Did he Really Do it? Frederick V of Ptuj – Coward or Victim?

Abstract

The article addresses the brief 13th century dispute be- tween the Styrian noble families of Ptuj (German: Pettau) and Liechtenstein. The related texts should be considered as some of the earliest still preserved examples of medi- eval propaganda of one Styrian family against an other. The paper’s purpose is to highlight the most important narrative source of the time, Ottokar aus der Gaal’s Sty- rian Rhyme Chronicle. This Chronicle was written by a Liechtenstein vasal, and was meant to portray Frederick V of Ptuj as a coward – specifically during the battle on the Marchfeld. The article discusses the reason behind and the course of the feud, the actual accusation of cow- ardice, the validity of the accusation and lastly the epi- logue of the whole dispute between the parties. Both of the Styrian nobles involved – Otto II of Liechtenstein and Frederick V of Ptuj – obviously came to an agreement sometime in the early 1280s and sealed hostilities with a marriage of their children.