Anne of Hardenberg
Encyclopedia
Anne Corfitzdatter of Hardenberg (Anne Corfitzdatter Rønnow gift Hardenberg) (died 1588) was a Danish noblewoman. She served as a lady-in-waiting to the Dowager Queen Dorothea of Denmark
from 1559–1572 and was the mistress to Frederick II
.
, Queen Dorothea's eldest son, when he was a Crown Prince. He fell in love with her and wanted to marry her. However, a marriage was already planned between her and Oluf Mouritsen Krognos, (1535–1573) Chancellor of the Realm (Rigsråder fra Danmark). When Frederick assumed the throne of Denmark, he attempted once more to marry Anne. Frederick's desire to marry a lady of the court was met with widespread opposition. The nobility and the king's advisors believed it an imprudent match, as it might incite jealousy and accusations of favoritism among relatives and other court families. It is not known how Anne of Hardenberg herself felt about the king, but she, too, advised Frederick against the marriage.
Finally, in 1571, the king relented and was betrothed instead his young cousin Sophie of Mecklenburg-Güstrow. He apparently wished for his first love to approve of the match before going through with the betrothal, as he organized a meeting between himself, his future mother-in-law, the Duchess Elizabeth, and Anne. After the meeting, Anne wrote to her close friend, Birgitte Gøye
, "God knows I am so happy and calm in my heart as I have not been in many years."
Shortly after the royal marriage, Anne of Hardenberg married her old suitor, Oluf Krognos. They were married on January 11, 1573 in Church of Our Lady
(Vor Frue Kirke) in Copenhagen
. Unfortunately, he died six months after the wedding on June 25, 1573. She lived at her dowry, the Bregentved Estate outside Haslev
in Zealand. Anne managed to keep her husband's family's financial support with the assistance of the royal family, especially the king's sister, Anna, Electress of Saxony.
Dorothea of Saxe-Lauenburg
Dorothea of Saxe-Lauenburg , consort of Christian III from 1525 and Queen consort of Denmark and Norway. She was daughter of Duke Magnus I of Saxe-Lauenburg and Catherine, daughter of Henry IV, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg...
from 1559–1572 and was the mistress to Frederick II
Frederick II of Denmark
Frederick II was King of Denmark and Norway and duke of Schleswig from 1559 until his death.-King of Denmark:Frederick II was the son of King Christian III of Denmark and Norway and Dorothea of Saxe-Lauenburg. Frederick II stands as the typical renaissance ruler of Denmark. Unlike his father, he...
.
Biography
Of high nobility, Anne was the daughter of Erik Corfitz of Hardenberg and Mette Christiernsdatter Skram. Anne first got to know Frederick IIFrederick II of Denmark
Frederick II was King of Denmark and Norway and duke of Schleswig from 1559 until his death.-King of Denmark:Frederick II was the son of King Christian III of Denmark and Norway and Dorothea of Saxe-Lauenburg. Frederick II stands as the typical renaissance ruler of Denmark. Unlike his father, he...
, Queen Dorothea's eldest son, when he was a Crown Prince. He fell in love with her and wanted to marry her. However, a marriage was already planned between her and Oluf Mouritsen Krognos, (1535–1573) Chancellor of the Realm (Rigsråder fra Danmark). When Frederick assumed the throne of Denmark, he attempted once more to marry Anne. Frederick's desire to marry a lady of the court was met with widespread opposition. The nobility and the king's advisors believed it an imprudent match, as it might incite jealousy and accusations of favoritism among relatives and other court families. It is not known how Anne of Hardenberg herself felt about the king, but she, too, advised Frederick against the marriage.
Finally, in 1571, the king relented and was betrothed instead his young cousin Sophie of Mecklenburg-Güstrow. He apparently wished for his first love to approve of the match before going through with the betrothal, as he organized a meeting between himself, his future mother-in-law, the Duchess Elizabeth, and Anne. After the meeting, Anne wrote to her close friend, Birgitte Gøye
Birgitte Gøye
Birgitte Gøye was a Danish county administrator, lady in waiting, landholder and noble, co-founder and principal of Herlufsholm School....
, "God knows I am so happy and calm in my heart as I have not been in many years."
Shortly after the royal marriage, Anne of Hardenberg married her old suitor, Oluf Krognos. They were married on January 11, 1573 in Church of Our Lady
Church of Our Lady (Copenhagen)
The Church of Our Lady is the cathedral of Copenhagen and the National Cathedral of Denmark. It is situated on Vor Frue Plads and next to the main building of the University of Copenhagen....
(Vor Frue Kirke) in Copenhagen
Copenhagen
Copenhagen is the capital and largest city of Denmark, with an urban population of 1,199,224 and a metropolitan population of 1,930,260 . With the completion of the transnational Øresund Bridge in 2000, Copenhagen has become the centre of the increasingly integrating Øresund Region...
. Unfortunately, he died six months after the wedding on June 25, 1573. She lived at her dowry, the Bregentved Estate outside Haslev
Haslev
Haslev, a town in Faxe municipality, lies in the southern part of Zealand, Denmark. About from Copenhagen, it has a population of 11,088 .Haslev is popularly known as the school town with the green surroundings...
in Zealand. Anne managed to keep her husband's family's financial support with the assistance of the royal family, especially the king's sister, Anna, Electress of Saxony.