Dietrich IV of Limburg Hohenlimburg, born around 1375, was the second son Diederik III count of Limburg Hohenlimburg and Broich and Lukardis of Broich. He had an older sister Elisabeth and brother Willem I. Elisabeth married Dietrich IV of Volmestein. Willem married Metza of Reifferscheidt Erbin of Bedburg. Dietrich IV married Henrica of Wisch on 3 February 1415. Her father bannerlord Hendrik of Wisch and mother Elisabeth of Bronkhorst belonged to the most important nobility in Gelre. The bannerlords of Wisch had their castle Wisch on the old IJssel near Terborg.. Henrica had one younger sister Elisabeth married to Johan of Volmarstein. This created a double family ties between the Lower Rhine families Of Limburg, Of Volmarstein and the Gueldrian Of Wisch.
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Hohenlimburg and Broich inheritance
Dietrich IV was count of Limburg, lord of Broich and Vittinghove, guardian of Rellinghausen, Ambtman of Mülheim and settled at Broich castle. Brother Willem I chose domicile at castle Hohenlimburg. Dietrich performed his functions from Broich. At the division of inheritance on December 4, 1412, he retained free access to the Hohenlimburg ancestral castle, the county of Limburg and the right to challenge any opposing party to the free seat of Hohenlimburg. Broich castle with accompanying manor and tithes in Wülfrath were held jointly by both brothers. As well as preserving mutual rights to the Hohenlimburg. Dietrich IV died on January 16, 1444, outside Broich, during a feud with the Archbishop of Köln and Count of Gullick-Berg, who had conquered Broich after a siege.
Ambtman of Mülheim
On 21 February 1430 Dietrich IV became for Duke Adolf of Cleves of der Mark, Ambtman of Mülheim, successor of Henrick Stecke. This strengthened his dominant position around Broich. Besides the daily management of the seigniory with guarding the borders and game track, he was the recipient of the ducal income and annuities. Cared the administration of justice, the imposition of estimates, services and collection of fines. During wartime conditions, he formed an armed force with local knights to assist the duke. Alsom he concluded an agreement with the city of Duisburg to man the city walls during sieges.
Conflict over the succession of the Duchy of Guelders
In 1423 Reinald IV, Duke of Guelders and Jülich died without descendants. In Gelre, Arnold, Duke of Guelders son of Jan of Egmond was chosen as successor. Adolph I, Duke of Cleves became heir to most of the land of Jullich. An armed conflict arose about the succession in Gelre. Duke Adolf of Cleves sided with Arnold of Egmond. Opponents were the Duke of Berg with allies Gerhard of Cleves, brother of Adolf, Dietrich of Mors and the Archbishop of Cologne. Around 1430 there was an armed conflict in the border area between Cleves and Cologne, in which Count Dietrich IV of Limburg was involved. His castle Broich was located on the strategic border between the Duchy of Cleves, Duchy of Berg and the Archbishop of Cologne.
Loan bond with Duke of Cleves
Count Dietrich entered into a bond with the Duke of Cleves on 1 September 1432. While Broich, south of the River Ruhr, had previously been oriented to Cologne. Brother Dietrich dedicated the allodial lordship with Broich castle, the high and low jurisdiction, lands and fishing rights on the Ruhr to Cleves to receive it back as a fief from Duke Adolf. Broich became an open fortress for the Duke of Cleves. Men in the service of Dietrich had to pay tribute and swear the oath of allegiance to the duke. His brother William I also made his share of Broich, the upper house, available to the duke.