Enno II, Count of East Frisia
Encyclopedia
Enno II of East Frisia was the son of Edzard I of East Frisia. In 1528 he became count of East Frisia
. For most of his life he ruled together with Johan I of East Frisia
, who remained catholic
, while Enno was lutheran.
Enno II lost Jever
because he failed to fulfill the marriage obligations his father had arranged for him. Enno and his brother Johan were supposed to marry the heirs of Jever, but Enno broke off the arrangement, which greatly offended Mary of Jever, who as a result became a life-long enemy of Enno. She made sure that Jever was given to Oldenburg
after her death.
Enno also voluntarily relinquished Butjadingen
at his marriage to Anna of Oldenburg
(1501–1575). Only Harlingerland
remained, ruled by the aggressive chieftain
, Balthasar Oomkens von Esens
. Enno drove out Balthasar in 1530, but he returned and devastated East Frisia with help from the duke of Guelders. Enno was forced to recognise Balthasar as Chieftain of Harlingerland
. Enno did not come out well from his feud with Guelders.
Enno played an important role in the attacks on the numerous East Frisian abbeys and monasteries. He confiscated their possessions to finance his wars. Enno died at the age of 35, and his wife Anna of Oldenburg
became regentes for their sons
County of East Frisia
The County of East-Frisia was a county in the region of East Frisia in the north-west of the present day German state of Lower Saxony.-County:...
. For most of his life he ruled together with Johan I of East Frisia
Johan I of East Frisia
Johan I of East Frisia was a member of the house of Cirksena and a non-reigning Count of East Frisia and later imperial governor of Limburg. His father, Edzard the Great, had introduced primogeniture in the county of East Frisia, so that his older brother Enno II of East Frisia inherited the...
, who remained catholic
Catholic
The word catholic comes from the Greek phrase , meaning "on the whole," "according to the whole" or "in general", and is a combination of the Greek words meaning "about" and meaning "whole"...
, while Enno was lutheran.
Enno II lost Jever
Jever
Jever is the capital of the district of Friesland in Lower Saxony, Germany. The name Jever is usually associated with a major brand of beer which is produced here, the city is also a popular holiday resort. Jever was granted city status in 1536. Unofficially Jever is sometimes referred to as...
because he failed to fulfill the marriage obligations his father had arranged for him. Enno and his brother Johan were supposed to marry the heirs of Jever, but Enno broke off the arrangement, which greatly offended Mary of Jever, who as a result became a life-long enemy of Enno. She made sure that Jever was given to Oldenburg
Oldenburg
Oldenburg is an independent city in Lower Saxony, Germany. It is situated in the western part of the state between the cities of Bremen and Groningen, Netherlands, at the Hunte river. It has a population of 160,279 which makes it the fourth biggest city in Lower Saxony after Hanover, Braunschweig...
after her death.
Enno also voluntarily relinquished Butjadingen
Butjadingen
Butjadingen is a peninsula and municipality in the Wesermarsch districts, in Lower Saxony, Germany.-Geography:Butjadingen is situated on the German North Sea coast. It is bordered on the west and southwest by the Jade River and on the east by the Weser River. It forms the northern part of the...
at his marriage to Anna of Oldenburg
Anna of Oldenburg
Anna of Oldenburg was a Countess consort of East Frisia as the spouse of Count Enno II of East Frisia. She was the Regent of East Frisia in 1540/42-1561 as the guardian for her minor sons. Her reign lasted until 1561 and was generally supported by the Estates...
(1501–1575). Only Harlingerland
Harlingerland
The Harlingerland is a strip of land on the North Sea coast of East Frisia. Whilst, today, the whole of the district of district of Wittmund is usually described as Harlingerland, historically it is specifically used to refer to the northern part of the present district, which formed the old...
remained, ruled by the aggressive chieftain
Chieftain
Chieftain may refer to:The leader or head of a group:* a tribal chief or a village head.* a member of the 'House of chiefs'.* a captain, to which 'chieftain' is etymologically related.* Clan chief, the head of a Scottish clan....
, Balthasar Oomkens von Esens
Balthasar Oomkens von Esens
Balthasar Oomkens von Esens was an East Frisian nobleman who died during the siege of his castle in Esens by the Bremen army. He was described by his partisans as the last true Frisian freedom fighter, although some decried his seemingly insatiable appetite for violence.-Biography and...
. Enno drove out Balthasar in 1530, but he returned and devastated East Frisia with help from the duke of Guelders. Enno was forced to recognise Balthasar as Chieftain of Harlingerland
Harlingerland
The Harlingerland is a strip of land on the North Sea coast of East Frisia. Whilst, today, the whole of the district of district of Wittmund is usually described as Harlingerland, historically it is specifically used to refer to the northern part of the present district, which formed the old...
. Enno did not come out well from his feud with Guelders.
Enno played an important role in the attacks on the numerous East Frisian abbeys and monasteries. He confiscated their possessions to finance his wars. Enno died at the age of 35, and his wife Anna of Oldenburg
Anna of Oldenburg
Anna of Oldenburg was a Countess consort of East Frisia as the spouse of Count Enno II of East Frisia. She was the Regent of East Frisia in 1540/42-1561 as the guardian for her minor sons. Her reign lasted until 1561 and was generally supported by the Estates...
became regentes for their sons
Children
- Elisabeth, 1531–1555, married in 1553 count Johann V of Schaumburg-Pinneberg (1531–1560)
- Edzard II, 1532–1599
- Hedwig, 1535 - 1616, married in 1562 to duke Otto II of Brunswick-HarburgOtto II, Duke of Brunswick-HarburgOtto II of Brunswick-Harburg, nicknamed the Younger, or the Famous was from 1549 until his death of Duke of Brunswick-Harburg.- Life :...
(1528–1603) - Anna, 1534–1552
- Christoffel, 1536–1566
- Johan IIJohan II of East FrisiaCount Johan II of East Frisia was a member of the House of Cirksena and from 1561 until his death in 1591 co-regent of the county of East Frisia...
, 1538 - 1591.