Eberhard III (c. 1364 – 16 May 1417), nicknamed the Mild (German: der Milde), was Count of Württemberg from 1392 until his death in 1417.
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Life
Eberhard was born in 1364, probably in Stuttgart, to Ulrich of Württemberg and Elisabeth of Bavaria, daughter of Emperor Louis IV. Ulrich, who was expected to inherit the County from his father, Eberhard II, was killed at the Battle of Döffingen during Württemberg's struggle with the Swabian League of Cities. Consequently, Eberhard succeeded upon his grandfather's death on 15 March 1392.
Eberhard's reign was noted by a peace-preserving policy of alliances with the neighboring principalities and imperial towns. Examples are an alliances with 14 Upper-Swabian towns, concluded 27 August 1395 and the Marbachs alliance in 1405. An important military success was the victory against the Schlegel-Gesellschaft in 1395 near Heimsheim.
Eberhard's most significant and long-lasting territorial acquisition was the County of Montbéliard in present-day Franche-Comté. On 13 November 1397, he concluded a marriage contract for his son Eberhard IV and Henriette, Countess of Montbéliard, granddaughter of Stephen of Montfaucon. Eberhard ruled Montbéliard until 1409, when he delegated authority to his son.
Eberhard died in Göppingen on 16 May 1417 and was buried in the Stiftskirche of Stuttgart.