Sophia was the eldest daughter of Duke Adolph of Holstein-Gottorp and his wife Christine of Hesse. She married on 17 February 1588 in Reinbek to Duke John VII of Mecklenburg. John was a weak ruler who was unable to rule his indebted and corrupt country. Sophia almost lived in poverty.
In 1592, her husband stabbed himself with seven stab wounds. Initially, Duke Ulrich of Mecklenburg took up the regency and Sophia retreated to her widow's seat in Lübz. The country visibly declined during the administration of governors sent by Duke Ulrich.
Sophia administered her wittum, the districts of Rehna and Wittenburg very cautiously, economically and carefully. After Duke Ulrich died in 1603, Duke Charles I asked Sophia to administer Mecklenburg-Schwerin on behalf of her underage sons. She took up the challenge and acted energetically against the abuses of the previous administration. She managed to improve the Duchy's financial situation.
In 1608, Duke Charles I asked the emperor to declare Sophia's eldest son an adult. Her sons had been estranged from her for some time. During their reign, the country descended into financial chaos again. Sophia returned to Lübz. In 1628, Wallenstein conquered Mecklenburg and forced her sons to leave the country. However, he left her in peace.
Sophia died on 14 November 1634. The later Grand Dukes of Mecklenburg-Schwerin and Mecklenburg-Strelitz all descend from her.
Issue
Adolf Frederick I, Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin from 1592 to 1628 and from 1631 to 1658
John Albert II, Duke of Mecklenburg-Güstrow from 1592 to 1628 and from 1631 to 1636
sophia, holstein, gottorp, sophia, schleswig, holstein, gottorp, june, 1569, gottorf, castle, november, 1634, schwerin, regent, duchy, mecklenburg, schwerin, from, 1603, 1608, sophia, schleswig, holstein, gottorpduchess, sophia, mecklenburg, schwerinborn1, jun. Sophia of Schleswig Holstein Gottorp 1 June 1569 at Gottorf Castle 14 November 1634 in Schwerin was regent of the Duchy of Mecklenburg Schwerin from 1603 to 1608 Sophia of Schleswig Holstein GottorpDuchess Sophia of Mecklenburg SchwerinBorn1 June 1569Gottorf CastleDied14 November 1634 1634 11 14 aged 65 SchwerinNoble familyHouse of Holstein GottorpSpouse s John VII Duke of MecklenburgFatherAdolf Duke of Holstein GottorpMotherChristine of Hesse Contents 1 Life 2 Issue 3 Ancestors 4 ReferencesLife EditSophia was the eldest daughter of Duke Adolph of Holstein Gottorp and his wife Christine of Hesse She married on 17 February 1588 in Reinbek to Duke John VII of Mecklenburg John was a weak ruler who was unable to rule his indebted and corrupt country Sophia almost lived in poverty In 1592 her husband stabbed himself with seven stab wounds Initially Duke Ulrich of Mecklenburg took up the regency and Sophia retreated to her widow s seat in Lubz The country visibly declined during the administration of governors sent by Duke Ulrich Sophia administered her wittum the districts of Rehna and Wittenburg very cautiously economically and carefully After Duke Ulrich died in 1603 Duke Charles I asked Sophia to administer Mecklenburg Schwerin on behalf of her underage sons She took up the challenge and acted energetically against the abuses of the previous administration She managed to improve the Duchy s financial situation In 1608 Duke Charles I asked the emperor to declare Sophia s eldest son an adult Her sons had been estranged from her for some time During their reign the country descended into financial chaos again Sophia returned to Lubz In 1628 Wallenstein conquered Mecklenburg and forced her sons to leave the country However he left her in peace Sophia died on 14 November 1634 The later Grand Dukes of Mecklenburg Schwerin and Mecklenburg Strelitz all descend from her Issue EditAdolf Frederick I Duke of Mecklenburg Schwerin from 1592 to 1628 and from 1631 to 1658 John Albert II Duke of Mecklenburg Gustrow from 1592 to 1628 and from 1631 to 1636 Anna Sophie 1591 1648 Ancestors EditAncestors of Sophia of Holstein Gottorp16 Dietrich Count of Oldenburg8 Christian I of Denmark17 Helvig of Schauenburg4 Frederick I of Denmark18 John Margrave of Brandenburg Kulmbach9 Dorothea of Brandenburg19 Barbara of Saxe Wittenberg2 Adolf Duke of Holstein Gottorp20 Eric II Duke of Pomerania10 Bogislaw X Duke of Pomerania21 Sophia of Pomerania Stolp5 Sophie of Pomerania22 Casimir IV Jagiellon11 Anna Jagiellon23 Elizabeth of Austria1 Sophia of Holstein Gottorp24 Louis II Landgrave of Lower Hesse12 William II Landgrave of Hesse25 Mechthild of Wurttemberg Urach6 Philip I Landgrave of Hesse26 Magnus II Duke of Mecklenburg13 Anna of Mecklenburg Schwerin27 Sophie of Pomerania Stettin3 Christine of Hesse28 Albert III Duke of Saxony14 George Duke of Saxony29 Sidonie Podiebrad7 Christine of Saxony30 Casimir IV Jagiellon 22 15 Barbara Jagiellon31 Elizabeth of Austria 23 References EditKrause 1892 Sophie Allgemeine Deutsche Biographie ADB in German vol 34 Leipzig Duncker amp Humblot pp 674 676 This article about a German duchess is a stub You can help Wikipedia by expanding it vte Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Sophia of Holstein Gottorp amp oldid 1133942931, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
