Hedvig of Holstein

Hedvig of Holstein  (Heilwig, Hedevig; 1398–1436) was a duchess of Schleswig and a countess of Holstein from the family of Schauenburg. She was the mother of King Christian I of Denmark and ancestor of the Danish Royal houses of Oldenburg and Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Glücksburg.

Biography
She was a daughter of Gerhard VI of Holstein-Rendsburg and his wife, Catherine Elisabeth of Brunswick-Lüneburg. Her brother was Adolf VIII/I, Count of Holstein/Duke of Schleswig. Through their father, they were cognatic descendants of King Eric V of Denmark (1249–1286) while through their mother, they were cognatic descendants of King Abel of Denmark (1218–1252). Through their father, they were also descendants of King Magnus III of Sweden.

On 18 April 1417 Hedvig was married to Prince Balthasar of Mecklenburg, who died of the plague in 1421. In 1423 she was married to Dietrich, Count of Oldenburg. From her second marriage she had the following children:
 * Christian I of Denmark (1426–1481), who succeeded his father as Count of Oldenburg and Delmenhorst. In 1448, he was elected King of Denmark. He also inherited the counties of Schleswig and Holstein upon the death of his childless uncle, Adolf VIII.
 * Maurice V of Delmenhorst (1428–1464); when his elder brother became king, he was given the County of Delmenhorst.
 * Gerhard VI of Oldenburg (1430–1500); when his eldest brother had become king, he was given the county of Oldenburg, and from his other brother's heirs he also inherited Delmenhorst in about 1483.
 * Adelheid of Oldenburg (1425–1475); first married Ernest III, Count of Hohenstein (died 1454) and then in 1474 Gerhard VI, Count of Mansfeld (died 1492).

Other Sources

 * Hartmut Platte (2006)  Das Haus Oldenburg (Börde-Verlag, Werl)  ISBN 3-9810315-4-7
 * Hartmut Platte (2006)  Das Haus Oldenburg (Börde-Verlag, Werl)  ISBN 3-9810315-4-7