Clara of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel
| Clara of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel | |
|---|---|
| Born |
16 November 1532 Wolfenbüttel |
| Died | 23 November 1595 (aged 63) Herzberg Castle |
| Buried | Aegidius Church in Osterode |
| Noble family | House of Guelph |
| Spouse(s) | Philip II, Duke of Brunswick-Grubenhagen |
| Father | Henry II, Duke of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel |
| Mother | Maria of Württemberg |
Clara of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel (16 November 1532 in Wolfenbüttel – 23 November 1595 at Herzberg Castle), was a princess of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel by birth. She was abbess of the secular Gandersheim Abbey and later Duchess of Brunswick-Grubenhagen by marriage.
Clara was the youngest daughter of the Duke Henry II of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel (1489–1568) from his first marriage with Maria (1496–1541), daughter of the Earl Henry of Württemberg.
At the urging of her father, Clara was elected abbess of Gandersheim Abbey after the death of her sister Maria. Since Clara was only 6 years old at the time, officials acting for her father administered the abbey in her name. It is unknown if the Pope ever confirmed Clara as abbess. In any case, she never took up the position.
In 1542, troops of the Schmalkaldic League occupied Gandersheim and forced the Abbey to convert to Lutheranism. The Chapter, however, practiced passive resistance and remained Catholic. In 1543, the abbey suffered from iconoclasm. In 1547, Clara's father declared her resignation from the office of abbess, returning to the lay state.
Clara married on 1 July 1560 in Wolfenbüttel with her cousin Duke Philip II of Brunswick-Grubenhagen (1533–1596). As dowry, her father gave her 20000guilders and half the jurisdiction and castle of Westerhof. The marriage remained childless. After their marriage, the couple moved to Katlenburg Castle and converted it to a Renaissance château. Clara was responsible for the installation of numerous pharmacies and destileries. She also designed the interior of the newly built church in Rotenkirchen.
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