Reinhard II, Count of Hanau

Reinhard II von Hanau (c. 1369; † June 26, 1451 in Hanau ), Mr. and since 1429 Count of Hanau was one of the most important representatives of his house.

Youth

The exact birthday and even the year of birth of Reinhard II are unknown because of medieval view of the date of death because of memory fairs was much more important than the birthday.

He was the second son of Ulrich IV of Hanau (* 1330/40; † September or October 1380 ) and Countess Elisabeth of Wertheim ( 1347-1378 ). In the family of the lords of Hanau was primogeniture, express or once formulated in the " Primogeniturstatut " of 1375th Then always allowed only the eldest son take the government and even marry. As the second son Reinhard II was perhaps originally intended for a spiritual career. He has received A suitable training 1387 he is shown as a student at the University of Bologna. One of the sons of Ulrich IV, it could also have been Reinhard II was, in 1390 enrolled as a student in the University of Heidelberg. The corresponding entry in the registers does not mention a nickname, but speaks only of a " domicellus de Hanaw ". A clerical career but was soon abandoned, since 1391 included the now reigning in the reign Hanau Ulrich V. and his brother Reinhard a contract by which his allowance was secured from worldly bonds. At the latest at this time renounced the family on a spiritual career Reinhard. This was also due to the fact that marriage Ulrich V. had no sons and Reinhard should be obtained as a possible successor. The contract him 400 florins and shares in the Hanauer offices Partenstein, Rieneck, Bieber and Haßlau were awarded.

In this generation, it was the first time in the family of the von Hanau that younger sons were not in the clergy. 1398, the contract was confirmed with the involvement of the younger brother Johann. It was now come to hand strength dispute with fights.

Ulrich II von Hanau (* 1280, † 1346 ) ∞ Agnes of Hohenlohe ( * before 1295, † 1343 )

Gerlach of Nassau (* 1283, † 1361 ) ∞ Agnes of Hesse (*, ? † 1371 )

Rudolf III. of Wertheim (* 1302, † 1355 ) ∞ Elisabeth of Breuberg (*, ? † 1358 )

Frederick IV of Hohenzollern (* 1287, † 1332 ) ∞ Margaret of Carinthia (*, ? † after 1348 )

Ulrich III. Hanau ( * ca 1310, † 1369/70 ) ∞ Adelaide of Nassau ( *, ? † 1344)

Eberhard I von Wertheim (*, ? † 1373 ) ∞ Katharina von Hohenzollern (*, ? N † 1369 )

Ulrich IV of Hanau (* 1330/40, † 1380 ) ∞ Elisabeth of Wertheim (* 1347, † 1378 )

Reinhard II von Hanau

For family see main article: Hanau ( noble )

Throne

Requirements

The immediate legacy of Ulrich IV of Hanau, the elder brother Reinhard ( II ), Ulrich V. This was ruled the county of Hanau since 1380 formally (there was a guardianship for his minority ) and from about 1388 in person. He remained, however, without male heirs. As a result of the " Primogeniturstatuts " only the eldest son was allowed to marry, it threatened the survival of the family. Compensation should first create the mentioned family Treaty of 1391 here. He also stipulated that Reinhard ( II ) after ten years should be able to marry if Ulrich V. begat no male heirs. This period is expired in 1401. Since about 1395, a coalition of Reinhard ( II ) and his brother Johann determine which occur independently and separately from Ulrich V. and pursue a policy directed against him in part. It came to an open quarrel that had to be resolved for the first time with a comparison in the year 1398. Nevertheless, as further disputes up to feud.

Next can be since 1394, to detect increased since 1396 that Ulrich V. ran into economic difficulties. This eventually gave up to a pledge of the two cities of Hanau and Babenhausen in the political rivals and neighbors, the Archbishop Johann II of Mainz, who became de facto co-regent in the reign of Hanau. On the other hand, it should be noted that V. Ulrich and his brothers were nephews of second degree Archbishop of Mainz - so it was all in the family.

Coup of 1404

From 1400, increasingly from 1402, Reinhard ( II ) and his brother John seem to have politically approached the Archbishop Johann II of Mainz, finally in the intra-family dispute in Hanau switched sides and Ulrich V. dropped. So it comes in 1404 to a gradual disempowerment of Ulrich V., to Reinhard II and his younger brother Johann forced the elder brother on 26 November 1404 abdication.

Reinhard and Johann II ruled first together, Reinhard II, after Johann had died later in 1411 alone.

Marriage and children

Government

The outstanding event of the dynastic reign Reinhard II is the elevation to the Imperial Count on December 11, 1429 by King Sigismund.

Since the year 1400, Reinhard II operates in kingdom affairs. The certificate, which attests to the deposition of King King Wenceslas, he has signed up with, in the choice of King Sigismund in 1411 he was present when choosing King Albrecht II 1438 and the Frederick III. 1442 he appears as a witness. 1401 he received and his brother Johann attend the call on Römerzug. 1414 he attended the Council of Constance.

Again and again, Reinhard II was involved in feuds with nobles from the environment. 1405 he participated in a campaign against King Rupert's robber barons in the Wetterau, against the castles Rückingen, maximum ( at Lindheim ), Moembris, Waterless, Hüttelngesäß, Karben and Hauenstein. But he also participated in regional public peace, ie agreements on the peaceful, judicial settlement of disputes which may prevent feuds. So between 1434 Mainz, Eppstein, Isenburg - Büdingen and Rieneck. In the county Rieneck he was also active as a short-term guardian.

His long reign is marked by an upsurge of domination and later county in many areas. This is for example reflected in the fact that the dowry of his daughters is higher the more the later they marry. It will take place reforms to the administration and the judiciary. 1434 county of Hanau is freed by privilege of the Emperor of all foreign jurisdiction. The churches and school systems are supported. The reign Reinhard II provides for Hanau the beginning of the successful transition from the late Middle Ages to modern times represent the start of the transition to the modern territorial state.

Also, territorial expansion can be observed: in 1434 he received the Office Bornheimer mountain fief, which he held previously as a pledge of the kingdom, in 1435 acquires Reinhard II half of the Empire Pawn shaft Gelnhausen (the other half has the Palatinate held ), in 1446 a share of the falkensteinischen inheritance and additional acquisition is recorded.

Within its dominion and later county the focus shifted locally to Hanau - even if that repeatedly rumored rumor that the residence had been moved by wind corners to Hanau, in this stringency is not true. An "official " act of laying - reported in older literature for the year 1436 - is not proven. The city of Hanau growing. It comes to a city expansion in the area of ​​today's Hospital street. Reinhard II leaves the Late Gothic church, one consecrated to Mary Magdalene Collegiate Church in Hanau, extend three naves. He increased the number of Altaristen in the church and the foundations that will entertain them. Under him it is the parish church and triggers in this function, the Church of Kinzdorfs from.

Relation to the Archbishopric of Mainz

In the reign of Ulrich V. Hanau had fallen into ever greater dependence by the Archbishop of Mainz. The Archbishop of Mainz speaks so for example, of "his" city of Hanau, so apparently - possibly by a pledge - gained control of the city. Reinhard II attempted successfully in the early years to make this dependence undo.

The highlight of this development was reached when it Reinhard II succeeded after the death of the archbishop in 1419 to regain control of the cities of Hanau and Babenhausen absolute. The dramatic anecdotal embellishment of this action in Hanau and the allegedly associated emergence of the custom that the rule was there to pour in the old town for centuries the Martini wine does not match, in this form, but the historical facts.

The Mainz expansion policy is on the city of Hanau opposite bank of the Main successful: in 1425, the Archbishop Buy the Office Steinheim of Eppstein. The Mainz threat remains for the county of Hanau so.

Death

Reinhard II died on June 26, 1451 and was buried in St. Mary's Church in Hanau was the first of the House of Hanau. There his grave plate is obtained. All his ancestors were buried in the monastery Arnsburg.