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John Sigismund(German:Johann Sigismund;8 November 1572 – 23 December 1619) was aPrince-electorof theMargraviate of Brandenburgfrom theHouse of Hohenzollern.He became theDuke of Prussiathrough his marriage toDuchess Anna,the eldest daughter ofDuke Albert Frederick of Prussiawho died without sons. Their marriage resulted in the potential creation ofBrandenburg-Prussia,which became a reality after Poland's leader appointed John Sigismund in charge of Prussia in regency and, shortly thereafter, Albert Frederick died without an able, direct male heir.
John Sigismund | |
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![]() Portrait (unknown artist, c. 1610) | |
Elector of Brandenburg | |
Reign | 18 July 1608 – 23 December 1619 |
Predecessor | Joachim Frederick |
Successor | George William |
Duke of Prussia | |
Reign | 28 August 1618 – 23 December 1619 |
Predecessor | Albert Frederick |
Successor | George William |
Born | Halle,Archbishopric of Magdeburg,Holy Roman Empire | 8 November 1572
Died | 23 December 1619 Berlin,Electorate of Brandenburg,Holy Roman Empire | (aged 47)
Burial | |
Spouse | |
Issue more... |
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House | Hohenzollern |
Father | Joachim Frederick, Elector of Brandenburg |
Mother | Catherine of Brandenburg-Küstrin |
Religion | Lutheran(until 1613) Calvinist(since 1613) |
Signature | ![]() |
Elector of Brandenburg and Duke of Prussia
editJohn Sigismund was born inHalle an der SaaletoJoachim III Frederick, Elector of Brandenburg,and his first wifeCatherine of Brandenburg-Küstrin.He succeeded his father asMargrave of Brandenburgin 1608. In 1611, John Sigismund traveled fromKönigsbergtoWarsaw,where on 16 November 1611 he gavefeudal homagetoSigismund III Vasa,King of Poland(the Duchy of Prussia was a Polish fief at the time). He officially became Duke of Prussia in 1618, although he had served as regent on behalf of the mentally-disturbedAlbert Frederick, Duke of Prussia,for several years prior. He suffered a stroke in 1616 from which he didn't recover and died in 1619.
John Sigismund gave the ReichshofCastropto his teacher and educator Carl Friedrich von Bordelius, whereas he received the territories ofCleves,Mark,andRavensbergin theTreaty of Xantenin 1614.
Religious policy
editJohn Sigismund's most significant action was his conversion fromLutheranismtoCalvinism,after he had earlier equalized the rights of Catholics and Protestants in the Duchy of Prussia under pressure from the King of Poland. He was probably won over to Calvinism during a visit toHeidelbergin 1606, but it was not until 25 December 1613 that he publicly tookcommunionaccording to the Calvinist rite. The vast majority of his subjects in Brandenburg, including his wifeAnna of Prussia,remained deeply Lutheran, however. After the Elector and his Calvinist court officials drew up plans for mass conversion of the population to the new faith in February 1614, as provided for by the rule ofCuius regio, eius religiowithin theHoly Roman Empire,there were serious protests, with his wife backing the Lutherans. Resistance was so strong that in 1615, John Sigismund backed down and relinquished all attempts at forcible conversion. Instead, he allowed his subjects to be either Lutheran or Calvinist according to the dictates of their own consciences. Henceforward, Brandenburg-Prussia would be a bi-confessional state.[1]
Family and children
editOn 30 October 1594, John Sigismund marriedAnna of Prussia,daughter ofAlbert Frederick, Duke of Prussia(1553–1618). She was the elder sister of his stepmother. They were parents to eight children:
- George William of Brandenburg(13 November 1595 – 1 December 1640). His successor.
- Anne Sophia of Brandenburg (15 March 1598 – 19 December 1659). MarriedFrederick Ulrich, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg.
- Maria Eleonora of Brandenburg(11 November 1599 – 28 March 1655). MarriedGustavus Adolphus of Sweden.They were parents ofChristina of Sweden.
- Catherine of Brandenburg(28 May 1602 – 27 August 1644). Married firstGabriel Bethlen,Prince of Transylvaniaand secondly Franz Karl ofSaxe-Lauenburg.
- Joachim Sigismund of Brandenburg (25 July 1603 – 22 February 1625).
- Agnes of Brandenburg (31 August 1606 – 12 March 1607).
- John Frederick of Brandenburg (18 August 1607 – 1 March 1608).
- Albrecht Christian of Brandenburg (7–14 March 1609).
Ancestry
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References
edit- ^Christopher ClarkThe Iron Kingdom: The Rise and Downfall of Prussia 1600-1947(Penguin, 2007) pp. 115–121
External links
edit- Theodor Hirsch (1881), "Johann Sigismund",Allgemeine Deutsche Biographie(in German), vol. 14, Leipzig: Duncker & Humblot, pp. 169–175
- Settlement of Dortmund between Brandenburg and Palatinate-Neuburg and the conflict of succession in Jülich, in full text
- Encyclopedia Americana.1920. .