Rupert I, Elector Palatine of the Rhine
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Rupert I, "the Red" Elector Palatine (Wolfratshausen
, June 9, 1309 – 16 February 1390 in Neustadt an der Weinstraße) was Count Palatine of the Rhine from 1353 to 1390.
He was the son of Rudolf I, Duke of Bavaria
and Mechtild of Nassau
, the daughter of King Adolf of Nassau-Weilburg
. With the death of his brother Rudolf II in 1353, he inherited his domains and became sole Elector for the territory, whereas they had previously shared that privilege.
The Golden Bull of 1356 guaranteed the Palatinate the right of participating in the election of the Holy Roman Emperor
. Previous Counts Palatine had participated in other Imperial elections.
In 1386, Rupert founded the University of Heidelberg, the third university in the Holy Roman Empire
, which was named after him.
Rupert was married twice to Elisabeth, Countess of Namur then to Beatrix of Julich-Berg. Neither marriage produced an heir.
He was succeeded by his nephew, Rupert II, Elector Palatine.
Wolfratshausen
Wolfratshausen is a town of the district of Bad Tölz-Wolfratshausen, located in Bavaria, Germany. The town had a population of 17,118 as of 31 December 2003.-History:...
, June 9, 1309 – 16 February 1390 in Neustadt an der Weinstraße) was Count Palatine of the Rhine from 1353 to 1390.
He was the son of Rudolf I, Duke of Bavaria
Rudolf I, Duke of Bavaria
Rudolf I of Bavaria , a member of the Wittelsbach dynasty, was Duke of Bavaria and Count Palatine of the Rhine...
and Mechtild of Nassau
Mechtild of Nassau
Mechtild of Nassau was the youngest child of Adolf of Germany and his wife Imagina of Isenburg-Limburg. Mechtild is also known as Matilda of Nassau. She was Duchess consort of Bavaria, by her marriage to Rudolf I, Duke of Bavaria.- Family :Mechtild's paternal grandparents were Walram II of Nassau...
, the daughter of King Adolf of Nassau-Weilburg
Adolf of Nassau-Weilburg
Adolf was the King of Germany from 1292 until 1298. Though his title in his lifetime was Rex Romanorum , he is usually known as Adolf of Nassau...
. With the death of his brother Rudolf II in 1353, he inherited his domains and became sole Elector for the territory, whereas they had previously shared that privilege.
The Golden Bull of 1356 guaranteed the Palatinate the right of participating in the election of the 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...
. Previous Counts Palatine had participated in other Imperial elections.
In 1386, Rupert founded the University of Heidelberg, the third university 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...
, which was named after him.
Rupert was married twice to Elisabeth, Countess of Namur then to Beatrix of Julich-Berg. Neither marriage produced an heir.
He was succeeded by his nephew, Rupert II, Elector Palatine.