Johan I of East Frisia
| Johan I of East Frisia | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1506 |
| Died | 1572 (aged 65–66) |
| Noble family | Cirksena |
| Spouse | Dorothea of Austria |
| Father | Edzard I |
| Mother | Elisabeth of Rietberg |
Johan I of East Frisia (1506–1572) was a member of the house of Cirksena and a non-reigning Count of East Frisia and later imperial governor of Limburg. His father, Edzard the Great, had introduced primogeniture in the county of East Frisia, so that his older brother Enno II of East Frisia inherited the county alone and he had to hold back. Despite his ambitions, he always acknowledged his brother's rights and did not dispute the inheritance.
Unlike his father and his brother, Johan remained a Catholic. After his father's death, he joined the imperial army. However, he soon returned to East Frisia and began supporting his brother. He had, however, little positive impact on his brother, who ruled unwisely. Johan was unable to distinguish himself, and also took some unwise and ill-advised actions, such as those that lead to the Gueldrian Feud. He may also have encouraged Enno to try to re-introduce Catholicism in East Frisia. This attempt was cut short when Enno died in 1540. Enno's widow, Anna became regent for her son Edzard II. Johan had an endless series of conflicts with Anna.
In 1538, Johan married Dorothea of Austria, the illegitimate daughter of Emperor Maximilian I. In 1543, Emperor Charles V reminded Johan of the fact that he was still, technically, in the imperial service. Charles appointed Johan stadtholder of the Duchy of Limburg and the Lands of Overmaas. Moreover, he became drossaard (judge and prime minister) of the Valkenburg Castle.[1]
His descendants lived at Coldeborg Castle in the Rheiderland and were financially supported by the counts of East Frisia.
Ancestors
- Ancestors of Johan I of East Frisia
- 16. Edzard II of Appingen-Greetsiel
- 8. Enno Edzardisna
- 17. Doda tom Brok
- 4. Ulrich I of East Frisia
- 18. Affo Beninga
- 9. Gela of Manslagt
- 19. Tiadeka of Berum
- 2. Edzard I, Count of East Frisia
- 20. Focko Ukena
- 10. Uko Fockena
- 21. Theda of Rheide
- 5. Theda Ukena
- 22. Lütet Attena
- 11. Heba Attena
- 23. Ocka tom Brok
- 1. Johan I, Count of East Frisia
- 24. Conrad IV, Count of Rietberg
- 12. Conrad V, Count of Rietberg
- 25. Irmgard of Diepholz
- 6. John I, Count of Rietberg
- 26. Gumprecht II of Neuenahr
- 13. Jacoba of Neuenahr
- 27. Margaret of Limburg-Broich
- 3. Elisabeth of Rietberg
- 28. Simon IV, Lord of Lippe
- 14. Bernard VII, Lord of Lippe
- 29. Margaret of Brunswick-Grubenhagen
- 7. Margaret of Lippe
- 30. Otto II, Count of Schaumburg
- 15. Anna of Holstein-Schauenburg
- 31. Elisabeth of Hohenstein
References and sources
- Tielke, Martin (ed.): Biographisches Lexikon für Ostfriesland, Ostfriesisches Landschaftliche Verlag- u. Vertriebsgeschäft, Aurich, vol. 1 ISBN 3-925365-75-3 (1993), vol. 2 ISBN 3-932206-00-2 (1997), vol. 3 ISBN 3-932206-22-3 (2001)
References
- Back to citation H.J.H. Schurgers - J.G.M. Notten - L.G.W.N. Pluymaekers, De geschiedenis van Valkenburg-Houthem, p. 135, publisher "Het land van Valkenburg". 1979, ISBN 90-6190-017-4.