Ulrich III (1286/129111 July 1344) was

Count of Württemberg Count (feminine: countess) is a historical title of nobility in certain European countries, varying in relative status, generally of middling rank in the hierarchy of nobility. Pine, L. G. ''Titles: How the King Became His Majesty''. New York: ...

from 1325 until his death in 1344.

Life

Ulrich was born between 1286 and 1291 to Count Eberhard I and an uncertain mother, either Margarethe of Lorraine (died before 1296) or Irmengard of Baden (died after 1320). He was already strongly involved in the administration of Württemberg during the reign of his father. For example, in 1319 he negotiated a treaty with King

Frederick the Fair Frederick the Fair () or the Handsome ( – 13 January 1330), from the House of Habsburg, was the duke of Austria and Styria from 1308 as well as the anti-king of Germany from 1314 until 1325 and then co-king until his death. Background Frederi ...

. He renewed this treaty after becoming count in 1325, when Württemberg had temporarily joined sides with Louis IV. Both Louis and Frederick claimed power in the

Holy Roman Empire The Holy Roman Empire, also known as the Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation after 1512, was a polity in Central and Western Europe, usually headed by the Holy Roman Emperor. It developed in the Early Middle Ages, and lasted for a millennium ...

at this time. After their reconciliation it was possible for Ulrich to be bound closely to the Holy Roman Empire, even after the death of Frederick I. This and his regional policy of pacts and acquisitions helped strongly to enlarge Württemberg's territory substantially. Besides several gains in

Alsace Alsace (, ; ) is a cultural region and a territorial collectivity in the Grand Est administrative region of northeastern France, on the west bank of the upper Rhine, next to Germany and Switzerland. In January 2021, it had a population of 1,9 ...

, the purchase of Markgröningen in 1336 and

Tübingen Tübingen (; ) is a traditional college town, university city in central Baden-Württemberg, Germany. It is situated south of the state capital, Stuttgart, and developed on both sides of the Neckar and Ammer (Neckar), Ammer rivers. about one in ...

in 1342 are notable. Ulrich died in Alsace on 11 July 1344 and was later buried in the Stiftskirche of Stuttgart.

Marriage and children

Ulrich was married to Sophie of Pfirt. Sons from this marriage were Eberhard II and Ulrich IV, who ruled together with his brother until 1361.

References

Citations

Bibliography

External links

* 13th-century births 1344 deaths 14th-century counts of Württemberg Year of birth unknown {{Germany-noble-stub