Ludwig II King of Bavaria
Ludwig II (Ludwig Friedrich Wilhelm Wittelsbach) (25 August, 1845, Munich - 13 June, 1886, Lake Starnberg) was the fourth King of Bavaria. Ludwig was a member of the House of Wittelsbach, and the eldest son of King Maximilian II of Bavaria, and Queen Marie Hohenzollern of Prussia. Ludwig is most well known for his extravigant building projects in Bavaria, the palaces of Linderhof, Neuschwanstein, and Schloss Herrenchiemsee, the cost of which was cited as part of the basis for his removal from power in 1886 on medical grounds. Shortly after he was deposed he died mysteriously in Lake Starnberg, on the outskirts of Munich.
Family
Relationships
Paul Taxis
Engagement to Sophie
Richard Wagner
Role in creation of German Reich
Building Projects
Insanity
Ludwig was removed from power in 1886 because of a report by a medical commission of four doctors, led by Dr. Bernhard von Gudden which stated that he was suffering from paranoia, a condition now known as paranoid schizophrenia.
Deposed
Upon his removal from power and imprisonment at the family estate, Berg, on the shores of Lake Starnberg, Ludwig's younger brother Otto became King of Bavaria. Due to a similar mental condition, Otto was also unable to rule. Therefore, Ludwig's uncle, Luitpold, ruled as Prince Regent of Bavaria.
Death
Shortly after Ludwig's arrest, both he and Dr. von Gudden died mysteriously in Lake Starnberg, near Munich. The cause of Ludwig's death has not been determined, but the three most common theories are assassination, accidental death while trying to escape, and murder/suicide. Ludwig is interred at Saint Michaels Church in Munich.