Johann VII, Duke of Mecklenburg
John VII, Duke of Mecklenburg [- Schwerin ] ( born March 7, 1558 Güstrow, † March 22, 1592 in Stargard ), was reigning Duke of Mecklenburg in Schwerin part of the country from 1576 to 1592.
Life
John was the second son of Duke Johann Albrecht I of Mecklenburg. His older brother Albert, however, was in 1561 died at the age of five years. After his father's death he took over under the tutelage of his uncle Ulrich the government in Schwerin part of the Duchy of Mecklenburg. His guardian, signed in the name of John the Formula of Concord of 1577 and the Book of Concord of 1580th After John had been declared on 12 September 1585 for mature, he reigned alone.
On March 21, 1592, he added himself seven stab wounds in, in consequence of which he died on the day. Already in 1590 it was the government burden too heavy a burden and he was determined to resign and leave the country. This was due to disputes with his uncle Christopher, the administrator of the diocese of Ratzeburg, who constantly demanded more land. The suicide was immediately followed on an argument with his uncle.
Because suicide was a sin and should be veiled with Johann, 1604, several women from Schwerin were accused as witches, including Catharina Wankelmod, which was later burned at the stake, and Margaret Schultze, who was acquitted after a five -year process 1609.
After John's death, his son Adolf Friedrich was successor in Schwerin part of the country, and his son Johann Albrecht initially co-ruler, according to Ulrich's death in 1603, Duke in Guestrower part of the country.
Marriage and children
On February 17, 1588 he was married to Sophia of Schleswig -Holstein - Gottorp, daughter of Duke Adolf I von Schleswig-Holstein - Gottorp ( born January 11, 1569 † February 6, 1634 ). The couple had three children:
- Adolf Frederick I (* 1588, † 1658), Duke of Mecklenburg [- Schwerin ] 1592-1628, 1631-1658
- Johann Albrecht II (* 1590, † 1636), Duke of Mecklenburg [- Güstrow ] 1610-1628, 1631-1636
- Anna Sophie of Mecklenburg (* 1591, † 1648)