Hildegarde Hohgarton, 2nd Duchess of Hanover-Brunswick
Her Grace Hildegarde Strongarm 2nd Duchess of Hanover-Brunswick | |
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| Spymaster of Frisia | |
| In office 27 February 962 – 20 October 963 | |
| Liege | King of Frisia |
| Preceded by | Unknown |
| Succeeded by | Unknown |
| Steward of East Francia | |
| In office 26 July 942 – 6 January 962 | |
| Liege | Mechthild, Queen of East Francia |
| Preceded by | Helene Hohgarton, 1st Duchess of Hanover-Brunswick |
| Succeeded by | Machtelt Kareldochter, 6th Duchess of Frisia |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Hildegarde Hohgarton 23 February 897 Hanover, Hanover, East Francia |
| Died | 15 December 972 Hanover, Hanover-Brunswick |
| Children | Richard I, Holy Roman Emperor Prince Charles of Hanover-Brunswick |
| Parents |
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Hildegarde Hohgarton, the 2nd Duchess of Hanover-Brunswick (23 February 897 - 15 December 972), was a prominent Hanoverian-Saxon noblewoman celebrated for her charisma, intrigue, and strategic acumen. She held extensive territories in Northern Germany within the realm of Hanover-Brunswick. Her ascent to prominence began when she succeeded her father as the Countess of Oldenburg and later her grandmother as the Duchess of Hanover-Brunswick. Hildegarde was renowned for her magnanimous atheism and prudent economic stewardship, earning her the titles "Hildegarde Strongarm" and "the Queen of Beauty and Noblesse."
Under her leadership, Hildegarde played a pivotal role in shaping significant political and cultural developments in Central Europe. Her accomplishments included the Hohgarton Partition, the Dissolution of the Kingdoms, and the emergence of the Hanoverian-Saxons as a distinct group. Through her astute political maneuvering and cunning, the Hanover-Brunswick territory evolved into an independent realm, maintaining the loyalty of vassal dukes and counts.
Formation of the Hanoverian-Saxon Culture - 950
Exceptional Military Commander during her Reign: Hermann von Weyhe
Independence from Frisia - 20 October 963, following great tumult in the realm
Establishment of the Dukedom of Hanover-Brunswick as a independent realm. - 22 November 965
Teutonic Order founded in Hallermund - 18 June 972
Early Life
Hildegarde Hohgarton was born on the 23rd of February, 897, in Hanover, East Francia. Her parents were Richard Hohgarton, the son of Helene Hohgarton, the 1st Countess of Hanover, and Richard Bouvinid, the Count of Hanover, and Mélisende Poitiers. Little is known about her early years, except that she was cared for by a wet nurse named Glismod and that her grandmother, Alaïs, passed away.
At the tender age of 10, on the 26th of June, 907, as part of a diplomatic agreement to maintain peace and cooperation with Saxony, Hildegarde was sent as a hostage. Several years later, on the 16th of June, 911, she received news of her grandfather, the Duke of Hanover, passing away from old age. When she turned 16 on the 24th of February, 913, and became eligible for marriage, despite the initial agreement for her return to Hanover, Otto II retained her at his court. She remained in captivity for another 5 years, held hostage until she reached the age of 21.
During this period, she was eventually captured during a siege led by Svanhildr, the Chieftess of Ellum. However, her captivity was short-lived, lasting only 6 days, as her grandmother, the Duchess of Hanover, paid her ransom, securing her swift return to Hanover.
Adulthood
When Hildegarde reached the age of 24, it is said that she began to rival Rudolf, although historical records provide scant details beyond this. At 25, she successfully completed the education of her sister, Adelaide. It wasn't until she turned 29 that, despite her earlier belief that marriage was not in her future, she wed Donar von Haseldorf, an ennobled knight. On the 18th of October, 928, she welcomed her firstborn son, Richard Hohgarton, into the world, followed by Charles Hohgarton on the 11th of January, 930.
By the time she reached the age of 36, Hildegarde received the news of her childhood wet nurse, Glismod, passing away due to old age. In 935, she successfully completed the education of Eilika, her sister Adelaide's daughter, and in 936, she did the same for Liutswind, her youngest sister.
However, life took a somber turn for Hildegarde. On the 19th of June, 940, at the age of 43, her mother, the Countess of Oldenburg, passed away from old age. Just a year later, her husband met a tragic end on the battlefield. Within a few months, her father also succumbed to his grief over his wife's death, tragically drinking himself to death, an act that brought disgrace to his memory.
Countess of Oldenburg
Upon her father's demise, she ascended to the position of Countess of Oldenburg. Despite her father being the heir of his mother, the Duchess of Hanover, this inheritance was not automatic according to the realm's traditions and laws. Until the 30th of July, 941, she could have been bypassed in favor of her cousin, the son of one of her elder uncles. However, due to her belief that this cousin was ill-suited for the titles' succession, the Duchess of Hanover took the unprecedented step of changing the laws to make the inheritance elective, ultimately choosing Hildegarde as her successor. The electors unanimously concurred with this decision. Only a year later, her grandmother also passed away from old age.
Duchess of Hanover-Brunswick
On the 14th of May, 942, Hildegarde assumed the role of Duchess of Hanover-Brunswick after the passing of her grandmother. Queen Mechthild also appointed her to continue serving as the Steward of East Francia. Her reign began amidst conflicts with Alamannia and a feud with House Asti, which she skillfully resolved within a mere 10 days of her accession. At the age of 45, she entered into a second marriage with Munio Vasconia.
In October of that eventful year, recognizing the significant responsibilities her grandmother had directly governed, Hildegarde initiated what would become known as the Hohgarton Partition. She allocated lands to close family members, granting Lippe, Gandersheim, Gottingen, and Everstein to William Hohgarton, the son of Adelaide Hohgarton, the 1st Countess of Braunchsweig. She also allocated Kassel, Fulda, and Waldeck to Detleff Hohgarton, the son of Howard Hohgarton, the 1st Count of Schmalkalden and husband of her sister, Liutswind Hohgarton. While contemporaneously seen as a debatable choice given the wealth of these combined lands, it ultimately secured the regional influence of the House of Hohgarton and garnered loyal and formidable allies for her rule.
Between 943 and 944, Hildegarde embarked on a transformative journey, enrolling in a university in Siena for further education. This experience greatly enhanced her diplomatic and political acumen, elevating her from a middling player in intrigue circles to a more adept strategist with a keen understanding of people and political dynamics. Upon her return to Hanover, she dedicated herself to the education of her son, Richard.
A few months later, she displayed her commitment to strengthening her influence by paying homage to Queen Mechthild in X and presenting a substantial gift of gold. Consolidating her authority over Northern East Francia, she negotiated peace with Berengar II, Landgrave of Hesse, by taking his son, Johann, as a hostage. In a bid to foster greater loyalty among her vassals, Hildegarde embarked on a legendary Grand Tour in 947.