William V of Cleves
Duke of Jülich-Cleves-Berg and ruler of one of the Lower Rhine’s most important territorial groupings. His inheritance eventually provoked an international crisis when his son died without children.
This complete profile is available in English. Bibliographic titles retain their original language. Links marked ES open the Spanish edition.
Key details
Birth: 28 July 1516 Documented
Death: 5 January 1592 Documented
Role: Duke
Dynasty: La Marck · ES
Territories: Jülich (ES) · Cleves (ES) · Berg (ES) · Mark (ES) · Ravensberg (ES)
Recorded relationships
Their titles over time
Follow the changing territories and offices of William V of Cleves. Each title retains its own status.
Governments in 1539
- JülichDuke
View titles and jurisdictions
- Jülich · ESDuke · Effective rule1539–1592
- ClevesDuke
View titles and jurisdictions
- Cleves · ESDuke · Effective rule1539–1592
- BergDuke
View titles and jurisdictions
- Berg · ESDuke · Effective rule1539–1592
- MarkCount
View titles and jurisdictions
- Mark · ESCount · Effective rule1539–1592
- RavensbergCount
View titles and jurisdictions
- Ravensberg · ESCount · Effective rule1539–1592
Annual dates: overlap within one year does not prove that two offices were held on the same day. Regencies and co-rulerships retain their labels.
Sources for this profile
Biographical and contextual references in their original language. Sources and methodology.
Evidence for this profile
10 recorded claims · 1 without a claim-specific source. Context references do not by themselves verify every fact.
Dates (2/2 with a precise source)
- BirthDocumented
28 July 1516
The authority record gives the birth as 1516-07-28. - DeathDocumented
5 January 1592
The authority record gives the death as 1592-01-05.
Family and relationships (2/3 with a precise source)
- FatherDocumented
John III of Cleves
The authority record identifies John III of Cleves (GND 140832165) as father. - MotherPending review
Maria of Jülich-Berg
A precise source has not yet been added. - Marriage or partnershipDocumented
Maria of Austria
The authority record identifies Maria of Austria (GND 137351682) as spouse.
Governments (5/5 with a precise source)
- GovernmentInferred
Duke · Jülich · 1539–1592
The duchies and counties retained separate institutions. Possession in 1614 was provisional and the definitive partition followed in 1666; Mark and Ravensberg have no separate geometry. - GovernmentInferred
Duke · Cleves · 1539–1592
The duchies and counties retained separate institutions. Possession in 1614 was provisional and the definitive partition followed in 1666; Mark and Ravensberg have no separate geometry. - GovernmentInferred
Duke · Berg · 1539–1592
The duchies and counties retained separate institutions. Possession in 1614 was provisional and the definitive partition followed in 1666; Mark and Ravensberg have no separate geometry. - GovernmentInferred
Count · Mark · 1539–1592
The duchies and counties retained separate institutions. Possession in 1614 was provisional and the definitive partition followed in 1666; Mark and Ravensberg have no separate geometry. - GovernmentInferred
Count · Ravensberg · 1539–1592
The duchies and counties retained separate institutions. Possession in 1614 was provisional and the definitive partition followed in 1666; Mark and Ravensberg have no separate geometry.
Biographical and contextual references (1)
Editorial history
- 2026-10-12 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.
- 2026-10-08 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.
- 2026-10-04 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.
- 2026-10-04 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.
- 2026-10-03 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.
- 2026-09-30 · The duchy is limited to Dijon and Autun; each other fief now enters the map only under its dated ruler. John III of Namur and the Nevers/Rethel branch were added. The previous shape combined later counties and unrelated lands as if all belonged to the duchy from 1363.
- 2026-09-28 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.