EBERHARD, fi'bilr-hiirt. tar PART ( 1445-96 ) . The fifth Comit and first Duke of Wfirttemberg. He was the son of Count Louis the Elder, and succeeded his brother at the age of twelve: at fourteen lie wrested the government from his uncle Ulrich. who had been appointed his guar dian. He paid no attention to government affairs, but indulged his passions and led a dissipated life. In 1468 he made a pilgrimage to Jeru salem. after which he abandoned his reckless mode of living, and ruled well. He married Bar tiara of Mantua, whose influence over him con tributed largely to the elevation of his character. Ile began to study, gathering around him men of learning, and founded, in 1477. the University of Tilbingen. In 1482 Eberhard. by the Treaty of Miinsitam, put an end to the division of his principality, made in 1437 between his father and his uncle Ulrich as representatives of the two lines of Urach and Stuttgart. By this
treaty lie secured the future integrity of Wtirt temberg and estildished the right of primogeni ture in his own family: he became at the same time the founder of the representative Consti tution of Wiirttemberg. Ile made Stuttgart his place of residence, and improved the conditions of the convents in his territories. Although he pre ferred peace, lie was Nis „our. age and his fidelity to his engagements secured the esteeth aid friendship of the emperors Frederick III. and Maximilian 1. In recognition of his ser vices the latter, in 1•95. raised Eberhard to the dignity of duke, confirming at the same time all the possessions and prerogatiVeS of his house. He died February 24. 1496. Consult Bossert, Eberhard ills Burt (Stuttgart, 1884).