Dorothea of Denmark, Duchess of Prussia

For other people with the same name, see Dorothea of Denmark (disambiguation).

Dorothea of Denmark

Born	(1504-08-01)1 August 1504 Denmark
Died	11 April 1547(1547-04-11)
Spouse	Albert, Duke of Prussia
Issue	Anna Sophia, Duchess of Mecklenburg
Father	Frederick I of Denmark
Mother	Anna of Brandenburg

Dorothea of Denmark (1 August 1504–11 April 1547), was a Danish princess and Duchess of Prussia. She was the daughter of King Frederick I of Denmark and Anna of Brandenburg. She was married to Duke Albert, Duke of Prussia.

Life

After her father's accession to the throne in 1523 a marriage was suggested to the English claimant to the throne, Duke Richard of Suffolk, who was supported by King Francis of France, but without success.

In 1525, she received a proposal from the newly made Duke of Prussia. The marriage was arranged by her father's German chancellor Wolfgang von Utenhof. The wedding was conducted 12 February 1526 and Dorothea arrived with a large entourage in Königsberg in June. During her marriage, she gave birth six children, of whom only the eldest survive infancy:

Anna Sophia (11 June 1527 – 6 February 1591), married John Albert I, Duke of Mecklenburg-Güstrow.
Katharina (b. and d. 24 February 1528).
Frederick Albert (5 December 1529 – 1 January 1530).
Lucia Dorothea (8 April 1531 – 1 February 1532).
Lucia (3 February 1537 – May 1539).
Albert (b. and d. March 1539).

Dorothea had a very good relationship with Albert and this contributed to a good and active contact between Denmark and Prussia which continued during her brother's reign and until her death. Dorothea and her spouse corresponded with her brother, the king of Denmark, and acted as his political advisors. Dorothea and Albert were present at the coronation of Christian III of Denmark in Copenhagen in 1537; they also acted as foster-parents of her nephew Duke Hans of Denmark in 1536–1542.

The Königsberg Cathedral has a monument of her.

Funeral monument, now in Pushkin museum

References

Dansk biografisk Lexikon / IV. Bind. Clemens - Eynden (in Danish)

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Dorothea of Denmark, Duchess of Prussia.

Vacant Title last held by New title	Duchess consort of Prussia 1525–1547	Succeeded by Anna Marie of Brunswick-Lüneburg

Authority control	WorldCat Identities VIAF: 52483453 ISNI: 0000 0001 0971 9677 GND: 11868048X SUDOC: 138026874

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