Sophie of Saxe-Lauenburg

Sophie of Saxe-Lauenburg
Spouse(s)	Gerhard VII, Duke of Jülich-Berg
Noble family	House of Ascania
Father	Bernard II, Duke of Saxe-Lauenburg
Mother	Adelheid of Pomerania
Born	before 1444
Died	9 September 1473(1473-09-09)

Sophie of Saxe-Lauenburg (born: before 1444; died: 9 September 1473) was a Duchess of Saxe-Lauenburg by birth and by marriage Duchess of Jülich-Berg. From 1456 until her death, she was regent of Jülich, Berg and Ravensberg for her eldest son.

Life

Sophie was the daughter of Duke Bernard II of Saxe-Lauenburg († 1463) from his marriage to Adelheid (who died after 1445), a daughter the Duke Bogislaw VIII of Pomerania.

in 1444, she married in 1444 Duke Gerhard VIII of Jülich-Berg, Count of Ravensberg (born: 1416 or 1417; died: 1475). In approximately 1456, Gerhard lapsed into insanity and Sophie took over the reins of government in the Duchy as regent for her firstborn son.

In 1470, she was libelled by Frederick of Sombreff. Her sons responded by besieging his Tomburg Castle and setting it on fire. Sophie later rebuilt the castle.

Marriage and issue

Sophie from her marriage had the following children:

• William IV (1455–1511), Duke of Jülich-Berg

married firstly, in 1472, Countess Elisabeth of Nassau-Saarbrücken (1459-1479)

married secondly, in 1481, Margravine Sibylle of Brandenburg (1467-1524)

• Anna

married Count Johann of Moers and Saarwerden (died in 1507)

• Adolph (1458–1470)
• Gerhard (died young)

References

• Gisela Meyer: Die Familie von Palant im Mittelalter, Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht, 2004, p. 370
• Historischer Verein für den Niederrhein, insbesondere die Alte Erzdiözese Köln: Annalen des Historischen Vereins für den Niederrhein, insbesondere die Alte Erzdiözese Köln, J. P. Bachem, Cologne, 1856, p. 65 (online)