Frederick III (of Germany), called Frederick the Fair (c. 1286-1330), Habsburg king of Germany (1314-1322). The son of the German King Albert I, Frederick became Duke of Austria in 1306 and was elected King of Germany by a minority of electors in 1314; the majority favoured Louis IV, Duke of Bavaria. After eight years of conflict, Louis defeated and imprisoned (1322) Frederick, but later released (1325) him and recognized him as co-ruler. His authority, however, was limited to Austria.
