View source for Wilhelm V, Duke of Bavaria (1548-1626)

[[File:William-v.jpg|300px|thumb|right|''Wilhelm V, Duke of Bavaria 

Source: [http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Main_Page Wikipedia Commons] Wikipedia Commons 

'']]     Wilhelm V, called the Pious (<em>der Fromme</em>): reigned as Duke of [[Bayern Federal State (Germany)|Bavaria]] from 1579 to 1597; born 29 September 1548, the son of [[Albrecht V, Duke of Bavaria (1528-1579)|Albrecht V, Duke of Bavaria]] and Anna of Austria.  He succeeded his father as duke upon his father’s death in 1579.  He abdicated in 1597, retiring into a monastery, and was succeeded by his son Maximilian I (1573-1651).

Wilhelm V was a vigorous opponent of the [[Reformation, Protestant|Reformation]], and under strong Jesuit influence, a bitter persecutor of heretics and also of witches. On 27 February 1587 he issued a mandate ordering the arrest of [[Anfang, Wastl (d. 1602)|Wastl Anfang]] and [[Zuckenhammer, Hans (d. 1598)|Hans Zuckenhammer]], offering 100 guilders for their capture, but in vain.
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