In 1254, he succeeded his father together with his brotherLouis II inBavaria and thePalatinate.The brothers divided their land in 1255 against the law. Henry receivedLower Bavaria and LouisUpper Bavaria and thePalatinate. It was the first of many divisions of theduchy. Henry resided inLandshut and, in 1255, the work for the main castle ofBurghausen Castle was begun.
As the division of the duchy was against the law, it caused anger of the Bishops in Bavaria who allied withOttokar II of Bohemia in 1257. In August 1257, Ottokar invaded Bavaria, but Henry and Louis managed to repulse the attack. It was one of the rare concerted and harmonious actions of both brothers who often argued. Henry was also later several times at war against thePrince-Archbishopric of Salzburg and thePrince-Bishopric of Passau. During the conflict of KingRudolph I of Germany with Ottokar II, Duke Henry repeatedly changed allegiance. Later, it was with his help that theFürstenzell Abbey was founded in 1274.
During Duke Henry's reign, the Bavarian Peace Ordinances were put into place in his domains, stating, "Anyone out of doors at night without a lantern is violating the peace and is suspect of crime." The ordinances extend further for the city of Landshut that anyone carrying a sword or dagger by day or night was liable to heavy penalties.[1]
Henry XIII was succeeded by his oldest sonOtto III, who also became King of Hungary. Henry's branch died out in 1340 and was inherited by Louis' son EmperorLouis IV.
Arnold, Benjamin (2004).Power & Property in Medieval Germany Economic and Social Change 900-1300. New York: Oxford University Press.ISBN978-0-19-927221-1.
Klaniczay, Gábor (2002).Holy Rulers and Blessed Princesses: Dynastic Cults in Medieval Central Europe. Translated by Palmai, Eva. Cambridge University Press.
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