department in Alsace in north-eastern France.-History:Brumath occupies the site of the Roman Brocomagus....
were divided, with Hanau-Lichtenberg receiving Willstätt and Zweibrücken-Bitsch receiving Brumath.
The Peasants' War
Peasants' War
The Peasants' War was a popular revolt that took place in Europe during 1524–1525...
war also happened during Philip's reign. On behalf of the Palatinate, he fought against farmers in the Hettgau region, including his own subjects. At the same time, he took advantage of the unrest and invaded the monastery at Neuwiller-lès-Saverne
Neuwiller-lès-Saverne
Neuwiller-lès-Saverne is a commune in the Bas-Rhin department in Alsace in north-eastern France.-References:*...
and plundered it. The situation slipped out of his control and on 6 May 1525, farmers looted his castle in Bouxwiller. He had to call in Duke Antoine
Antoine, Duke of Lorraine
Antoine , known as the Good, was Duke of Lorraine from 1508 until his death in 1544.-Biography:Antoine was born at Bar-le-Duc, the son of René II, Duke of Lorraine and Philippa of Guelders...
of Lorraine for help. Antoine defeated the peasants and he 18 municipalities of the Buchsweiler district submitted themselves to Philip III again. They were sentenced to heavy fines and had to swear a new oath of alligiance. They also had to abandon their weapons and gatherings were banned.
Philip III was not squeamish. For example, Albrecht von Berwangen, one of his officials, had gone on strike, because his salary had not been paid. Philip had killed Albrecht and had to answer to murder charges before both the Aulic Council
Aulic Council
The Aulic Council was originally an executive-judicial council for the Holy Roman Empire....
and the Reichskammergericht
Reichskammergericht
The Reichskammergericht or Imperial Chamber Court was one of two highest judicial institutions in the Holy Roman Empire, the other one being the Aulic Council in Vienna. It was founded in 1495 by the Imperial Diet in Worms...
. He pleaded self-defense & mdash; not very credible because of the mangled condition of the corpse. Philip was sentenced to a fine of 500 florins. The victim's brother felt that that was not enough. He declared a feud
Feud
A feud , referred to in more extreme cases as a blood feud, vendetta, faida, or private war, is a long-running argument or fight between parties—often groups of people, especially families or clans. Feuds begin because one party perceives itself to have been attacked, insulted or wronged by another...
on Philip and allied himself with Franz von Sickingen
Franz von Sickingen
Franz von Sickingen was a German knight, one of the most notable figures of the first period of the Reformation.-Biography:He was born at Ebernburg near Bad Kreuznach...
. Together, they looted the Hanau-Lichtenberg village of Duntzenheim
Duntzenheim
Duntzenheim is a commune in the Bas-Rhin department in Alsace in north-eastern France.-References:*...
.
Philip also had a never-ending series of disputes with the City of Strasbourg, due to their conflicting economic, religious and political interests.
He participated in the diets of Worms
Diet of Worms
The Diet of Worms 1521 was a diet that took place in Worms, Germany, and is most memorable for the Edict of Worms , which addressed Martin Luther and the effects of the Protestant Reformation.It was conducted from 28 January to 25 May 1521, with Emperor Charles V presiding.Other Imperial diets at...
in 1521, Speyer
First Diet of Speyer
The Diet of Speyer or the Diet of Spires was a diet of the Holy Roman Empire in 1526 in the Imperial City of Speyer . The diet's ambiguous edict resulted in a temporary suspension of the Edict of Worms and aided the expansion of Protestantism...
in 1526 and Regensburg
Regensburg
Regensburg is a city in Bavaria, Germany, located at the confluence of the Danube and Regen rivers, at the northernmost bend in the Danube. To the east lies the Bavarian Forest. Regensburg is the capital of the Bavarian administrative region Upper Palatinate...
in 1532. He was imperial councillor under Maximilian I
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...
and Charles V
Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor
Charles V was ruler of the Holy Roman Empire from 1519 and, as Charles I, of the Spanish Empire from 1516 until his voluntary retirement and abdication in favor of his younger brother Ferdinand I and his son Philip II in 1556.As...
and also Councillor to Archduke Ferdinand I
Ferdinand I, Holy Roman Emperor
Ferdinand I was Holy Roman Emperor from 1558 and king of Bohemia and Hungary from 1526 until his death. Before his accession, he ruled the Austrian hereditary lands of the Habsburgs in the name of his elder brother, Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor.The key events during his reign were the contest...
, the Elector Palatine and the Duke of Württemberg
Württemberg
Württemberg , formerly known as Wirtemberg or Wurtemberg, is an area and a former state in southwestern Germany, including parts of the regions Swabia and Franconia....
.
In 1528 he founded a hospital in Buchsweiler. He also created an "endowment fund" to finance the hospital. This fund developed over the years in the largest bank
Bank
A bank is a financial institution that serves as a financial intermediary. The term "bank" may refer to one of several related types of entities:...
in the county.
Reformation
Under the reign of Count Philipp III, the ReformationReformation
- Movements :* Protestant Reformation, an attempt by Martin Luther to reform the Roman Catholic Church that resulted in a schism, and grew into a wider movement...
slowly took hold in the County of Hanau-Lichtenberg from 1525 onwards. For example, the practice of Seelenamt was banned. On the other hand, Johannes Anglicus, who spread the new doctrine in the county, was sent into exile. Philip III proceeded very carefully on this matter, because of the political consequences. Factors he was taking tino account included the revolutionary ideas that had been spreak among the peasants, his foreign policy, in particular with regard to the neighbouring Archbishopric of Mainz
Archbishopric of Mainz
The Archbishopric of Mainz or Electorate of Mainz was an influential ecclesiastic and secular prince-bishopric in the Holy Roman Empire between 780–82 and 1802. In the Roman Catholic Church hierarchy, the Archbishop of Mainz was the primas Germaniae, the substitute of the Pope north of the Alps...
, his aversion to the bourgeois, Protestant Strasbourg and his wife, who was devoted uncompromisingly to the Catholic faith.
Death
A few years before his death, Philip III became ill and handed the reins of government to his son and successor, Philip IVPhilip IV, Count of Hanau-Lichtenberg
Philip IV of Hanau-Lichtenberg was from 1538 to 1590 the reigning Count of Hanau-Lichtenberg. Before his accession he had already conducted gouvernment business on behalf of his father, Count Philip III. He was very interested in alchemy.- Reformation :Unlike his father, Philip IV stood behind...
.
Philip III died on 15 May 1538 in Buchsweiler and was buried in the family crypt in the St. Nicholas Church in Babenhausen
Babenhausen
Babenhausen is a town in the Darmstadt-Dieburg district, in Hesse, Germany.-Geography:It is situated on the river Gersprenz, 25 km southeast of Frankfurt, and 14 km west of Aschaffenburg. South of its general borders, the mountain range of the Odenwald is situated about 15 km away...
. His grave stone can still be seen in the church and a funeral shiled is on display in the Palace Museum Darmstadt.
Marriage and issue
Philip III married on 24 . January 1504 in Baden-BadenBaden-Baden
Baden-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...
with Margravine Sibylle of Baden (born: 26 April 1485; died: 10 July 1518), daughter of the Margrave Christopher I
Christopher I, Margrave of Baden-Baden
Christopher I of Baden was a Margrave of Baden-Baden in 1475–1515.Christopher was the eldest son of Charles I, Margrave of Baden-Baden and Katharina of Austria, a sister of Frederick III, Holy Roman Emperor. He built the New Castle and moved there in 1479. In 1515 he divided his possessions...
of Baden-Sponheim. She brought a dowry of 5000 florin
Florin
Florin derives from the city of Florence in Italy and frequently refers to the gold coin struck in 1252.This money format was plagiarized in other countries and the word florin is used, for example, in relation to the Dutch guilder and the coin first issued in 1344 by Edward III of England, then...
into the marriage. They had six children:
- Johanna (born: 1507; died: 27 January 1572 at Eberstein Castle in GernsbachGernsbachGernsbach is a town in the district of Rastatt, in Baden-Württemberg, Germany. It is located on the river Murg, east of Baden-Baden in the Black Forest. Twin towns are Baccarat in France and Pergola, Marche in Italy....
), married on 6 November 1522 Count William IV of Eberstein (born: 3 May 1497; died: 1 July 1562). - Christophora (born: 1509, died: 7 March 1582), a nunNunA nun is a woman who has taken vows committing her to live a spiritual life. She may be an ascetic who voluntarily chooses to leave mainstream society and live her life in prayer and contemplation in a monastery or convent...
fom November 1526 and later the last nun abbessAbbessAn abbess is the female superior, or mother superior, of a community of nuns, often an abbey....
of Marienborn Abbey, reverted to secular status in 1559, after the dissolution of the monastery. - Amalia (born: 1512, died: 5 February 1578), nun in Marienborn Abbey from November 1526, secular after dissolution of the monastery in 1559, buried on 7 February 1578 in the St. Nicholas church in BabenhausenBabenhausenBabenhausen is a town in the Darmstadt-Dieburg district, in Hesse, Germany.-Geography:It is situated on the river Gersprenz, 25 km southeast of Frankfurt, and 14 km west of Aschaffenburg. South of its general borders, the mountain range of the Odenwald is situated about 15 km away...
. - Felicitas (born: 5 March 1513; died: November 1513).
- Philip IVPhilip IV, Count of Hanau-LichtenbergPhilip IV of Hanau-Lichtenberg was from 1538 to 1590 the reigning Count of Hanau-Lichtenberg. Before his accession he had already conducted gouvernment business on behalf of his father, Count Philip III. He was very interested in alchemy.- Reformation :Unlike his father, Philip IV stood behind...
(born: 20 October 1514; died: 19 February 1590). - Felicitas (born: 1516; died: 27 August 1551? at Babenhausen or, according to other sources, after 1559, nun in Marienborn Abbey from November 1526.