Anna II, Abbess of Quedlinburg
Encyclopedia
Countess Anna of Stolberg-Wernigerode
(28 January 1504 – 4 March 1574) was a German noblewoman who reigned as Princess-Abbess of Quedlinburg from 1516 until her death. She was elected princess-abbess under the name Anna II at the age of twelve, succeeding Magdalena of Anhalt.
and Anna von Eppenstein (1482- 7 August 1538), daughter of Philipp von Eppenstein.
in 1539. Anna did not dare to express her evangelical confession during the reign of George, Duke of Saxony
. However, George died in 1539 and was succeeded by his Protestant brother, Henry IV
, which left Anna II free to publicly express her Protestant faith and introduce reformation to Quedlinburg. By doing so, Anna II lost some of the privileges and jurisdiction traditionally enjoyed by Roman Catholic territorial abbesses
. However, the reformation
brought Anna and her community emancipation from seclusion and chance to break their vows. Anna II's decision allowed the women of Quedlinburg to quit the abbey and marry if they chose to do so.
Anna, who governed over a sizeable territory, established Lutheranism in all the houses under her jurisdiction; the choir service in the Abbey Church was abandoned and the monastic offices reduced to four, although the ancient, official titles remained. This resulted in the abrogation of the Catholic religion at Quedlinburg Abbey.
As princess-abbess, Anna II controlled nine churches, two male monasteries and a hospital. During her reign, she started consistory and set the salaries for school and church officials. She made all priests swear to the Augsburg Confession
. She turned a Franciscan monastery into a school for both male and female children, although the order raised objections to her decision. Despite her clearly Protestant religious views, both the Pope and the Holy Roman Emperor
gave her permission to choose a coadjutor abbess when she expressed a need for help in her later years.
Anna died on 4 March 1574 at the age of seventy and was succeeded by Countess Elisabeth of Regenstein-Blankenburg
(Elisabeth II) the following day.
Stolberg-Wernigerode
The Principality of Stolberg-Wernigerode was a county of the Holy Roman Empire located in the Harz region around Wernigerode, now part of Saxony-Anhalt, Germany.-History:...
(28 January 1504 – 4 March 1574) was a German noblewoman who reigned as Princess-Abbess of Quedlinburg from 1516 until her death. She was elected princess-abbess under the name Anna II at the age of twelve, succeeding Magdalena of Anhalt.
Family
She was born in Stolberg, Saxony-Anhalt, the eldest daughter, and one of the twelve children of Bodo VIII, Count of Stolberg-WernigerodeBodo VIII, Count of Stolberg-Wernigerode
Count Bodo VIII of Stolberg-Wernigerode was Count of Stolberg and Hohnstein and Lord of Wernigerode from 1511 until his death.- Life :...
and Anna von Eppenstein (1482- 7 August 1538), daughter of Philipp von Eppenstein.
Princess-Abbess of Quedlinburg
She was the first Protestant Abbess of Quedlinburg, having embraced LutheranismLutheranism
Lutheranism is a major branch of Western Christianity that identifies with the theology of Martin Luther, a German reformer. Luther's efforts to reform the theology and practice of the church launched the Protestant Reformation...
in 1539. Anna did not dare to express her evangelical confession during the reign of George, Duke of Saxony
George, Duke of Saxony
George the Bearded, Duke of Saxony , was duke of Saxony from 1500 to 1539.Duke George was a member of the Order of the Golden Fleece.-Early life:...
. However, George died in 1539 and was succeeded by his Protestant brother, Henry IV
Henry IV, Duke of Saxony
Henry IV the Pious, Duke of Saxony was a Duke of Saxony from the House of Wettin.-Biography:Heinrich was the second son of Albert, Duke of Saxony and his wife Sidonie Podiebrad, princess of Bohemia...
, which left Anna II free to publicly express her Protestant faith and introduce reformation to Quedlinburg. By doing so, Anna II lost some of the privileges and jurisdiction traditionally enjoyed by Roman Catholic territorial abbesses
Territorial abbot
A territorial abbey is a type of particular church within the Roman Catholic Church.Normally an abbot is the superior of an abbey , and exercises authority over a religious family of monks. His authority extends only as far as the monastery's walls, or only to the monks who have taken their vows...
. However, the reformation
Protestant Reformation
The Protestant Reformation was a 16th-century split within Western Christianity initiated by Martin Luther, John Calvin and other early Protestants. The efforts of the self-described "reformers", who objected to the doctrines, rituals and ecclesiastical structure of the Roman Catholic Church, led...
brought Anna and her community emancipation from seclusion and chance to break their vows. Anna II's decision allowed the women of Quedlinburg to quit the abbey and marry if they chose to do so.
Anna, who governed over a sizeable territory, established Lutheranism in all the houses under her jurisdiction; the choir service in the Abbey Church was abandoned and the monastic offices reduced to four, although the ancient, official titles remained. This resulted in the abrogation of the Catholic religion at Quedlinburg Abbey.
As princess-abbess, Anna II controlled nine churches, two male monasteries and a hospital. During her reign, she started consistory and set the salaries for school and church officials. She made all priests swear to the Augsburg Confession
Augsburg Confession
The Augsburg Confession, also known as the "Augustana" from its Latin name, Confessio Augustana, is the primary confession of faith of the Lutheran Church and one of the most important documents of the Lutheran reformation...
. She turned a Franciscan monastery into a school for both male and female children, although the order raised objections to her decision. Despite her clearly Protestant religious views, both the Pope and the Holy Roman Emperor
Holy Roman Emperor
The Holy Roman Emperor is a term used by historians to denote a medieval ruler who, as German King, had also received the title of "Emperor of the Romans" from the Pope...
gave her permission to choose a coadjutor abbess when she expressed a need for help in her later years.
Anna died on 4 March 1574 at the age of seventy and was succeeded by Countess Elisabeth of Regenstein-Blankenburg
Elisabeth II, Abbess of Quedlinburg
Countess Elisabeth of Regenstein-Blankenburg was Princess-Abbess of Quedlinburg. As such, she is numbered Elisabeth II....
(Elisabeth II) the following day.