Charles I, Duke of Mecklenburg
Encyclopedia
Charles I, Duke of Mecklenburg[-Güstrow] (born: 28 December 1540 in Neustadt
; died: 22 July 1610 in Güstrow
), was the reigning Duke of Mecklenburg in the Mecklenburg-Güstrow
part of the country.
He was the youngest son of the Duke Albert VII
and his wife, Anna of Brandenburg. Between 1564 and 1610, Charles was administrator of the commandry of the Order of Saint John at Mirow
. After the deaths of his elder brothers John Albert I in 1576 and Ulrich in 1603, he became the ruling Duke of Mecklenburg-Güstrow from 14 March 1603 until his death. He also acted as guardian and regent for his nephews John Albert II
and Adolf Frederick I, who had inherited Mecklenburg-Schwerin
from John Albert I in 1576. Between 1592 and 1610, he was also administrator of the Bishopric of Ratzeburg
.
When in 1603 John VII of Mecklenburg-Schwerin died, Charles I tasked John's widow, Sophia of Schleswig-Holstein-Gottorp with the guardianship and regency of Mecklenburg-Schwerin on behalf of her minor sons Adolf Frederick I and John Albert II
. In 1608, Charles asked the emperor to declare Adolf Frederick I an adult.
Neustadt-Glewe
Neustadt-Glewe is a German town, in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, in the district of Ludwigslust-Parchim.-Sights and monuments:* The Alte Burg, a 13th-century castle, considered to be the oldest military castle in Mecklenburg....
; died: 22 July 1610 in Güstrow
Güstrow
Güstrow is a town in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Germany the capital of the district of Güstrow. It has a population of 30,500 and is the seventh largest town in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. Since 2006 Güstrow has the official suffix Barlachstadt.-Geography:The town of Güstrow is located...
), was the reigning Duke of Mecklenburg in the Mecklenburg-Güstrow
Mecklenburg-Güstrow
Mecklenburg-Güstrow was a state of the Holy Roman Empire in Northern Germany, that existed on three separate occasions ruled by the House of Mecklenburg at Güstrow.-History:...
part of the country.
He was the youngest son of the Duke Albert VII
Albert VII, Duke of Mecklenburg
Albrecht VII, the Handsome, Duke of Mecklenburg in Gustrow , was a minor ruler in North Germany of the 16th century...
and his wife, Anna of Brandenburg. Between 1564 and 1610, Charles was administrator of the commandry of the Order of Saint John at Mirow
Mirow
Mirow is a city in the district of Mecklenburgische Seenplatte in southern Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Germany.-Geography:Mirow lies in the middle of the Mecklenburg Lake District on the southern shore of Lake Mirow, which is connected to the Müritz and the Havel by a system of lakes, rivers,...
. After the deaths of his elder brothers John Albert I in 1576 and Ulrich in 1603, he became the ruling Duke of Mecklenburg-Güstrow from 14 March 1603 until his death. He also acted as guardian and regent for his nephews John Albert II
John Albert II, Duke of Mecklenburg
John Albert II, Duke of Mecklenburg[-Güstrow] was a Duke of Mecklenburg. From 1608 to 1611, he was the nominal ruler of Mecklenburg-Schwerin; the actual ruler being the regent, his great-uncle Charles I. From 1611 to 1621 John Albert and his brother Adolf Frederick I jointly ruled the whole...
and Adolf Frederick I, who had inherited Mecklenburg-Schwerin
Mecklenburg-Schwerin
Mecklenburg-Schwerin was a duchy in northern Germany created in 1348, when Albert II of Mecklenburg and his younger brother John were raised to Dukes of Mecklenburg by King Charles IV...
from John Albert I in 1576. Between 1592 and 1610, he was also administrator of the Bishopric of Ratzeburg
Bishopric of Ratzeburg
The Bishopric of Ratzeburg , centered on Ratzeburg in Northern Germany, was originally a suffragan to the Archdiocese of Hamburg, which transformed into the Archdiocese of Bremen in 1072.- History :...
.
When in 1603 John VII of Mecklenburg-Schwerin died, Charles I tasked John's widow, Sophia of Schleswig-Holstein-Gottorp with the guardianship and regency of Mecklenburg-Schwerin on behalf of her minor sons Adolf Frederick I and John Albert II
John Albert II, Duke of Mecklenburg
John Albert II, Duke of Mecklenburg[-Güstrow] was a Duke of Mecklenburg. From 1608 to 1611, he was the nominal ruler of Mecklenburg-Schwerin; the actual ruler being the regent, his great-uncle Charles I. From 1611 to 1621 John Albert and his brother Adolf Frederick I jointly ruled the whole...
. In 1608, Charles asked the emperor to declare Adolf Frederick I an adult.