Wolfgang Wilhelm, Count Palatine of Neuburg


Wolfgang Wilhelm von Pfalz-Neuburg was a German Prince. He was Count Palatine of Neuburg and Duke of Jülich and Berg.

Life

Wolfgang was the son of Philip Louis, Count Palatine of Neuburg, and Anna of Jülich-Cleves-Berg, a daughter of William, Duke of Jülich-Cleves-Berg.
Wolfgang's uncle, John William, Duke Julich-Cleves-Berg had no heirs, so Wolfgang Wilhelm rushed to secure the duchies for himself. Neuburg was small and weak, surrounded by stronger powers like Bavaria and the Electoral Palatinate. Acquiring the Jülich succession would not only provide more land but also enrich the Neuburg economy. Despite his Lutheran religious status, Wolfgang personally traveled to Prague to seek the Emperor's support. He also tried to gain the support of France and England, but these efforts were unsuccessful.
Wolfgang eventually entered negotiations with his main rival over the succession, Johann Sigismund of Brandenburg, and agreed to the Treaty of Dortmund in 1609. However, this treaty would break down when he converted to Catholicism before his marriage to Magdalene of Bavaria in 1613.
Wolfgang eventually agreed to settle the War of the Jülich Succession with his rival claimant, and thus became the first ruler of Palatinate-Neuburg who was also Duke of Jülich and Berg. In 1615, he was made a Knight in the Order of the Golden Fleece. Because he practiced a strict policy of neutrality in the Thirty Years' War, his territories escaped widespread destruction.
Wolfgang moved his residence to Düsseldorf in 1636 and attempted to stabilize and spread Catholicism in his lands. In 1651, disputes over church property led to the short Düsseldorf Cow War.
When Wolfgang died, his son, Phillip William, inherited his lands.

Marriage and issue

Wolfgang Wilhelm married three times:
  • Philip William, his successor.
  • Ferdinand Philip, died young.
  • Eleonore Franziska, died young.