Sophia of Guelders

SOPHIA OF QUEEN BURGUNDY AND GERMANY Sophia, suo jure Queen of Burgundy and Germany(27 September 1519 - 23 May 1566) was the only child of Charles II,Burgundy and Elisabeth of Saxony and in 1537 married Prince William of Kingdom of Rienland, thus becoming Queen Consort of the Kingdom of Rienland. In 1538, she gave birth to her 1st daughter, Isabella future Queen of Germany and Burgundy.

Early Life
Sophia of Guelders was born in Arnhem in the early hours of 27 September 1519. Her birth appears to have rendered her mother infertile as there were no further children from her parents' marriage. As heiress, she was well educated and grew up sympathizing with the ideals of the Protestant Reformation. By 1527, she professed Lutheranism and remarked, "When I am Queen, there shall not be a single Catholic in my realm." However, as she became older she respected Catholics, but remained devout in her Protestant faith. Her relationship was close her mother as she became older, however, she was obediant to her father. As heiress, she was an attractive prize in marriage and several proposals from the Hapsburgs between Sophia and Charles, later Holy Roman Emperor. Although Sophia showed interest, the proposal was rejected to keep Kingdoms of Burgundy and Saxony from being absorbed by the kingdom of Austria.

Marriage
After the proposal from Archduke Charles was rejected, there was much need to find Sophia a suitable husband. Her mother favored a marriage between her daughter and the Dauphin of France, while her father proposed William, Prince and Future king of Rienland. Prince William was chosen, as his territories bordered Burgundy and Saxony and he had his own claim to Duchies in the two Kingdoms. Aged 19, she married the Prince and became Princess of Rienland. Within a month, it was apparent that the young bride was pregnant. On 16 April of the following year Sophia delivered a daughter, Isabella. She had another pregnancy the following year, which ended in a 2nd daughter. She and William enjoyed a loving marriage, despite it being arranged. William adored his daughters, although he wished for more children. In 1541, she became pregnant again give birth to twins girls.

As Queen of Burgundy and Germany
Soon after the birth of her daughter Isabella, her father died and Sophia became Queen of Burgundy and Saxony and one year later all of Germany came under her rule after she and William defeated the Hapsburgs in Austria they turn over the remainder of german lands to them and the throne of Germany, William and Sophie let the lords and Duchess and kings and queens of the small Principalities keep their lands and in return the lords of Germany recognize them as the King and Queen of all of Germany with her newborn daughter her heiress apparent. Eager to assure her people that she could rule, she traveled through Burgundy and Germany on horseback. She gave alms to the poor and prayed for many. She was sometimes referred to as "Sophia the Generous" for her tendecy to donate to schools and churches. Where some still stand like the Protestant churches of Burgundy and Germany and Universitys of Burgundy at Antwerp and University of Germany in Berman she inherited a rich state from wars win against the Hapsburgs Holy Roman Empire and France and raised taxes on the richer men. She managed to increase the economy and helped by buying products from many artisans.

Death
In 1566,Queen Sophia was riding horseback and suddenly her horse spooked and threw her from the saddle. Her husband rushed to her side and had her carried back to their palace where she was proclaimed dead from a broken neck, aged 46. Her Kingdoms of Burgundy and Saxony with all of Germany under her rule passed to her daughter Isabella, at the time in England as their Queen Consort Her husband retained control of the Kingdom of Burgundy and Germany and went to war once more with the Hapsburgs of Austria and Spain and won on sea and land. Sophia was deeply mourned by her subjects and a extravagent funeral was arranged for her by her subjects and husband. Her husband never remarried he said today I buried my heart and soul.

Issue

 * 1) Isabella of hair to the Thrones of Burgundy and Germany, Queen of England, married Edward VI; had issue
 * 2) Anna Queen of Danmark
 * 3) ( Twins girls Elisabeth and Charlotte
 * 4) Elisabeth Duchess of Hamburg
 * 5) Charlotte Queen of Switzerland. )