Ulrich III, Duke of Carinthia

Ulrich III. of Spanheim (* 1220, † October 27, 1269 in Cividale del Friuli ) from the noble Spannheimer ( Sponheim ) was from 1248/51 Lord of the Mark Krain and from 1256 duke of Carinthia.

Life and work

Ulrich III. was the eldest son of Bernard of Spanheim and Judith of Bohemia, daughter of the Bohemian King Ottokar I. Přemysl. Through his marriage to Agnes of Andechs -Meran († 1263 ), the widow of Duke Frederick II of Austria, acquired Ulrich III. 1248 claims on the Mark Krain. He reigned from 1251 in Carinthia, and followed his father in 1256 as Duke of Carinthia.

1260 completed Ulrich already begun by his father foundation of the Charterhouse Freudenthal ( Bistra near Upper Laibach / Vrhnika ) in Carniola. He also founded the Augustinian Canons peoples market.

Despite arguments about the father and his brother Philip 's chosen since 1247 Archbishop of Salzburg, heritage, Ulrich graduated with this mutual protection and inheritance contract. After Philip had been deposed by King Ottokar II in the year 1256/57, he urged in 1267 to Ulrich goods division and establishing a legacy of Carinthia and Carniola.

Ulrich III. , Who was without physical successor because his son died young from his first marriage and his second marriage with Agnes Baden- Austria ( daughter of Gertrude of Babenberg ) remained childless, bequeathed in an undisclosed, on December 4, 1268 Podiebrad signed contract of inheritance, but his cousin Ottokar II all his possessions.

After his death of Ottokar II in the battle for Carinthia won against Ulrich's brother Philip. With Ulrich III. ended the rule of the Spannheimer in Carinthia.