Biography of Holy Roman Emperor Sigismund 1368-1437

On 15th February 1368 Holy Roman Emperor Sigismund was born to Charles IV King Bohemia Holy Roman Emperor Luxemburg (age 51) and Elizabeth Pomerania Holy Roman Empress Luxemburg (age 21).

In 1374 Holy Roman Emperor Sigismund (age 5) and [his future wife] Mary Hungary I Queen Hungary (age 3) were bethrothed.

On 29th November 1378 [his father] Charles IV King Bohemia Holy Roman Emperor Luxemburg (age 62) died.

In 1385 Holy Roman Emperor Sigismund (age 16) and Mary Hungary I Queen Hungary (age 14) were married. She the daughter of Louis I King Hungary King Poland and Elizabeth Bosnia Queen Consort Hungary. He the son of Charles IV King Bohemia Holy Roman Emperor Luxemburg and Elizabeth Pomerania Holy Roman Empress Luxemburg (age 38). They were third cousins.

On 31st March 1387 Holy Roman Emperor Sigismund (age 19) was crowned I King Hungary.

On 15th April 1393 [his mother] Elizabeth Pomerania Holy Roman Empress Luxemburg (age 46) died.

On 17th May 1395 [his wife] Mary Hungary I Queen Hungary (age 24) died.

Froissart Book 4 Chapter 93. 1398. At this period, there was a numerous assembly of great lords in the city of Rheims, as well from the empire of Germany as from France, whose object was to restore union to the church. At the solicitation of the king of France (age 29), the [his half-brother] emperor (age 36) had come thither in person, attended by his ministers; but because they wished it not to be publicly known that this meeting was to consider of the rivalship of the two popes of Rome and of Avignon, they had it rumoured, that the lords of the empire came to Rheims to treat of a marriage between a son of the marquis of Brandenburgh (age 29), brother to the emperor, and a daughter of the duke of Orleans. The king of France was lodged in the archbishop's palace, as were the dukes of Orleans (age 25), Berry (age 57), Burgundy (age 26), and count de Saint Pol, with other barons and prelates of France. When the emperor was about to make his entry into Rheims, all these lords and prelates, with Charles, king of Navarre (age 37), went to meet him: after receiving him most honourably, they conducted him first to the church of Our Lady, and then to the abbey of Saint Remy, where he was lodged with all his lords. His attendants, and the others who had accompanied him, were placed as near to him as was possible; and the king of France had ordered, that all the expenses of the emperor and Germans, during their residence in Rheims, should be paid by his officers in the most ample manner. In consequence, there were daily delivered to the Germans ten tons of herrings, for it was Lent, and eight hundred carp, without counting different sorts of fish and other things, which cost the king immense sums.

Froissart Book 4 Chapter 93. 1398. During the residence of these monarchs at Rheims, their ministers frequently met to consider of the marriage of the marquis of Brandenburgh, and the reformation of the church. The marriage was agreed on, and published in Rheims, but their consultations and resolutions, concerning the church, were kept secret: what I shall say on the subject came to my knowledge afterward. It was determined that Peter d'Ailly, bishop of Cambray, should be sent as ambassador from the emperor and the king of Franco to the person who styled himself pope Boniface at Rome, and negotiate with him in their names with the view of inducing him to submit to a new election: should the choice again fall on him, he would be acknowledged by them as pope, but, if not, then he was to resign. The bishop was to declare the same to the pope of Avignon; adding that, if either of the popes refused to comply with this disposition of the two monarchs, they would be degraded, and every honour and profit of the church taken from them: that in this the kings of England, Scotland, Castille, Portugal, and Navarre (age 37), had joined. The emperor (age 29) said he would answer for his brother the king of Hungary, and all Bohemia and Germany, as far a.s Prussia, being of the same sentiment. The monarchs likewise declared, that, on the bishop's return from his embassy, they would exert themselves, with their friends and allies, that what they had now agreed on should be executed without any variation. Thus ended this meeting: the two monarchs separated most amicably, and each returned to his usual place of residence. The duke of Burgundy (age 55) refused to attend at Rheims; for he said it would not answer any purpose, and that whatever might be given to the Germans, they would never keep the engagements they should enter into. However, notwithstanding this speech of the duke, nothing was left undone, and matters were concluded as you have heard.

Froissart Book 4 Chapter 93. 1398. When the emperor (age 29) paid his first visit to the king of France (age 29), the great lords beforementioned went to seek him at the abbey of Saint Remy, and conducted him in great state to the palace. On the two monarchs meeting, they paid many compliments to each other, as they knew well how to do, especially the king of France, for the Germans are a rude unmannered race, except in what regards their personal advantage, and in this they are active and expert enough. The lords of both countries who were present made acquaintance together, with many outward signs of satisfaction: and the king of France entertained the whole at dinner, of which I will mention some particulars. At the top of the king's table was seated the patriarch of Jerusalem: next to him the emperor, then the king of France, and the king of Navarre (age 37): no more were at this table. At the others were seated the lords from Germany; and they were waited on by the lords of France, for none of them sat down. The dukes of Berry (age 57), Bourbon, and the count de St. Pol, with other great barons, placed the dishes, and served the king's table. The duke of Orleans (age 25) supplied the company with such quantities of plates of gold and silver as though they had been made of wood. The dinner was splendid, and abundantly well served, and deserving of remembrance. I was told that the king made a present to the emperor of all the gold and silver plate that was used, as well as what was on the side-board, with all the tapestry and ornaments of the apartment whither the emperor retired after dinner to partake of wine and spices. This gift was estimated at two hundred thousand florins; and the other Germans were presented with magnificent gifts of gold and silver plate. The Germans, and other strangers who had come thither to view the feast, greatly wondered at the wealth and power of France.

Before 7th October 1409 Holy Roman Emperor Sigismund (age 41) and Barbara of Cilli Holy Roman Empress (age 17) were married. The difference in their ages was 23 years. He the son of Charles IV King Bohemia Holy Roman Emperor Luxemburg and Elizabeth Pomerania Holy Roman Empress Luxemburg.

On 7th October 1409 [his daughter] Elizabeth Luxemburg Duchess Austria was born to Holy Roman Emperor Sigismund (age 41) and [his wife] Barbara of Cilli Holy Roman Empress (age 17).

In 1413 Holy Roman Emperor Sigismund (age 44) was appointed 127th Knight of the Garter by King Henry V of England (age 26).

On 8th November 1414 Holy Roman Emperor Sigismund (age 46) was crowned I King Germany at Aachen aka Aix le Chapelle.

On 27th July 1420 Holy Roman Emperor Sigismund (age 52) was crowned I King Bohemia at Prague.

On 31st May 1433 Holy Roman Emperor Sigismund (age 65) was crowned Holy Roman Emperor Luxemburg at Rome, Italy [Map].

On 9th December 1437 Holy Roman Emperor Sigismund (age 69) died at Znojmo.

Chronicle of Gregory. 9th December 1437. Ande that same year deyde the Emperowre of Rome (age 69), and his termentte was solempnly holde at Syn Poulys [Map] at the cytte of London the iij day of May, there beynge the King (age 16) and his lordys.

In 1451 [his former wife] Barbara of Cilli Holy Roman Empress (age 59) died.

[his father] Charles IV King Bohemia Holy Roman Emperor Luxemburg and Blanche Valois Holy Roman Empress Luxemburg were married. She by marriage Holy Roman Empress Luxemburg. She the daughter of Charles Valois I Count Valois and Mahaut Chatillon Countess Valois. He the son of [his grandfather] King John I of Bohemia and [his grandmother] Queen Elizabeth of Bohemia. They were fourth cousin once removed. She a great x 2 granddaughter of King Henry III of England.

[his father] Charles IV King Bohemia Holy Roman Emperor Luxemburg and Anna Schweidnitz Holy Roman Empress Luxemburg were married. She by marriage Holy Roman Empress Luxemburg. He the son of [his grandfather] King John I of Bohemia and [his grandmother] Queen Elizabeth of Bohemia.

[his father] Charles IV King Bohemia Holy Roman Emperor Luxemburg and Anna Bavaria Holy Roman Empress Luxemburg were married. She by marriage Holy Roman Empress Luxemburg. He the son of [his grandfather] King John I of Bohemia and [his grandmother] Queen Elizabeth of Bohemia.

[his father] Charles IV King Bohemia Holy Roman Emperor Luxemburg and [his mother] Elizabeth Pomerania Holy Roman Empress Luxemburg were married. She by marriage Holy Roman Empress Luxemburg. The difference in their ages was 30 years. He the son of [his grandfather] King John I of Bohemia and [his grandmother] Queen Elizabeth of Bohemia.