Agnes of Brandenburg, Duchess of Pomerania

Agnes, a member of the house of Hohenzollern, was a daughter of the Elector John George of Brandenburg (1525–1598) from his third marriage with Elisabeth of Anhalt-Zerbst^[1] (1563–1607), daughter of Prince Joachim Ernest of Anhalt.

Agnes had 23 siblings^[1] from her father's three marriages, but only 15 would survive beyond childhood.^[1] Between her parents there was a 40-year age difference and Agnes' father John George died in 1598 when Agnes was 14 years old.

After the death of her husband, Agnes mother left the court in Berlin together with her children to live at Crossen Palace, where she gave birth to a posthumous son, John George.

Agnes later with intermittently at Crossen palace, with her sisters Magdalena of Brandenburg in Darmstadt and Sophie of Brandenburg at the Saxon court in Dresden. Agnes sister was married to Christian I, Elector of Saxony , and Agnes was educated alongside their daughters (and her nieces) Sophie and Auguste.^[2]

Agnes was taught to read and write in German and received instruction in religion. Noted for her intelligence she became fluent in French and Latin while listening in on her brothers lessons. Agnes and her sisters were also instructed in dancing and singing and would perform in court performances.

First marriage

On 25 June 1604^[2] in Berlin, Agnes married her first husband, Duke Philip Julius of Pomerania-Wolgast ^[1][2](1584–1625). Two of Agnes older half-sisters were married to Philip Julius uncles, Erdmuthe to John Frederick, Duke of Pomerania and Anna Maria to Barnim X.

Engraving of Agnes of Brandenburg, 1605

Wolgast castle (1652)

Philip Julius carried the epithet "the handsome" [German: der Schöne] because of his graceful facial features, beautiful figure and pleasant form. Philip Julius also enjoyed a reputation as a well-read and eloquent man. His personality was however considered flighty and his manner domineering and arbitrary.

The pair resided at Wolgast Castle, where Agnes and Philip Julius entertained a grand court and an entourage consisting not only of servants but also of musicians^[3] and actors, owing to Philip Julius interest in the cultural arts. A folwark at Udars on the island of Rügen was named after her: Agnisenhof or Agnetenhof. In 1615, Elisabeth was involved, at the request of her husband, in the financing of a mint in Franzburg.^[4]

Widowhood

After Philip Julius's death on 6 February 1625,^[2] (which was blamed on unhealthy living and drunkneness) Agnes lived on her wittum, the district of Barth.^[5]Dubslaff Christoph von Eickstedt auf Rothenklempenow, who had been adviser to her husband, served as her privy counsellor and captain.^[6]

Second marriage

Agnes was married again on 9 September 1628,^[2] at Schloss Barth,^[2] to the ten years younger Duke Francis Charles of Saxe-Lauenburg^[2] (1594–1660), who was a general in the imperial army. The same year her sister,Elisabeth Sophia of Brandenburg had married Francis Charles brother, Julius Henry.^[2][5] Both brothers were well known to Agnes as their mother Maria of Brunswick-Lüneburg was a sister of Agnes former mother-in-law Sophia Hedwig of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel.

With this second marriage, she lost her rights to Barth. However, Francis Charles persuaded Wallenstein to force Duke Bogislaw XIV to allow her to keep Barth until her death.^[7] Agnes also brought 20,000 thaler in dowry with her into the marriage.^[5]After her marriage Agnes removed to Neuhaus castle.^[2]

Both of her marriages were childless.

Agnes died on 26 March 1629.^[2]

After her death, Francis Charles married her great-niece, Catherine of Brandenburg.