Background
He was the son of Adolph I, Duke of Cleves and Mary of Burgundy.
He was the son of Adolph I, Duke of Cleves and Mary of Burgundy.
He fought 3 wars with the Electorate of Cologne and finally defeated Ruprecht of the Palatinate, conquering the cities of Xanten and Soest. He also took sides in the Münster Diocesan Feud supporting the aspirations of the House of Hoya to the episcopacy in Münster. In 1473 he helped the Burgundian Duke Charles the Bold conquer the Duchy of Guelders.