Germany: Icon of Frederick III (1289-1330), King of Germany, from the book Icones imperatorvm romanorvm, ex priscis numismatibus ad viuum delineatae, & breui narratione historica, 1645

Frederick III (1289-1330), also known as Frederick the Handsome and Frederick the Fair, was the second son of King Albert I, thereby making him part of the Habsburg dynasty. He was made Duke of Austria and Styria in 1298 alongside his brother Rudolph III, becoming sole ruler after his brother died in 1307. He was originally a close friend to his cousin Louis IV of Wittelsbach, but they became enemies later in life.

When Emperor Henry VIII died in 1313, Frederick became a candidate for the throne, alongside his cousin Louis. Frederick received four out of seven elector votes, but a second election the next day saw Louis IV elected with five votes. Both were quickly crowned and became engaged in a civil war to see who would become the sole king of the Holy Roman Empire. Frederick was on the verge of victory when he was decisvely beaten in 1322 and taken prisoner by Louis, who held him captive for three years.

Frederick eventually recognised Louis' legitimacy in 1325 and vowed to convice his younger brothers, who still refused to acknowledge Louis, to submit or else he would return himself to captivity. When he failed to convince his brother Leopold to surrender, he returned to Munich as Louis' prisoner, who was so impressed by Frederick's gesture that he freed him and made a new pact to rule the Empire jointly in 1325. Frederick would officially govern as King of Germany, while Louis was crowned Holy Roman emperor. Frederick withdrew from his regency in 1326, returning to rule only Austria and Styria, though he was still considered King of Germany till his death in 1330.

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