Anna of Cleves (1495–1567)
Anna of Cleves | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | 1495 |
| Died | 1567 |
| Noble family | House of La Marck by birth, House of Waldeck by marriage |
| Spouse(s) | Philip III, Count of Waldeck |
Anna of Cleves (1495-1567) was from 1524 to her husband's death in 1539 the Countess of Waldeck.
Life
Anna was born in 1495 to John II, Duke of Cleves and his wife, Matilda of Hesse[1]. She had two legitimate siblings, John and Adolf. Her father was known for allegedly having 63 illegitimate children[2]. From 1517-1519, Anna was imprisoned by her brother to stop her from marrying Philip III, Count of Waldeck. Anna would go on to marry him in 1519, having four children:
- Philip V (1519/20-1584)
- John I, Count of Waldeck-Landau (1521/22-1567)
- Catherine (1523/24-1583)
- Francis (1526-1574)
Philip died in 1539. She would outlive him by 28 years.
Anna's niece, Anne of Cleves, may have been named after her[3].