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How did the elections of Louis IV and Frederick of Austria differ in 1314?
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The death of Henry VII in 1313 led to a double election in 1314, characterized by different electoral support, locations, and coronation circumstances for the two rivals.12
- Frederick the Handsome: On October 19, 1314, four electors chose Frederick the Handsome, duke of Austria, at Sachsenhausen, near Frankfurt. He was crowned on November 25 by the archbishop of Cologne, though the ceremony took place in Bonn rather than the traditional site of Aachen.2
- Louis IV: On October 20, 1314, five electors chose Louis IV of Bavaria outside Frankfurt. He was also crowned on November 25; while he received his crown at the correct location (Aachen), it was performed by the archbishop of Mainz, who was not the correct official for the rite.2
Because electoral custom at the time did not yet recognize a majority principle, these conflicting elections resulted in a civil war that lasted nearly eight years, concluding only after Louis defeated Frederick at the Battle of Mühldorf in 1322.12