Nicolaus of Luxemburg was born in Prague, the illegitimate son of King John of Bohemia (John the Blind).
On August 2, 1342, Pope Clement VI had proclaimed him provost of the Diocese of Prague, following John's wish.
In the same year, Nicolaus was named canon of Vyšehrad.
In a document from 1348, Nicolaus calls himself dean of the church of Olmütz and royal chancellor.
Clement VI appoints Nicolaus bishop of Naumburg on January 7, 1349, as one of the opponents to Johann of Miltitz.
Nicolaus cannot stand his ground; possibly he was only nominated but never took the office.
On October 31, 1350, Nicolaus becomes the new patriarch of Aquileia.
In May 1351, Nicolaus arrives at Udine.
During his term of office, he plans to found a commercial center called "Carola" together with his half-brother, the future emperor Charles IV.
This project is not to be realized.
The very year of his establishment, he has to face an attack by Henry III, Count of Gorizia, who destroys Cassacco, and by Albert II of Austria, who occupies Carnia, Venzone, Udine, Gemona and besieges Cividale.
However, the patriarchate is able to escape by giving Venzone and some other castles to the Austrians.
At the end of 1351 and beginning of 1352, some noblemen are executed by order of the new patriarch.
The men are said to have participated in the murder of the patriarch’s predecessor, Bertram of St. Genesius, two years before.
In 1353, Charles IV consents to the erection of a studium generale at Cividale.
In October 1354, he visits the Patriarchate of Aquileia on his way to Rome.
During his stay, Nicolaus presents him a much sought-after relic, two pages of St. Marc’s gospel.
Nicolaus accompanies his half-brother on his way through Italy.
Like his predecessor, Nicolaus takes part in an alliance against the Republic of Venice with the counts of Gorizia, Francesco I da Carrara, lord of Padua, his half brother Charles IV, Louis I of Hungary and the dukes of Austria.
The league's troops occupy Grado and Muggia (1356), while Louis strips Venice of most of Dalmatia.
The siege of Treviso (July–September 1356) is a failure, but Venice suffers a severe defeat at Nervesa (January 13, 1358), being forced to cede Dalmatia and Croatia to Hungary.
Nicolaus dies at Belluno in 1358.
The cause is unknown—it is assumed, by sickness.
He is buried in Udine underneath the main altar of the church.
