Friedrich IV

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Kaiser Friedrich IV
Gender:	Male
Affiliation:	Galactic Empire
Occupation:	Kaiser of the Galactic Empire
Status:	Deceased (natural causes)
Died:	796 UC (487 IC / 3596 CE)
Children:	Amarie Christine Ludwig
Played by:	Saka Osamu

Friedrich von Goldenbaum IV (Japanese: フリードリヒ・フォン・ゴールデンバウム4世) was the 36th and penultimate kaiser of the Goldenbaum Dynasty, with most viewing him as a mediocre leader who did not pay much attention to politics. Appearing to be mostly indifferent to the concerns of the nobility, the kaiser was not worried about the fate of Galactic Empire. Emperor Friedrich understood Reinhard von Lohengramm's ambitions to seize the throne from his dynasty and had become the object of the young admiral's hatred since he made his sister, Annerose, one of his concubines. Nonetheless, in several instances he intervened in disputes on Reinhard's behalf, which caused many nobles to believe that Annerose exerted influence over the emperor to assist her brother. Despite these issues, Kaiser Friedrich's reign lasted over thirty years, which was unusual in the history of the Goldenbaums.

Kaiser Friedrich died of a heart attack in late 796 UC (487 IC / 3596 CE), setting off the chain of events that would lead to the Imperial Civil War between the high aristocrats and the supporters of Fleet Admiral Reinhard von Lohengramm. As both of his successors reigned for a brief period and were essentially puppets, Friedrich was considered to be the last "true" Goldenbaum sovereign, but due to his mediocrity he became known as the "Kaiser of the Ashes".

Contents 1 History 2 Motives 3 Appendices 3.1 Appearances 3.2 Apocrypha 3.2.1 Stage 3.2.2 Memorable quotes

History

Friedrich von Goldenbaum IV was the youngest son of the 35th Kaiser of the Galactic Empire, Otfried V, and originally held the title of Grand Duke. As such, he never intended (or prepared) to take the throne, and spent his younger years pursuing personal pleasure, to the point of almost being disowned. Before his father's death, his debts reached 540,000 Imperial Marks. A shopkeeper loaned him 22,000 Marks out of pity with the provision that the loan be repaid twenty-fold if Friedrich ended up gaining the throne. Not really expecting this to come true as Friedrich was then 3rd in line for the throne, the shopkeeper would later be astounded at events and at his repayment of 440,000 Marks. (Legend of Galactic Heroes Gaiden Volume 1: The Star Crusher: 'Cobweb')

In 761 UC (452 IC / 3561 CE), Otfried V's eldest son, Crown Prince Richard von Goldenbaum, was implicated in a plot to assassinate his father, and executed. Later in 764 UC (455 IC / 3564 CE), it was discovered that Richard had been innocent, and his younger brother, Grand Duke Clementz von Goldenbaum had framed him. Clementz died in an "accident" while attempting to flee to the Free Planets Alliance.

Otfried V died in 765 UC (456 IC / 3565 CE), passing on the throne to his youngest son, Friedrich. Friedrich had little interest in politics, so he left most matters of government to his Minister of State, Klaus von Lichtenlade. As of December 794 UC (485 IC / 3594 CE), there had been no domestic accomplishments of note after nearly 30 years on the throne. (LOGH: 'The Klopstock Incident', TBT: 'Part One', Legend of Galactic Heroes Encyclopaedia)

The wealth he initially inherited from his father was quickly spent on hobby construction projects and personal pleasure. (Legend of Galactic Heroes Gaiden Volume 1: The Star Crusher: 'Cobweb')

Friedrich IV had 13 children, but only 4 survived to adulthood. Another 2 died in adulthood including his only surviving son Ludwig, leaving his daughters Amarie and Christine as the only survivors. (Legend of Galactic Heroes Volume 1: Dawn)

Friedrich IV's unwillingness to properly govern the Galactic Empire resulted in several revolts against Imperial rule, such as the Castrop Rebellion, and at least one assassination attempt, the Klopstock Incident. When Friedrich died, he had no surviving male heirs, leaving the matter of Imperial succession up to debate — debate that would serve as a catalyst for the Imperial Civil War. Prime Minister Klaus von Lichtenlade and Reinhard von Lohengramm supported Friedrich's only direct male heir, his grandson, Erwin Joseph II, but most of the High Nobles supported either Elizabeth von Goldenbaum, Friedrich IV's eldest granddaughter, or Sabine von Littenheim, his younger granddaughter.

The ensuing civil war brought about the eventual collapse of the Goldenbaum Dynasty. Though the dynasty would see two additional Kaisers of the Goldenbaum line after Friedrich's death, they were both children who served as little more than puppets for Reinhard von Lohengramm, who wielded real political power. Friedrich IV was the last "true" Goldenbaum Kaiser, and his inaction ensured the doom of the Empire.

Motives

Although outwardly he seemed interested only in his own personal pleasure, he was aware that Reinhard had ambitions to usurp the throne. His continued promotion of Reinhard to ever higher rank in spite of this and his refusal to establish a clear designated successor suggested Friedrich IV was disinterested in the continued survival of the Goldenbaum Dynasty and was even setting the stage for a dramatic end to it. This may also have been his motive for him showing equal favour to the Braunschweig and Littenheim noble families. This balancing act, and avoiding provoking either family into revolt, may have been his strategy for staying in power. If so it worked well, as he had an unusually long reign of over 30 years. (Overture to a New War, LOGH: 'Cool, Clear Artificial Eyes', 'The Klopstock Incident')

Appendices

Appearances

Apocrypha

Stage

Friedrich IV is played by Hatsunori Hasegawa in the 2011 stage adaptation of LOGH.

Memorable quotes

1. "As with the genesis of the human race, there's no reason for the existence of the Goldenbaum dynasty. Just as there is no immortal person, I'm afraid there is also no indestructible nation. The evil truth may be that the Galactic Empire will die out in my era. At any rate, if it is to be destroyed, it should be destroyed as magnificently as possible."

v•d•e Monarchs of the Goldenbaum Dynasty

Rudolf • Sigismund I • Richard I • Otfried I • Kasper • Julius • Sigismund II • Otfried II • August I • Erich I • Richard II • Otto Heinz I • Richard III • August II • Erich II • Friedrich I • Leonhard I • Friedrich II • Leonhard II • Friedrich III • Maximilian Josef I • Gustav • Maximilian Josef II • Kornelias I • Manfred I • Helmut • Manfred II • Wilhelm I • Wilhelm II • Kornelias II • Otfried III • Erwin Josef I • Otfried IV • Otto Heinz II • Otfried V • Friedrich IV • Erwin Josef II • Katharin Kätchen

v•d•e Senior officials of the late Goldenbaum Dynasty
Monarchs	Friedrich IV • Erwin Josef II • Katharin Kätchen
Prime ministers	Klaus von Lichtenlade • Reinhard von Lohengramm
Chiefs of the military services	Gregor von Mückenberger • Ehrenberg • Steinhof • Klasen • Reinhard von Lohengramm
Others	Gerlach • Jürgen Offer von Pegnitz • Jochen von Remscheid