Barbara Sophie of Brandenburg
| Barbara Sophia of Brandenburg | |
|---|---|
Princess Barbara Sophia of Brandenburg, the later Duchess and Regent of Württemberg
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| Spouse(s) | John Frederick, Duke of Württemberg |
| Noble family | House of Hohenzollern |
| Father | Joachim Frederick, Elector of Brandenburg |
| Mother | Catherine of Brandenburg-Küstrin |
| Born |
16 November 1584 Halle |
| Died | 13 February 1636 (aged 51) Strasbourg |
Barbara Sophia of Brandenburg (16 November 1584 – 13 February 1636) was the daughter of the Catherine of Küstrin (1549–1602) and Elector of Joachim Frederick of Brandenburg. She was married to Duke John Frederick of Württemberg and after his death guardian for their minor son, Duke Eberhard III of Württemberg.
On 5 November 1609 she married Duke John Frederick of Württemberg (1582–1628), eldest son of Frederick I and Sibylla of Anhalt. On the occasion of this marriage he had the Urach Palace in Bad Urach renovated: the Golden Hall was constructed, which is today one of the most beautiful Renaissance ballrooms in Germany. They apparently had a very happy marriage.
Her husband died in 1628. In 1630, she began an extensive renovation of Brackenheim Castle, which was promised to her as her wittum. The castle contained an art room with 155 paintings, at the time the second largest collection in Württemberg. The art room was well preserved until her death, despite the Thirty Years' War ravaging the country around it. During the renovation of her castle, she lived at Schloss Kirchheim Castle in Kirchheim unter Teck and in Stuttgart. She never lived in Brackenheim, despite the Castle, the city and the district forming her wittum. Nevertheless, she was considered a benefactor of the city, due to her dedication to the city during the Thirty Years' War and to the foundations she founded.
When her husband died, her 14-year-old son Eberhard III was still a minor and his uncle Louis Frederick, Duke of Württemberg-Montbéliard acted as regent. After Frederick Louis died on 26 January 1631, the regency was taken up by Sophie Barbara and Julius Frederick, Duke of Württemberg-Weiltingen, with Sophie Barbara being "high regent". She therefore moved back to Stuttgart in 1632 and became politically active. After the Battle of Lutzen in late 1632, Julius Frederick joined the war on the Swedish side. His goal was to drive enemy troops out of the country, as well as the Catholic former owners of secularized church properties. Despite his successes, he was accused of acting selfishly. The councillors and the Estates managed to drive him out of the regency.
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