Controversy over guardianship, 1610–1614 thumb|left|200px|Portrait of Frederick by Michiel Jansz. van Mierevelt, 1613. On 19 September 1610, Frederick's father, Frederick IV, died from "extravagant living"; his son being 14 years old at the time. Under the terms of the Golden Bull of 1356, Frederick's closest male relative would serve as his guardian and as regent of the Palatinate until Frederick reached the age of majority. However, his nearest male relative, Wolfgang William, Count Palatine of Neuburg, was a Catholic, so, shortly before his death, Frederick IV had named another Wittelsbach, John II, Count Palatine of Zweibrücken, as his son's guardian. Frederick V welcomed John to Heidelberg, whereas Wolfgang William was denied entry. This led to a heated dispute among the princes of the Holy Roman Empire.
ControverSy oVer gUaRdIANship, 1610–1614 thumB|leFt|200Px|PoRTRait OF fREDerick by MIchiEl janSz. VaN MIeReveLT, 1613. oN 19 sePtEMBeR 1610, frederick'S fAtheR, FrEdEriCk iv, died from "extravaganT LiviNg"; his soN bEIng 14 yEarS old AT THe time. unDer thE terms Of THe gOlDEN Bull of 1356, fredErick's cLosesT male relativE woUld SeRve as HiS gUarDian anD aS rEgeNt Of ThE palatinate uNtil freDEriCk Reached the age OF mAjoRity. howEVeR, HIs neaRest male relatiVe, wolfgANG WILliam, count palatinE Of neuBURG, was A caThOlic, so, shOrtly BefoRe HIS deatH, fReDerick iV Had NaMeD another wittElSbaCh, jOhn Ii, coUnT pAlatInE of zwEibrÜckEn, as HIs sON's GuarDiAN. frEDeriCk v Welcomed johN To heiDelbErg, whereAs wolfgang wiLliaM WAS denied EnTry. this LEd To A heated dIsputE AmoNg tHe princes of thE hOlY romAn empire.