The Wittelsbach family were the ruling dynasty of the German duchy of Bavaria from 1180 to 1918 and of the Rhine Palatinate from 1214 until 1805; in 1815 the latter territory was incorporated into Bavaria, which had been elevated to a kingdom by Napoleon in 1806.

The family provided two Holy Roman Emperors: Louis IV (1328-1347) and Charles VII (1742-1745), and for half a century until 1373 also ruled Brandenburg in north-east Germany.

Other major members of the family include:

• Ruprecht III Wittelsbach (1352 - 1410)
• Sigismund of Bavaria (1439 - 1501)
• Frederick V, Elector Palatine (1596 - 1632)
• Maximilian II Emanuel, elector of Bavaria (1662 - 1726)
• Klemens August of Bavaria (1700 - 1761)
• Otto of Greece (1815 - 1867).
• Elisabeth of Austria (Empress "Sisi" of Austria) (1837 - 1898)
• Ludwig II of Bavaria, "Mad Ludwig" (1845 - 1886)

Related articles

• List of rulers of Bavaria

External link

• The Royal Family of Bavaria - House of Wittelsbach