Anne Catherine of Brandenburg

1575_Anna_Katharina.jpg

Electress of Brandenburg (1575–1612)

Anne Catherine of Brandenburg
Title	Electress of Brandenburg
Reign
Coronation
Predecessor
Successor
Spouse	Christian IV of Denmark
Issue	Frederick III of Denmark
Full Name
House	House of Hohenzollern
Father	Joachim Frederick, Elector of Brandenburg
Mother	Catherine of Brandenburg-Küstrin
Birth Date	26 June 1575
Birth Place	Berlin, Margraviate of Brandenburg
Death Date	29 March 1612 (aged 36)
Death Place	Cölln, Margraviate of Brandenburg
Burial Date
Burial Place	Berlin Cathedral

Anne Catherine of Brandenburg (26 June 1575 – 29 March 1612) was a noblewoman of the House of Hohenzollern who became the Electress of Brandenburg through her marriage to Christian IV of Denmark.

Early Life

Anne Catherine was born in Berlin, the daughter of Joachim Frederick, Elector of Brandenburg and Catherine of Brandenburg-Küstrin. She was a member of the House of Hohenzollern, a prominent German dynasty that played a significant role in the history of Brandenburg and later Prussia.

Marriage and Issue

On 27 November 1597, Anne Catherine married Christian IV of Denmark, who was the reigning King of Denmark and King of Norway. The marriage was politically motivated, aiming to strengthen the ties between Brandenburg and Denmark-Norway. The couple had several children, including:

• Frederick III of Denmark (1609–1670), who succeeded his father as King of Denmark and King of Norway.

Role as Electress

As the Electress of Brandenburg, Anne Catherine played a significant role in the court life and politics of the Margraviate of Brandenburg. Her marriage to Christian IV of Denmark brought her into the complex political landscape of Northern Europe during a time of significant religious and political upheaval.

Death and Burial

Anne Catherine died on 29 March 1612 in Cölln, a part of modern-day Berlin. She was buried in the Berlin Cathedral, a significant burial site for members of the House of Hohenzollern.

Legacy

Anne Catherine's marriage to Christian IV of Denmark and her role as Electress of Brandenburg highlight the intricate web of alliances and political strategies that characterized the European nobility during the late 16th and early 17th centuries. Her descendants continued to play important roles in the history of Denmark, Norway, and Brandenburg.

See also

• House of Hohenzollern
• Electorate of Brandenburg
• Christian IV of Denmark
• Frederick III of Denmark