Johan II of East Frisia

Count Johann II ( born September 29, 1538 Aurich, † September 29, 1591 at the castle Stickhausen ) from the house of Cirksenas was from 1561 until his death in 1591 co-ruler of the county of Ostfriesland. He ruled jointly with his brother Edzard II.

In 1558, the primogeniture of Johann's mother, the Countess Anna was abolished, presumably to the looming influence of the house Wasa in the county curb, which, by the marriage of her eldest son Edzard with Catherine, the eldest daughter of the Swedish king Gustav I. had been established. Thus it increased Edzard his right to the exclusive dominion over the county, which de facto had a division of East Friesland result, because John took his mother Calvinist, Edzard II of the Lutheran faith.

Life

In 1559 Johann was taken by his brother with Edzard to his wedding to Stockholm, where he entered an affair with Cecilia, the sister of the bride and daughter of the Swedish king Gustav I.. He was caught and was nearly sentenced to death if he had not had the intercession of Queen Elizabeth I. John never married afterwards.

After the death of the second son Christopher in 1566, the previously resulting power struggle intensified among the brothers Johann and Edzard, significantly blocked the one hand, a nationwide exercise glorious power and nobility and the bourgeoisie strengthened Emden. But the fight between the brothers formed the other hand, ultimately the basis for the coexistence of the creeds in Ostfriesland: Since none of the two could prevail against the other, it was not possible to Edzard Lutherans to establish a Lutheran church.

After the death of John in 1591 Edzard II was sole ruler of the County of East Frisia, his authority had suffered greatly, however by the constant arguments. The weakening of the Graf house was a significant factor with regard to the so-called " Emden Revolution " leading differences.

Literature and sources

  • Tielke Martin (ed.): Biographical Dictionary of Ostfriesland. 3 volumes. East Frisian Scenic publishing and distribution company, Aurich 1993-1997, ISBN 3-925365-75-3 (vol. 1), ISBN 3-932206-00-2 (Vol. 2), ISBN 3-932206-22-3 (Bd. 3).
  • House Cirksenas
  • Graf ( Ostfriesland)
  • Ostfriese
  • Born in 1538
  • Died in 1591
  • Man
Stickhausen Castle House of Vasa Integrated Authority File
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