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Born approximately around 1410 in Augsburg, Agnes Bernauer perished on 12 October 1435 near Straubing.

Victim in the notorious murder case of 1485, Agnes Bernauer

Born approximately in 1410 in Augsburg, Agnes Bernauer met her end on 12th October 1435 near...
Born approximately in 1410 in Augsburg, Agnes Bernauer met her end on 12th October 1435 near Straubing.

Born approximately around 1410 in Augsburg, Agnes Bernauer perished on 12 October 1435 near Straubing.

In the heart of medieval Bavaria, a remarkable and tragic tale unfolded. Agnes Bernauer, the daughter of a bathhouse keeper, found herself at the centre of a whirlwind of controversy and power struggles when she met Albrecht III., the heir apparent of Duke Ernst of Wittelsbach, in 1428.

Against all social norms of the time, Albrecht III. is believed to have secretly married Agnes Bernauer, a union that Duke Ernst viewed as a threat to the succession of the Duchy of Bavaria-Munich-Straubing. The duke, who saw his son's marriage as a breach of the aristocratic order, accused Agnes of high treason, sorcery, and harming the land.

On October 12, 1435, Agnes Bernauer's life came to an abrupt and tragic end. She was drowned in the Danube river in Straubing, a fate that was likely the result of Duke Ernst's actions against her. The exact date of her death is not definitively known, but it occurred after her sentencing.

Agnes Bernauer's death was not a natural one. It was a significant event in the controversy surrounding her secret marriage to Albrecht III. and her subsequent persecution by Duke Ernst. Her father's humble position as a bathhouse keeper did not deter Albrecht III. from his affection for her, but it was a factor that Duke Ernst used to justify his actions.

The person who brought charges against Agnes Bernauer was none other than Albrecht III, Duke of Bavaria, a surprising turn of events that added another layer of intrigue to the story. Agnes Bernauer's drowning marked the end of the controversy, but her memory lived on, serving as a reminder of the power dynamics and social hierarchies that shaped the Middle Ages.

Today, Agnes Bernauer's story stands as a testament to the enduring power of love, even in the face of adversity, and the consequences that can arise when tradition and power collide.

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