Marek Ironside (Merveilles des Morte)

Marek Ironside
Marek Ironside at Mühlberg, 1528
Duke of Livonia
Reign	1493-1525
Coronation	5 January 1594 in Riga
Predecessor	Henry I
Successor	James III
Born	5 September 1451 Prague, Bohemia, Kingdom of Germany
Died	1 October 1525
Issue	James III Charles I Katherine
House	Přemyslid dynasty
Father	Henry VIII, Holy Roman Emperor
Mother	Unknown
Religion	Roman Catholicism

Marek I (5 September 1451 - 1 October 1525), often known as Marek Ironside, was Duke of Livonia from 1493 to his death in 1525. During the later half of his life Marek served as the principle commander of Imperial and Bohemian forces, and was the chief military commander on behalf of Catholicism in the Holy Roman Empire during the early Protestant Reformation.

As the youngest son and eleventh child overall of Henry VIII, Holy Roman Emperor, Marek was an unsuspecting growing up with little interest in governance. He was notably absent from the imperial cabinet of his father, and was disregarded as a soldier due to his small stature and unimposing demeanor. With the death of his father in 1493, due to the late emperor's numerous acquired titles during his lifetime, Marek unexpectedly became Duke of Livonia. His military career began during the imperial reign of his older brother Ottokar I, when Marek fought during the Nuremberg War on the side of the Emperor and Roman Catholicism. After the Diet of Munich in 1510 he became the Grand Marshall of the Holy Roman Empire, and one of the most outspoken opponents of Jungism.

During the Bayreuth Wars, now in his 60s and still personally commanding forces, Marek Ironside earned his nickname for his impressive feats of bravery and resilience. Despite the rest of his alliance being routed or captured, Marek continued on to capture the city of Regensburg, defeating famed Jungist commander Hugh the Heir, while remaining undefeated himself. When Ottokar himself was captured and used to threaten the Bohemian army into submission, Marek refused to surrender and instead continued fighting alone toward a desirable peace. His military career would take him across the Empire, and also to France on behalf of Jaromir I. In 1525 Marek would die of natural causes at the age of 74, and would be regarded as one of the best generals the Empire ever employed.