Sophia of Holstein-Gottorp

Sophia of Schleswig -Holstein - Gottorp ( born June 1, 1569 Gottorp, † November 14, 1634 in Schwerin ) was 1603-1608 de facto regent of the (partial) Duchy of Mecklenburg -Schwerin.

Life

Sophia was the eldest daughter of the Duke Adolf I of Holstein- Gottorp and his wife Christine of Hesse. She married on 17 February 1588 Reinbek Duke Johann VII of Mecklenburg. Johann was a weak ruler who did not understand it, to rule his debt-ridden and corrupt country. Sophia lived in almost poverty. Her husband stabbed himself in 1592 with seven stab wounds himself, initially in Duke Ulrich of Mecklenburg the regency. Sophia withdrew to her widow seat in Lübz, while the country fell by the administrators of Duke Ulrich rapidly.

Sophia managed the lands of their Wittums, the offices Rehna and Wittenburg extreme caution, sparingly and carefully. After the death of Duke Ulrich in 1603, was Duke Charles of Mecklenburg Schwerin Regent in part of the country Sophia entrusted with the task of managing the heritage of their sons. She strode energetically against the abuses of the previous administration. 1608 Duke Karl Sophia eldest son of the Emperor Rudolf II declared of age. Sophia's sons had been estranged from her mother for some time and once more drove a financial breakdown of the state budget, which the mother had rudimentary sorted.

The Dowager Duchess moved again back to Lübz. Their goods were guaranteed by Wallenstein, even if their sons had to leave the country in 1628 after the outlawry.

From Sophia, the two later Grand Ducal lines of Mecklenburg- Schwerin and Mecklenburg- Strelitz come from.

Progeny

Adolf, Duke of Holstein-Gottorp Johann VII, Duke of Mecklenburg Ulrich, Duke of Mecklenburg Charles I, Duke of Mecklenburg Rudolf II, Holy Roman Emperor John Albert II, Duke of Mecklenburg Allgemeine Deutsche Biographie Integrated Authority File
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