Sophia I, Abbess of Gandersheim
Encyclopedia
Sophia I also known as Sophie I, was Abbess of Gandersheim and an important kingmaker
of the medieval Germany.
, and Empress Theophanu
. Since the age of four or five, Sophia was raised and educated in the Gandersheim Abbey
. She was raised to become abbess of Gandersheim since childhood. Her father's first cousin, Abbess Gerberga II, taught her convent discipline and common law, both of which she mastered.
. From 995 until 997, Sophia was absent from the convent, accompanying her brother and acting as his consort. She acted as abbess of Eschwege from 997. In 1001, Abbess Gerberga II died. However, due to her brother's death, Sophia was not to be elected until 1002, with the approval of Henry II, Holy Roman Emperor
. Her consecration was protracted by Sophia's demand to be consecrated by the Archbishop of Mainz, instead of the Bishop of Hildesheim who usually consecrated abbesses of Gandersheim. She was finally consecrated in 1002 by both the archbishop of Mainz and the bishop of Hildesheim. Sophia would later fight her ecclesiastical superiors who, with approval of Emperor Henry II, endangered Gandersheim's privilges and her own status.
, Sophia significantly influenced the election of Henry II as King of the Romans
and legitimazing him in 1024, when he visited Vreden and Quedlinburg. Sophia and her sister would play the same role in election of Conrad II
as Holy Roman Emperor.
, eventually granted her the right to rule Gandersheim too.
Kingmaker
Kingmaker is a term originally applied to the activities of Richard Neville, 16th Earl of Warwick — "Warwick the Kingmaker" — during the Wars of the Roses in England. The term has come to be applied more generally to a person or group that has great influence in a royal or political succession,...
of the medieval Germany.
Early life
Sophia was the eldest daughter born to Otto II, Holy Roman EmperorOtto II, Holy Roman Emperor
Otto II , called the Red, was the third ruler of the Saxon or Ottonian dynasty, the son of Otto the Great and Adelaide of Italy.-Early years and co-ruler with Otto I:...
, and Empress Theophanu
Theophanu
Theophanu , also spelled Theophania, Theophana or Theophano, was born in Constantinople, and was the wife of Otto II, Holy Roman Emperor.-Family:...
. Since the age of four or five, Sophia was raised and educated in the Gandersheim Abbey
Gandersheim Abbey
Gandersheim Abbey is a former house of secular canonesses in the present town of Bad Gandersheim in Lower Saxony, Germany. It was founded in 852 by Duke Liudolf of Saxony, progenitor of the Liudolfing or Ottonian dynasty, whose rich endowments ensured its stability and prosperity.The "Imperial...
. She was raised to become abbess of Gandersheim since childhood. Her father's first cousin, Abbess Gerberga II, taught her convent discipline and common law, both of which she mastered.
Reign as princess-abbess
Sophia received many grants of rights and property by her father and brother, Otto III, Holy Roman EmperorOtto III, Holy Roman Emperor
Otto III , a King of Germany, was the fourth ruler of the Saxon or Ottonian dynasty of the Holy Roman Empire. He was elected King in 983 on the death of his father Otto II and was crowned Holy Roman Emperor in 996.-Early reign:...
. From 995 until 997, Sophia was absent from the convent, accompanying her brother and acting as his consort. She acted as abbess of Eschwege from 997. In 1001, Abbess Gerberga II died. However, due to her brother's death, Sophia was not to be elected until 1002, with the approval of Henry II, Holy Roman Emperor
Henry II, Holy Roman Emperor
Henry II , also referred to as Saint Henry, Obl.S.B., was the fifth and last Holy Roman Emperor of the Ottonian dynasty, from his coronation in Rome in 1014 until his death a decade later. He was crowned King of the Germans in 1002 and King of Italy in 1004...
. Her consecration was protracted by Sophia's demand to be consecrated by the Archbishop of Mainz, instead of the Bishop of Hildesheim who usually consecrated abbesses of Gandersheim. She was finally consecrated in 1002 by both the archbishop of Mainz and the bishop of Hildesheim. Sophia would later fight her ecclesiastical superiors who, with approval of Emperor Henry II, endangered Gandersheim's privilges and her own status.
Kingmaking
Together with her younger sister Adelheid I, Abbess of QuedlinburgAdelheid I, Abbess of Quedlinburg
Adelaide I was Abbess of Quedlinburg and Gandersheim, as well as highly influential kingmaker of medieval Germany.- Early life :...
, Sophia significantly influenced the election of Henry II as King of the Romans
King of the Romans
King of the Romans was the title used by the ruler of the Holy Roman Empire following his election to the office by the princes of the Kingdom of Germany...
and legitimazing him in 1024, when he visited Vreden and Quedlinburg. Sophia and her sister would play the same role in election of Conrad II
Conrad II, Holy Roman Emperor
Conrad II was Holy Roman Emperor from 1027 until his death.The son of a mid-level nobleman in Franconia, Count Henry of Speyer and Adelaide of Alsace, he inherited the titles of count of Speyer and of Worms as an infant when Henry died at age twenty...
as Holy Roman Emperor.
Death
In 1011, Sophia was granted the Abbey of Essen. She ruled her abbeys successfully until her death in 1039. Despite being helped by the sisters, Conrad II denied Adelheid's request to succeed Sophia as Abbess of Gandersheim. Henry III, Holy Roman EmperorHenry III, Holy Roman Emperor
Henry III , called the Black or the Pious, was a member of the Salian Dynasty of Holy Roman Emperors...
, eventually granted her the right to rule Gandersheim too.