Henry IV

Henry IV

Duke of Brabant from 1261 to 1267. Son of Henry III and Adelaide of Burgundy.
Date of Birth: 01.01.1251

Content:
  1. Early Life and Succession
  2. Contested Regency
  3. Ambitious Intrigues
  4. Monastic Retirement

Early Life and Succession

Henry IV of Brabant was born the son of Henry III, Duke of Brabant, and Adelaide of Burgundy. Upon his father's death in 1261, Henry IV inherited the duchy at the tender age of ten.

Contested Regency

Henry III's will failed to specify a regent for his young son, leading to competing claims from the late duke's half-brother, Henry of Hesse, his mother Adelaide of Burgundy, and his relative, Henry of Leuven, Lord of Gaasbeek. With the support of the barons, Adelaide emerged as regent, ruling alongside Wouter Berthout of Mechelen and Godfrey of Perwe, grandson of Henry III's grandfather.

Ambitious Intrigues

Adelaide harbored ambitions to displace the physically frail and mentally ill Henry IV in favor of his brother, John. This sparked unrest in Leuven, Mechelen, and Brussels, culminating in Henry's formal abdication at Kortenberg on May 14, 1267.

Monastic Retirement

After his abdication, Henry IV retreated to a monastery in Dijon, France. The last known record of the former duke of Brabant dates from April 29, 1272. The circumstances and date of his death remain unknown.

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