Sophie of Mecklenburg-Güstrow
Sophie of Mecklenburg-Güstrow (4 September 1557, Wismar – 14 October 1631, Nykoping) was a German queen of Denmark and Norway. She was the mother of King Christian IV of Denmark[1] and Anne of Denmark.
Life
She was the daughter of Duke Ulrich III of Mecklenburg-Güstrow and Princess Elizabeth of Denmark (a daughter of Frederick I and Sophie of Pomerania).[1][2] Sophie married her cousin, Frederick II of Denmark, when she was 14,[1] and he was 37.[1] The marriage was arranged by the Danish Council, which wished Frederick to marry. Their ages were very different, but their marriage was usually quiet and even happy.[1]
Queen Sophie was a loving mother, nursing her children herself when they were ill. Because her husband drank so much wine and led an unfaithful life, she sent her three oldest children to live with her parents in Güstrow, Germany, when they were young.
She showed a great interest in science and visited the astronomer Tycho Brahe. She was also interested in the old songs of folklore. Her daughter, Anne of Denmark, would marry James VI of Scotland and become Queen Consort in 1589. She arranged the marriage against the will of the Danish Council.
She died on 4 October 1631 at Nykøbing, Jutland, Denmark.[2]
Sophie Of Mecklenburg-Güstrow Media
Portrait miniature of a young Queen Sophie, aged approximately 23, in ca. 1580.
Sophie of Mecklenborg, newly widowed, in 1591.
Heinrich Rantzau, Governor of the Danish royal share in the Duchy of Holstein, who, having championed Dowager Queen Sophie’s regency in expectation of a pliable ruler, swiftly turned into her staunch opponent over the governance of the duchies.
Português coins minted in Haderslev 1591-93 by Sophie. A testament to her possession of actual state power, the coinage was vigorously protested by the Council.
Koldinghus Castle, where Queen Dowager Sophie resided and held court during her regency. In April 1594, the council dismissed the entirety of Sophie's royal household at Koldinghus, forcing her to leave.
Lithography of Nykøbing Castle, which was the seat of Queen Sophie's estate.
Portrait of Queen Sophie in c. 1610. The portrait is a remains of a lost full-length portrait painted by the Dutch painter Pieter Isaacsz.
Sophie in c. 1601, in a German collection of small-format portraits of 17th century European rulers.
Dowager Queen Sophie, aged 70 years old, painted by Jacob van Doordt in 1626. This is the last known portrait of Sophie before her death.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 "Rosenborg - Sophie (1557-1631)". rosenborgslot.dk. Retrieved 5 April 2010.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 "thePeerage.com - Person Page 10139". thepeerage.com. Retrieved 5 April 2010.