On This Day

Frederick V crowned king of Bohemia

Frederick V (German: Friedrich V.; 26 August 1596 – 29 November 1632) was the Elector Palatine of the Rhine in the Holy Roman Empire from 1610 to 1623, and reigned as King of Bohemia from 1619 to...

Frederick V (German: Friedrich V.; 26 August 1596 – 29 November 1632) was the Elector Palatine of the Rhine in the Holy Roman Empire from 1610 to 1623, and reigned as King of Bohemia from 1619 to 1620. He was forced to abdicate both roles, and the brevity of his reign in Bohemia earned him the derisive sobriquet "the Winter King" (Czech: Zimní král; German: Winterkönig).

Frederick was born in Deinschwang, Palatinate at the hunting lodge (Jagdschloss), Germany. He was the son of Frederick IV and of Louise Juliana of Orange-Nassau, the daughter of William the Silent and Charlotte de Bourbon-Montpensier.

Historical Significance

Frederick V (German: Friedrich V.

Events Before

  1. German astronomer Johannes Kepler discovers the third of his three planetary laws, the "harmonic law"

    German astronomer Johannes Kepler discovers the third of his three planetary laws, the "harmonic law"

  2. Second Defenestration of Prague: Two Catholic Lords Regent and their secretary are thrown out of a window and amazingly

    Second Defenestration of Prague: Two Catholic Lords Regent and their secretary are thrown out of a window and amazingly are not seriously injured by the 70 foot (21m) fall. Triggers the Thirty Years' War.

  3. Captain John Gilbert patents first dredger in Britain

    Captain John Gilbert patents first dredger in Britain

  4. Prince Maurits' troops pull into Utrecht

    Prince Maurits' troops pull into Utrecht

  5. "Rodi" avalanche destroys Plurs, Switzerland, and kills 1500

    "Rodi" avalanche destroys Plurs, Switzerland, and kills 1500

Events After

  1. Pilgrim Fathers depart Leiden, Netherlands, for England on their way to America

    Pilgrim Fathers depart Leiden, Netherlands, for England on their way to America

  2. The Mayflower sets sail from Southampton, England, with 102 Pilgrims bound for the New World

    Mayflower was an English square-rigged merchant sailing ship, active from before 1609 until 1622. Her tonnage was 180+, and she was 110 feet long and 25 feet in the beam, with several decks.

  3. The Mayflower departs Plymouth, England, with 102 Pilgrims and about 30 crew for the New World [O.S. Sep 6]

    The Mayflower departs Plymouth, England, with 102 Pilgrims and about 30 crew for the New World [O.S. Sep 6]

  4. Great Patent granted to Plymouth Colony

    The Pilgrims, also known as the Pilgrim Fathers, were the English settlers who travelled to North America on the ship Mayflower and established the Plymouth Colony at what now is Plymouth,...

  5. Mayflower Compact is signed by Pilgrims at Cape Cod, establishing the first framework of government in the territory tha

    Mayflower Compact is signed by Pilgrims at Cape Cod, establishing the first framework of government in the territory that is now the USA [N.S. Nov 21]

More from the 1610s

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened on November 4, 1619?
Frederick V (German: Friedrich V.; 26 August 1596 – 29 November 1632) was the Elector Palatine of the Rhine in the Holy Roman Empire from 1610 to 1623, and reigned as King of Bohemia from 1619 to 1620. He was forced to abdicate both roles, and the brevity of his reign in Bohemia earned him the derisive sobriquet "the Winter King" (Czech: Zimní král; German: Winterkönig). Frederick was born in Deinschwang, Palatinate at the hunting lodge (Jagdschloss), Germany.
Why is Frederick V crowned king of Bohemia significant?
Frederick V (German: Friedrich V.

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