WENCESLAS IV, EMPEROR. — King of Bohemia and Germany, b. at Nuremberg on 26 Feb. 1361, d. at Prague on 9 Aug. 1419.
Despite his youth, his father, Emperor Charles IV, succeeded in securing his succession; the election took place on 10 June 1376 at Frankfurt and the coronation at Aachen on 21 July. Only the imperial consecration was lacking, and Charles IV pressed for it, but without making any request for approval, which the Holy See held in high regard and which was contrary to the Golden Bull. Gregory XI demanded solemn promises in favour of the Roman Church, and Charles IV gave them, but by a subterfuge, namely without the consent of the Electoral College. Gregory was not deceived by this procedure and delayed sending a favourable reply, which death then prevented him from formulating. Urban VI, on 26 July 1377, granted satisfaction to W., in the hope of winning him to his obedience; but he had bitterly to acknowledge that the King of the Romans pursued an equivocal policy and refused to intervene in his favour with arms. The Electors, discontented with this conduct, deposed him on 20 Aug. 1400 and on the 21st substituted Rupert, Count Palatine, in his place.