Louis IV was a 13th-century German nobleman who served as the Landgrave of Thuringia and Saxon Count palatine. Born in Creuzburg in 1200, he inherited his title in 1217 following the death of his father, Hermann I. A member of the Ludovingian dynasty, he was married to Elizabeth of Hungary and maintained close ties with Emperor Frederick II. Louis is remembered for his commitment to protecting the impoverished and for his participation in the Sixth Crusade, which ultimately led to his death in Italy.
Life and rule
After ascending the throne at sixteen, Louis established his court at Wartburg Castle. He acted as a protector of the poor, occasionally using military force against nobles who oppressed the needy. In 1227, he joined the Sixth Crusade after making a religious vow to Emperor Frederick II. While traveling through the Kingdom of Sicily toward the Holy Land, he contracted a plague and died in Otranto at the age of twenty-seven.
Veneration
In the Catholic tradition, he is recognized as Blessed Louis of Thuringia. His legacy is closely linked to his wife, Elizabeth, who dedicated her life to serving the sick after his passing. Following his death, his remains were interred at Reinhardsbrunn Abbey in 1228, where he was succeeded by his young son, Hermann II.