Magdalene of Jülich-Cleves-Berg
Encyclopedia
Duchess Magdalene of Jülich-Cleves-Berg (2 November 1553 – 30 August 1633) was the fifth child of Duke William "the rich" of Jülich-Cleves-Berg and Maria of Austria, a daughter of Emperor Ferdinand I
.
She married in 1579 with Count Palatine John I the lame
of Zweibrücken. Emperor Charles V
had in 1546 granted the Duchy of Jülich-Cleves-Berg the right of female succession. So, when her brother, Duke John William
, died in 1609 without a male heir of his own, both her and William's daughters could play a vital role in the question of who would inherit the important North West German territory. Magdalene's husband John claimed the inheritance for Palatinate-Zweibrücken
, as did the Elector of Brandenburg, John Sigismund
, who was married to Anna
, a daughter of Magdalena's sister Marie Eleonore (John Sigismund claimed his a marriage contract from 1573 gave him the best claim). The third claimant was Count Palatine Philip Louis
of Neuburg, the husband of Magdalen's other sister Anna. Finally, the Duchy of Saxony claimed Jülich-Cleves-Berg, based on an agreement to that effect with the Emperor.
Since all claimants were members of comprehensive European coalitions and so the Habsburgs and France were indirectly involved, and international conflict threatened: the War of the Jülich succession
. However, after King Henry IV of France
died, the conflict could be settled provisionally be the Treaty of Xanten
. The duchy was divided between Brandenburg
and Palatinate-Neuburg
. In the meantime, Magdalena's husband had died in 1604 and his claim had been inherited by her eldest son John II
(1584-1635), who did not receive a share under the Treaty of Xanten.
Margareta's daughter Elisabeth (1581-1637) married Georg Gustav, Count Palatine of Pfalz-Veldenz. She had two younger sons: Frederick Casimir
(1585-1645) and John Casimir (1589-1652).
She died in 1633 and was buried in the Reformed Church of Meisenheim
.
Ferdinand I, Holy Roman Emperor
Ferdinand I was Holy Roman Emperor from 1558 and king of Bohemia and Hungary from 1526 until his death. Before his accession, he ruled the Austrian hereditary lands of the Habsburgs in the name of his elder brother, Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor.The key events during his reign were the contest...
.
She married in 1579 with Count Palatine John I the lame
John I, Count Palatine of Zweibrücken
John I of Zweibrücken was Count Palatine and Duke of Zweibrücken during 1569-1604.He was born in Meisenheim as the second son of Wolfgang, Count Palatine of Zweibrücken and his wife Anna of Hesse. In 1588 he changed the state religion from Lutheranism to Calvinism...
of Zweibrücken. Emperor Charles V
Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor
Charles V was ruler of the Holy Roman Empire from 1519 and, as Charles I, of the Spanish Empire from 1516 until his voluntary retirement and abdication in favor of his younger brother Ferdinand I and his son Philip II in 1556.As...
had in 1546 granted the Duchy of Jülich-Cleves-Berg the right of female succession. So, when her brother, Duke John William
John William, Duke of Julich-Cleves-Berg
John William of Jülich-Cleves-Berg was a Duke of Jülich-Cleves-Berg.His parents were William the Rich, Duke of Jülich-Cleves-Berg and Maria of Austria , a daughter of Ferdinand I, Holy Roman Emperor and Anna of Bohemia and Hungary. He grew up and was educated in Xanten. John William became...
, died in 1609 without a male heir of his own, both her and William's daughters could play a vital role in the question of who would inherit the important North West German territory. Magdalene's husband John claimed the inheritance for Palatinate-Zweibrücken
Palatinate-Zweibrücken
Palatinate-Zweibrücken is a former state of the Holy Roman Empire. Its capital was Zweibrücken.-Overview:→ History before 1394 see main article County of Zweibrücken→ History before 1444 see main article County of Veldenz...
, as did the Elector of Brandenburg, John Sigismund
John Sigismund
John Sigismund may refer to:* John Sigismund, Elector of Brandenburg* John II Sigismund Zápolya, King of Hungary and Prince of Transylvania...
, who was married to Anna
Anna of Prussia
Duchess Anna of Prussia and Jülich-Cleves-Berg was the daughter of Albert Frederick, Duke of Prussia, and Marie Eleonore of Cleves. She became the spouse of John Sigismund, Elector of Brandenburg.-Biography:...
, a daughter of Magdalena's sister Marie Eleonore (John Sigismund claimed his a marriage contract from 1573 gave him the best claim). The third claimant was Count Palatine Philip Louis
Philip Louis, Count Palatine of Neuburg
Philip Louis of Neuburg was the Duke of Palatinate-Neuburg from 1569 until 1614.-Life:Philip Louis was born in Zweibrücken in 1547 as the eldest son of Wolfgang, Count Palatine of Zweibrücken. After his father's death in 1569, his lands were partitioned between Philip Louis and his four brothers -...
of Neuburg, the husband of Magdalen's other sister Anna. Finally, the Duchy of Saxony claimed Jülich-Cleves-Berg, based on an agreement to that effect with the Emperor.
Since all claimants were members of comprehensive European coalitions and so the Habsburgs and France were indirectly involved, and international conflict threatened: the War of the Jülich succession
War of the Jülich Succession
The War of the Jülich Succession was a conflict that began in 1609 and ended in 1614 with the signing of the Treaty of Xanten.-Background:...
. However, after King Henry IV of France
Henry IV of France
Henry IV , Henri-Quatre, was King of France from 1589 to 1610 and King of Navarre from 1572 to 1610. He was the first monarch of the Bourbon branch of the Capetian dynasty in France....
died, the conflict could be settled provisionally be the Treaty of Xanten
Treaty of Xanten
The Treaty of Xanten was signed in the Lower Rhine town of Xanten on November 12, 1614 between Wolfgang William, Duke of Palatinate-Neuburg and John Sigismund, Elector of Brandenburg, with representatives from England and France serving as mediators....
. The duchy was divided between Brandenburg
Margraviate of Brandenburg
The Margraviate of Brandenburg was a major principality of the Holy Roman Empire from 1157 to 1806. Also known as the March of Brandenburg , it played a pivotal role in the history of Germany and Central Europe....
and Palatinate-Neuburg
Palatinate-Neuburg
Palatinate-Neuburg is a former territory of the Holy Roman Empire, founded in 1505. Its capital was Neuburg an der Donau. Its area was about 2,750 km², with a population of some 100,000.-History:...
. In the meantime, Magdalena's husband had died in 1604 and his claim had been inherited by her eldest son John II
John II, Count Palatine of Zweibrücken
John II the Younger was the Duke of Zweibrücken from 1604 until 1635.-Life:John was born in Bergzabern in 1584 as the eldest son of John I, Count Palatine of Zweibrücken and his wife, Magdalene. He succeeded his father in 1604. In 1606 he acquired the County of Bischweiler in Alsace...
(1584-1635), who did not receive a share under the Treaty of Xanten.
Margareta's daughter Elisabeth (1581-1637) married Georg Gustav, Count Palatine of Pfalz-Veldenz. She had two younger sons: Frederick Casimir
Frederick Casimir, Count Palatine of Zweibrücken-Landsberg
Frederick Casimir was the Duke of Landsberg from 1604 until 1645.-Life:Frederick was born in Zweibrücken in 1585 as the second son of John I, Count Palatine of Zweibrücken and Magdalene of Jülich-Cleves-Berg...
(1585-1645) and John Casimir (1589-1652).
She died in 1633 and was buried in the Reformed Church of Meisenheim
Meisenheim
Meisenheim is a town in the district of Bad Kreuznach, in Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany. It is situated on the river Glan, approx. 25 km south-west of Bad Kreuznach.Meisenheim is the seat of the Verbandsgemeinde Meisenheim....
.