Metta from Limburg-Styrum
Metta von Limburg-Styrum , also known as Mechthild von Limburg and Bronckhorst (* July 18, 1561 , † August 24, 1622 ) was abbess in Freckenhorst Abbey .
Life
Origin and family
Metta grew up as the daughter of Count Hermann Georg von Limburg-Styrum (1540–1574, bailiff in Liedberg) and his wife Maria von Hoya-Bruchhausen (1534–1612) with their siblings Jobst (1560–1621), Agnes (1563–1645, Abbess in Elten, Freckenhorst, Vreden and Borghorst), Maria (1566–1624, provost Vreden, married Johann von Mirlaer), Johann (1567–1613, Canon in Cologne) and Erich (1570–1630, Cathedral Scholaster in Cologne) in one ancient noble family . Two other brothers died early.
Career and work
On July 19, 1578, Metta was elected abbess in Freckenhorst and signed the election surrender on August 30 . Here she promised not to introduce any innovations in the spiritual customs and to reduce the debts that had grown to one thousand thalers among her predecessors. In addition, she promised not to apply for or to accept any other abbeys. Shortly after taking office, she had the welcome tax tendered, the income from which was to be used to reduce debt.
On July 27, 1591, she had a document handed over to the chapter in which she announced her intended waiver . This was accepted by the capitular lords, with exemption from claims against the abbess. On August 4, 1592, Metta married the Protestant Count Heinrich V von Holstein-Schaumburg-Sterneberg (1566–1597). After the death of her husband, she took over the government of the empire-free rule of Gemen , a very difficult task during the time of the Dutch struggle for freedom (with effects on the Münsterland ). This she fulfilled almost to her death and left her son Jobst Hermann , who died unmarried. After his death, the rule of Gemen fell to the Limburg-Styrum family .
literature
- Wilhelm Kohl : Diocese of Münster. 3: The Freckenhorst (free worldly) women's monastery (= Germania Sacra NF 10). de Gruyter, Berlin 1973, pp. 336–338, ISBN 3-11-002098-X ( PDF file ).
Web links
- Metta von Limburg-Styrum Personal database at Germania Sacra
| personal data | |
|---|---|
| SURNAME | Limburg-Styrum, Metta from |
| BRIEF DESCRIPTION | Abbess in Freckenhorst Abbey |
| DATE OF BIRTH | July 18, 1561 |
| DATE OF DEATH | August 24, 1622 |