Sophie of Saxe-Lauenburg

Sophie of Saxe-Lauenburg (1428 – 9 September 1473) was a German regent, Duchess of Jülich-Berg by marriage to Gerhard VIII of Jülich-Berg. She was regent of Jülich, Berg and Ravensberg during the incapacity of her spouse and the minority of her eldest son William IV from 1456 until 1473.

Sophie of Saxe-Lauenburg
Born	1428
Died	(1473-09-09)9 September 1473
Noble family	House of Ascania
Spouse(s)	Gerhard VII, Duke of Jülich-Berg
Father	Bernard II, Duke of Saxe-Lauenburg
Mother	Adelheid of Pomerania

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 Duke Gerhard VIII of Jülich-Berg, Count of Ravensberg (born: 1416 or 1417; died: 1475).

Regency

In approximately 1456, Gerhard lapsed into insanity and was incapable of ruling. Sophie took over the reins of government in the Duchy as regent, since her firstborn son, who would otherwise have been considered for the regency, was himself a minor.

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.

Issue

Sophie from her marriage had the following children:

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