John IV, Duke of Mecklenburg
Encyclopedia
John IV, Duke of Mecklenburg (before 1370 – 16 October 1422, Schwerin
) was sole ruler of the Duchy of Mecklenburg from 1384 to 1395 and co-regent from 1395 to 1422.
of Mecklenburg and his wife Elisabeth of Pommern-Wolgast. Ernst Boll
incorrectly calls him "John III" in his History of Mecklenburg, Part 1.
After the death of his father and his cousin Albert IV
(1383–1388), he ruled Mecklenburg jointly with his uncle Albert III (1384–1412). When Albert III was captured, he ruled as sole Regent until Albert's release in 1395. After his uncle's death, he ruled joinly with his uncle's two sons, Eric I
(† 1397) and Albert V
(1412–1423).
On 13 February 1419, he and Albert V of Mecklenburg and the Council of the City of Rostock founded the University of Rostock
, the first university in northern Germany and in the entire Baltic region.
He helped his uncle Albert III in the enforcement of the latter's rights as Swedish king. In this case, he probably acted as a leader of the Victual Brothers
.
This "Enis" is probably John IV.
, daughter of Duke Eric IV
of Saxe-Lauenburg. Catherine's first marriage had been with John VII
of Werle, who died in 1414.
He had two sons:
Schwerin
Schwerin is the capital and second-largest city of the northern German state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. The population, as of end of 2009, was 95,041.-History:...
) was sole ruler of the Duchy of Mecklenburg from 1384 to 1395 and co-regent from 1395 to 1422.
Life
John IV was the only son of the Duke Magnus IMagnus I, Duke of Mecklenburg
Magnus I, Duke of Mecklenburg was Duke of Mecklenburg from 1383 until his death. Magnus was the third son of Duke Albert II of Mecklenburg and his wife Euphemia, the sister of the King Magnus Eriksson of Sweden...
of Mecklenburg and his wife Elisabeth of Pommern-Wolgast. Ernst Boll
Ernst Boll
Ernst Friedrich August Boll was a German naturalist and historian. He was a brother to historian Franz Boll , with whom he worked with on numerous projects...
incorrectly calls him "John III" in his History of Mecklenburg, Part 1.
After the death of his father and his cousin Albert IV
Albert IV, Duke of Mecklenburg
Albert IV, Duke of Mecklenburg was co-regent of Mecklenburg from 1383 to 1388. He was the son of the Duke Henry III of Mecklenburg and Ingeborg of Denmark....
(1383–1388), he ruled Mecklenburg jointly with his uncle Albert III (1384–1412). When Albert III was captured, he ruled as sole Regent until Albert's release in 1395. After his uncle's death, he ruled joinly with his uncle's two sons, Eric I
Eric I, Duke of Mecklenburg
Eric I, Duke of Mecklenburg was Duke of Mecklenburg.Eric was the eldest son of Albert III, Duke of Mecklenburg and Richardis, a daughter of Count Otto I of Schwerin....
(† 1397) and Albert V
Albert V, Duke of Mecklenburg
Albert V, Duke of Mecklenburg was Duke of Mecklenburg from 1412 until his death.Albert V was the son of Albert III and Agnes, daughter of Duke Magnus of Brunswick. Albert III died in 1412 and, in accordance with an agreement with John IV, Agnes acted as guardian and regent for Albert V. In 1415...
(1412–1423).
On 13 February 1419, he and Albert V of Mecklenburg and the Council of the City of Rostock founded the University of Rostock
University of Rostock
The University of Rostock is the university of the city Rostock, in the German state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern.Founded in 1419, it is the oldest and largest university in continental northern Europe and the Baltic Sea area...
, the first university in northern Germany and in the entire Baltic region.
He helped his uncle Albert III in the enforcement of the latter's rights as Swedish king. In this case, he probably acted as a leader of the Victual Brothers
Victual Brothers
The Victual Brothers were a companionship of privateers who later turned to piracy. They were hired in 1392 by the Dukes of Mecklenburg to fight against Denmark, because the Danish Queen Margaret I had imprisoned Albrecht of Mecklenburg and his son in order to subdue the kingdom of Sweden...
.
This "Enis" is probably John IV.
Marriage and issue
He married twice: first with Countess Jutta of Hoya, who died in 1415 and secondly, in 1416, with CatherineCatherine of Saxe-Lauenburg, Duchess of Mecklenburg
Catherine of Saxe-Lauenburg , was Duchess of Saxe-Lauenburg by birth and by marriage Baroness of Werle-Güstrow and later Duchess of Mecklenburg and Regent from 1422 to 1436....
, daughter of Duke Eric IV
Eric IV, Duke of Saxe-Lauenburg
Eric IV of Saxe-Lauenburg was a son of Duke Eric II of Saxe-Lauenburg and Agnes of Schauenburg and Holstein-Plön, daughter of Count John III of Schauenburg and Holstein-Plön.-Life:...
of Saxe-Lauenburg. Catherine's first marriage had been with John VII
John VII of Werle
John VII of Werle-Güstrow was from 1395 to 1414 Lord of Werle-Güstrow. He was the second eldest son of Lorenz and Mechthild...
of Werle, who died in 1414.
He had two sons:
- Henry IVHenry IV, Duke of MecklenburgHenry IV, Duke of Mecklenburg was from 1422 to 1477 Duke of Mecklenburg.- Life :Henry IV of Mecklenburg, because of his obesity and lavish lifestyle also called the "Henry the Fat", was the son of the Duke John IV of Mecklenburg and Catherine of Saxe-Lauenburg.He inherited Mecklenburg when his...
, the Fat, Duke of Mecklenburg (1422–1477) - John VJohn V, Duke of MecklenburgJohn V of Mecklenburg was Duke of Mecklenburg from 1436 to 1442.John V of Mecklenburg was the son of the Duke John IV of Mecklenburg and Catherine of Saxe-Lauenburg...
, Duke of Mecklenburg (1422–1442)