Count John II "the Mad" of Rietberg (born: after 1523 – died: 11 December 1562 in Cologne), called "the Great," was the son of Count Otto III of Rietberg and his second wife, Onna Esens.
When his father died in 1535, John had to share the County of Rietberg with his older half-brother Otto IV. After Otto IV died childless in 1553, John II ruled Rietberg alone.
In 1556, John illegally beheaded one of his own officials in Rietberg and schemed against the victim's relatives who had profited from the official's misbehaviour. The relatives fled to the neighbouring County of Lippe. From there, they and a few faithful raided Rietberg. John then moved his mercenaries from Esens to Rietberg and attacked Count Bernhard VIII of Lippe. The army of Lippe responded by laying siege to the town of Rietberg. The Bishopric of Paderborn joined the attack on Rietberg. Lippe, Paderborn and East Frisia also sued each other in the court of the Lower Rhenish-Westphalian Circle. The Court found John guilty of a breach of the peace.
John refused to give in. Imperial troops joined the siege of Rietberg and in June 1557, the city was starved and had to capitulate. John was taken prisoner. Initially, he was held at the Imperial castle at Büderich (near Wesel); in 1560, he was transferred to Cologne, where he died in captivity in 1562 and was buried.
His pugnacity and power struggles earned him he nickname "John the Mad".
Marriage and issueedit
Armgard and Walburgis of Rietberg, detail of a family portrait by Hermann tom Ring
John married Countess Agnes of Bentheim-Steinfurt. They had two daughters:
John II was thus the last male ruler of Rietberg from the Werl-Arnsberg-Cuyk family. After his death, his widow acted as regent for his daughters until 1557, when the inheritance was divided: Armgard received Rietberg and Walburgis received the Harlingerland.
john, count, rietberg, this, article, includes, list, general, references, lacks, sufficient, corresponding, inline, citations, please, help, improve, this, article, introducing, more, precise, citations, april, 2022, learn, when, remove, this, message, count,. This article includes a list of general references but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations Please help to improve this article by introducing more precise citations April 2022 Learn how and when to remove this message Count John II the Mad of Rietberg born after 1523 died 11 December 1562 in Cologne called the Great was the son of Count Otto III of Rietberg and his second wife Onna Esens John II of RietbergBornafter 1523Died 1562 12 11 11 December 1562CologneBuriedCologneNoble familyWerl Arnsberg CuykSpouse s Agnes of Bentheim SteinfurtIssueArmgard WalburgisFatherOtto III Count of RietbergMotherOnna Esens After his uncle Balthasar Oomkens von Esens died in 1540 without a male heir John and his mother inherited the East Frisian Lordship of Harlingerland and John assumed the title of Lord of Esens Stedesdorf and Wittmund When his father died in 1535 John had to share the County of Rietberg with his older half brother Otto IV After Otto IV died childless in 1553 John II ruled Rietberg alone In 1556 John illegally beheaded one of his own officials in Rietberg and schemed against the victim s relatives who had profited from the official s misbehaviour The relatives fled to the neighbouring County of Lippe From there they and a few faithful raided Rietberg John then moved his mercenaries from Esens to Rietberg and attacked Count Bernhard VIII of Lippe The army of Lippe responded by laying siege to the town of Rietberg The Bishopric of Paderborn joined the attack on Rietberg Lippe Paderborn and East Frisia also sued each other in the court of the Lower Rhenish Westphalian Circle The Court found John guilty of a breach of the peace John refused to give in Imperial troops joined the siege of Rietberg and in June 1557 the city was starved and had to capitulate John was taken prisoner Initially he was held at the Imperial castle at Buderich near Wesel in 1560 he was transferred to Cologne where he died in captivity in 1562 and was buried His pugnacity and power struggles earned him he nickname John the Mad Marriage and issue edit nbsp Armgard and Walburgis of Rietberg detail of a family portrait by Hermann tom Ring John married Countess Agnes of Bentheim Steinfurt They had two daughters Armgard died 1584 Countess of Rietberg married Count Simon VI of Lippe Walburgis born c 1557 in Rietberg died 26 May 1586 in Esens Countess of Harlingerland married Count Enno III of East Frisia John II was thus the last male ruler of Rietberg from the Werl Arnsberg Cuyk family After his death his widow acted as regent for his daughters until 1557 when the inheritance was divided Armgard received Rietberg and Walburgis received the Harlingerland External links editHermann tom Ring 1564 Portrait of the family of Count Johann II of Rietberg Fig 4 Biography John II Count of RietbergWerl Arnsberg CuykBorn c 1557 Died 26 May 1587 Preceded byOtto IV Count of Rietberg1552 1562 Succeeded byArmgard Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title John II Count of Rietberg amp oldid 1122989849, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
