Rudolf I, Duke of Bavaria (4 October 1274-12 August 1319) was Duke of Bavaria from 1294 to 1317, succeeding Louis II of Bavaria and preceding Louis IV of Germany.
Biography[]
Rudolf was born on 4 October 1274, the son of Louis II of Bavaria and Matilda of Habsburg. He succeeded his father as Duke of Bavaria on his death in 1294, and he married Mechtild of Nassau, Adolf of Germany's daughter, supporting his father-in-law at the Battle of Gollheim, where Adolf was slain. In 1301, he was defeated by Albert I of Germany at Heidelberg, and his younger brother (the future Louis IV of Germany) was appointed co-ruler of Bavaria by Albert. Rudolf and Louis competed to succeed Albert after his 1308 assassination, and he voted for the Count of Luxembourg, who would assume power as Henry VII of Germany. However, Louis prevailed over Henry, and Rudolf was fortunate to be allowed to retain control of the Duchy of Bavaria as Louis became king of Germany. The two brothers feuded for several years, and Rudolf supported Frederick the Fair against Louis. In 1317, he finally agreed to give up his rule in favor of Louis, and he died in 1319.