Battle of Mühldorf (1322)

Timeline

1. 1314–1322Holy Roman Empire · Holy Roman EmpireAfter the imperial election of 1314, Louis IV and Frederick I (Frederick of Austria) were each crowned, creating a situation of rival emperors. Both sides sought the support of the princes and the papacy; repeated negotiations failed, and military confrontation escalated into a decisive battle in 1322.
2. 1322Mühldorf · BavariaLouis IV led the Bavarian and allied princes' forces and encountered Frederick's troops near Mühldorf. The two sides fought fiercely with heavily armored cavalry as their main strength; Louis's side won a decisive victory and Frederick was captured. The battle is regarded as a classic example of medieval German knightly warfare.
3. 1322–1328Holy Roman Empire · Holy Roman EmpireAfter Frederick's capture, the Habsburg camp was greatly weakened. In 1325 the two sides reached a reconciliation, and in 1328 Louis IV was crowned emperor in Rome by a clergy loyal to the people's party. The Battle of Mühldorf thus became the key turning point in the 14th-century shift of imperial power from division toward Louis IV's dominance.