About Bernard IV, Margrave of Baden-Durlach
Lived 1517 – 1553 (aged 35–36). Bernard IV, Margrave of Baden-Durlach was a German ruler.
Bernard IV, Margrave of Baden-Durlach (born 1517 – died 20 January 1553) was Margrave of Baden-Pforzheim from 26 September 1552 until his death.
Life Bernhard was the second son from the first marriage of Margrave Ernest of Baden-Profzheim with Elisabeth of Brandenburg-Ansbach-Kulmbach.
Like his older brother Albert, Bernard has been attributed a dissolute life, and been described as a wild creature. His bad reputation halted negotiations between his father and the Duke of Cleves, brother of the fourth wife of King Henry VIII of England, Anne of Cleves, for him to marry the Duke's other sister Amelia. In 1537, he opposed the proposed division of his father's territory among his father's sons, and in particular against the rights of his half-brother Charles II, arguing that his father's second marriage had been morganatic. After his brother Albert died in 1542, his father forgave him his earlier opposition and promised him he would inherit Lower Baden.
In 1540 he acquired the citizenship of the city Basel. He also owed a debt to the city.
He ruled Lower Baden, with the cities of Pforzheim and Durlach from 26 September 1552 until his death, while his half-brother Charles II ruled Upper Baden. However, his rule lasted only a few months, as he died unexpectedly on 20 January 1553. He was buried in the Collegiate Church in Pforzheim.
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Important facts
People in Bernard IV, Margrave of Baden-Durlach's life
Named in this biography and alive at the same time
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped Bernard IV, Margrave of Baden-Durlach's
Frequently asked questions
Who was Bernard IV, Margrave of Baden-Durlach?
Margrave of Baden-Durlach
When was Bernard IV, Margrave of Baden-Durlach born?
Bernard IV, Margrave of Baden-Durlach was born in 1517.
When did Bernard IV, Margrave of Baden-Durlach die?
Bernard IV, Margrave of Baden-Durlach died on 20 January 1553 in Pforzheim.
What was Bernard IV, Margrave of Baden-Durlach's occupation?
Bernard IV, Margrave of Baden-Durlach was a ruler.
What nationality was Bernard IV, Margrave of Baden-Durlach?
Bernard IV, Margrave of Baden-Durlach was German.
Sources & further reading
· Wikipedia: Bernard IV, Margrave of Baden-Durlach
· DBpedia: Bernard IV of Baden-Durlach
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Bernard IV, Margrave of Baden-Durlach. https://biography.guide/bernard-iv-margrave-of-baden-durlach/
MLA: "Bernard IV, Margrave of Baden-Durlach." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/bernard-iv-margrave-of-baden-durlach/.
Chicago: "Bernard IV, Margrave of Baden-Durlach." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/bernard-iv-margrave-of-baden-durlach/.
Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.
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