Louis II, Elector of Brandenburg (d. 1365)

Known to history as Louis the Roman (German: Ludwig VI der Römer), this influential figure of the medieval Holy Roman Empire was born on 7 May 1328. His life, spanning a period of complex political and dynastic maneuvers, concluded on 17 May 1365. As a prominent member of the venerable House of Wittelsbach, Louis inherited a legacy deeply intertwined with the highest office in the Empire, carving out his own significant roles as a ruler and, crucially, as one of the Empire's most powerful Prince-Electors.

Louis was the eldest son born from the second marriage of Holy Roman Emperor Louis IV the Bavarian. His mother was Margaret II, Countess of Hainaut, a formidable noblewoman who brought substantial territories, including Hainaut, Holland, and Zeeland, into the family's sphere of influence through her lineage. This familial background placed Louis within a powerful network, with his father being the reigning Holy Roman Emperor—a title often contested and fraught with political challenges during that era—and his mother connecting him to the rich Low Countries.

A Ruler in Bavaria and Brandenburg

Following his father's death, Louis ascended to power as Louis VI, Duke of Upper Bavaria, a title he held from 1347 until his own passing in 1365. The Wittelsbach family had long been a dominant force in the Bavarian ducal lands, and Louis's succession marked a continuation of this ancestral claim. However, his influence extended beyond Bavaria.

He also became Margrave of Brandenburg as Louis II, a role he undertook from 1351, again until 1365. The Margraviate of Brandenburg was a strategically vital territory, acquired by his father, Louis IV, for the Wittelsbach dynasty in 1323. Initially, it was granted to Louis V (known as Louis the Brandenburger), Louis the Roman's elder half-brother. In a significant shift of power within the family, Louis V ceded Brandenburg to his younger half-brothers, Louis VI and Otto V, in 1351. While Otto V also held the title, Louis VI was the more active and effective ruler during this period, consolidating Wittelsbach authority in the region.

The Prince-Elector of Brandenburg and the Golden Bull of 1356

Perhaps Louis's most enduring historical significance stems from his elevation to Prince-Elector of Brandenburg as of 1356. This was a pivotal moment not just for Louis but for the constitutional structure of the Holy Roman Empire. The year 1356 saw the promulgation of the Golden Bull by Emperor Charles IV. This landmark decree formalized the process of electing the Holy Roman Emperor, defining the seven Prince-Electors—four secular and three ecclesiastical—who would hold this exclusive privilege.

As Margrave of Brandenburg, Louis VI was officially recognized as one of these four secular electors, alongside the King of Bohemia, the Count Palatine of the Rhine, and the Duke of Saxony. This elevated him to a position of immense political power and prestige, giving him a direct voice in the selection of the Emperor and making his territory, Brandenburg, one of the foundational pillars of the Empire's constitutional framework. His tenure as Prince-Elector solidified the Wittelsbach presence in the Imperial political landscape, even as their hold on Brandenburg would eventually pass to other dynasties.

FAQs About Louis the Roman

Who was Louis the Roman?
Louis the Roman (Ludwig VI der Römer) was a significant German noble from the House of Wittelsbach, who lived from 1328 to 1365. He held the titles of Duke of Upper Bavaria and Margrave of Brandenburg, and critically, he was one of the first Prince-Electors of the Holy Roman Empire.
Why was he called "the Roman"?
The epithet "the Roman" likely derives from his father, Holy Roman Emperor Louis IV the Bavarian, who had been crowned Emperor in Rome. This connection emphasized the family's strong ties to the imperial dignity and the historical legacy of the Roman Empire, even if they did not personally rule Rome.
Who were his parents?
His father was Louis IV the Bavarian, the reigning Holy Roman Emperor. His mother was Margaret II, Countess of Hainaut, who was also Countess of Holland and Zeeland, bringing substantial territorial influence to the Wittelsbach dynasty.
What territories did Louis the Roman rule?
He ruled as Louis VI, Duke of Upper Bavaria, from 1347 to 1365. Concurrently, he was Louis II, Margrave of Brandenburg, from 1351 to 1365. After 1356, as Margrave of Brandenburg, he also held the powerful title of Prince-Elector.
What was the significance of the Golden Bull of 1356 for Louis the Roman?
The Golden Bull of 1356 formalized the selection process for the Holy Roman Emperor and designated seven specific Prince-Electors. As Margrave of Brandenburg, Louis the Roman was confirmed as one of these powerful secular electors, granting him and his territory a permanent and crucial role in the imperial structure, significantly boosting his political standing and prestige.