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Anna of Mecklenburg

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Birth Date:
14.10.1533
Death date:
04.07.1602
Burial date:
24.07.1602
Extra names:
Anna von Mecklenburg, Anna Ketlere, Prinzessin Anna von Mecklenburg-Güstrow, Meklenburgas Anna, von Gottes Gnaden Anna geborne Fürstin zu Mecklenburg in Livland zu Curland und Semgallen Herzogin, Mēklenburgas Anna, Kurzemes hercogiene, Анна Мек
Categories:
Aristocrat, Count, Duke, Nobleman, landlord, Related to Latvia
Nationality:
 german
Cemetery:
Kurzemes hercogu kapenes Jelgavas pilī

Anna of Mecklenburg (14 October 1533 – 4 July 1602), was a Duchess consort of Courland by marriage to the Duke of Courland, Gotthard Kettler.

She was the daughter of Albrecht VII, Duke of Mecklenburg and Anna of Brandenburg.

Anna is the first woman in Livonia whose life story is entirely historically confirmed.

Biography

Anna was raised in the Lutheran faith in Mecklenburg, where the reformation had recently been introduced.

She married the Duke of Courland, Gotthard Kettler, on 11 March 1566 in Königsberg. Her marriage was very late for a princess of her period. The marriage was initiated in 1564, and the alliance between Courland and Mecklenburg brought both wealth and important foreign connections to Germany to the recently founded Duchy of Courland.

Anna and Gotthard lived with their household in Riga from their wedding until 1578, when the first Ducal Palace of Mitau was ready to live in. Anna of Mecklenburg was described as a well educated cultural patron, who is credited for having played an important role in the development of art in the new state of Courland.

In this role, she is credited with having commissioned the art of local churches from local artists rather than foreign artists, which had been the normal in Courland. She is also credited with having organized the first Ducal court. She corresponded with her relatives in Germany, maintaining foreign diplomatic connections to the Duchy.

She was widowed in 1587. In 1598, she visited her brother in Gustrow.

Children

She had the following children:

  • Anna Kettler (1567–1617); married in 1586 to Albrecht Radziwiłł.
  • Friedrich Kettler (1569–1642); married in 1600 Elisabeth Magdalena of Pomerania, no issue.
  • Wilhelm Kettler (1574–1640); married in 1609 Sophia of Brandenburg-Prussia:
    • Jacob Kettler; succeeded as Duke of Courland and Semigallia. Married Margravine Louise Charlotte of Brandenburg and had issue.

Source: wikipedia.org, vesture.eu, timenote.info, news.lv

Title From To Images Languages
Kuldīgas ordeņa pils (vieta)Kuldīgas ordeņa pils (vieta)00.00.124500.00.1708lv

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        Relation nameRelation typeBirth DateDeath dateDescription
        1Albrecht VIIAlbrecht VIIFather25.07.148605.01.1547
        2Anna of BrandenburgAnna of BrandenburgMother01.01.150719.06.1567
        3Frīdrihs  KetlersFrīdrihs KetlersSon25.11.156917.08.1642
        4Vilhelms KetlersVilhelms KetlersSon20.06.157407.04.1640
        5
        Anna RadzivilaDaughter00.00.157100.00.1617
        6Gothards KetlersGothards KetlersHusband02.02.151717.05.1587
        7Albrehts  RadvilsAlbrehts RadvilsSon in-law08.03.155813.06.1592
        8Elizabete Magdalēna KetlereElizabete Magdalēna KetlereDaughter in-law17.04.158023.02.1649
        9Sofija KetlereSofija KetlereDaughter in-law31.03.158204.12.1610
        10Jacob KettlerJacob KettlerGrandson28.10.161010.01.1682
        11Frederick Casimir  KettlerFrederick Casimir KettlerGreat grandson06.07.165022.01.1698
        12Ferdinands KetlersFerdinands KetlersGreat grandson01.11.165504.05.1737
        13
        Louise Elisabeth von KurlandGreat granddaughter23.08.164616.12.1690
        14Maria Amalia of KurlandMaria Amalia of KurlandGreat granddaughter12.06.165316.06.1711

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