Louis V, Landgrave Of Hesse-Darmstadt

Louis V of Hesse-Darmstadt (German: Ludwig; 24 September 1577 – 27 July 1626) was the Landgrave of Hesse-Darmstadt from 1596 until his death in 1626.

== Early Life ==

He was born on 24 September 1577 in Darmstadt. His father was George I, Landgrave of Hesse-Darmstadt, and his mother was Magdalene of Lippe, daughter of Bernhard VIII, Count of Lippe.

== Reign and Political Activities ==

In 1604, Louis V inherited a portion of Hessen-Marburg following the death of Louis IV of Hesse-Marburg, who left no heirs. The remaining part of Hessen-Marburg went to Maurice of Hesse-Kassel (or Hesse-Cassel). Maurice was a Calvinist, which led Louis V to claim rights over the entire Hesse-Marburg territory. This claim was contested within the context of religious differences.

In 1607, Lutheran professors who refused to convert to Calvinism founded the University of Gießen, which was named Ludoviciana in honor of Louis V. This institution became a focal point of religious and political conflict during the early 17th century.

Louis V's political stance aligned with the Holy Roman Emperor, especially during the tensions of the Thirty Years' War. The conflict caused severe damage to Hesse-Darmstadt, notably from Swedish forces during the war.

He died on 27 July 1626 and was succeeded by his son, George II, Landgrave of Hesse-Darmstadt.

== Cultural References ==

In 1722, the astronomer Johann Georg Liebknecht, affiliated with the University of Gießen, named a star Sidus Ludoviciana, believing it to be a planet, in honor of Louis V.

== Family and Issue ==

Louis V was married to Magdalene of Brandenburg, daughter of John George, Elector of Brandenburg, by his third wife, Elisabeth of Anhalt-Zerbst. They had several children:

- Elisabeth Magdalene of Hesse-Darmstadt (23 April 1600 – 9 June 1624), married Louis Frederick, Duke of Württemberg-Montbéliard.

- Anne Eleonore of Hesse-Darmstadt (30 July 1601 – 6 May 1659).

- Sofie Agnes of Hesse-Darmstadt (12 January 1604 – 8 September 1664), married Johann Friedrich, Count Palatine of Sulzbach-Hilpoltstein.

- George II, Landgrave of Hesse-Darmstadt (17 March 1605 – 11 June 1661).

- Juliane of Hesse-Darmstadt (14 April 1606 – 15 January 1659), died in Hanover.

- Amalie of Hesse-Darmstadt (20 June 1607 – 11 September 1627), did not marry.

- John, Landgrave of Hesse-Braubach (17 June 1609 – 1 April 1651).

- Henry of Hesse-Darmstadt (1 April 1612 – 21 October 1629), did not marry nor have children.

- Hedwig of Hesse-Darmstadt (22 June 1613 – 2 March 1614), died young.

- Louis of Hesse-Darmstadt (12 September 1614 – 16 September 1614), died in infancy.

- Frederick of Hesse-Darmstadt (28 February 1616 – 19 February 1682).

== Ancestry ==

Further genealogical information is available, but specific details are not provided here.

== References ==

The biographical information is sourced from the Allgemeine Deutsche Biographie, particularly the entry on Ludwig V, available through Wikisource.