Adolf Nassau King of Germany Country: Germany

1. Adolf of Nassau: King of Germany
2. Ascension to the German Throne
3. Conflict and Opposition
4. Downfall and Death

Adolf of Nassau: King of Germany

Adolf of Nassau was born into the noble Nassau family and was the son of Count Walram II of Nassau and Adelheid von Katzenelnbogen. He served as the Count of Nassau from 1276 and later became the King of Germany in 1292. Adolf was also appointed as the Landgrave of Thuringia in 1294.

Ascension to the German Throne

Following the death of Rudolf I, Adolf was elected as the King of Germany on May 5, 1292, and was coronated in Aachen on June 24, 1292. Soon after becoming king, Adolf initiated negotiations with the English King Edward I and received 100,000 pounds sterling in exchange for his promise to wage war against France. However, the Pope prohibited Adolf from participating in this war.

Conflict and Opposition

Adolf used the funds received from King Edward I to recruit a large army, which he deployed in 1294 to intervene in the war between the Thuringian Landgrave Albert and his sons from his first marriage. This intervention became a pretext for his enemies to rise against him.

Downfall and Death

In February 1298, German rulers gathered in Vienna and reached an agreement with the Austrian Duke Albert to depose Adolf. Subsequently, in June of the same year, electors assembled in Mainz and declared Adolf's dethronement. They accused him of inciting civil wars, insulting the church, and violating the rights of princes.

Shortly after these events, on July 2, 1298, Adolf was killed in a battle against the Austrians near Worms, in what is known as the Battle of Göllheim.