Mathilde of Hesse

Mathilde of Hesse (4 July 1473 in Blankenstein – 19 February 1505 in Cologne) was a Landrave princess from birth and became the Duchess of Cleves and Countess of La Marck through her marriage to John II, Duke of Cleves in 1489 until her death. She was the daughter of Henry III, Landgrave of Upper Hesse (1441-1483) and his wife Anna of Katzenelnbogen (1443-1494). She is notable for being the grandmother to Anne of Cleves the fourth wife of King Henry VIII of England. Early life and family Mathilde was born on 4 July 1473 into the Hesse noble family, was the younger daughter of Henry III, Landgrave of Upper Hesse and his wife, Anna of Katzenelnbogen the daughter of Philipp I, Count of Katzenelnbogen and his first wife, Anna of Württemberg. Her father earned an extreme amount of wealth and territories due to his marriage to Mathilde's mother Anna, and gained the nickname "the Rich". She became an heiress to the County of Katzenelnbogen after the death of her father in 1479. A dispute later developed around this inheritance, which was also called the "Katzenelnbogischen succession dispute". At the end, Mathilde's brother William benefited from the inheritance. Mathilde also had five siblings. They were: Frederick (died young). Ludwig III (1460-1478). Never married and died without issue. Elisabeth of Hesse-Marburg (1466–1523). She married John V, Count of Nassau-Siegen and had six children. William III, Landgrave of Hesse (1471-1500). Married Elisabeth and died without heirs. Heinrich (died young). Marriage and issue