Gerhard VI, Count of Oldenburg facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Gerhard VI "the Quarrelsome"
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| Count of Oldenburg | |
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Coat of arms of Gerhard VI
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| Born | 1430 |
| Died | 22 February 1500 (aged 69–70) |
| Noble family | House of Oldenburg |
| Spouse(s) | Adelheid of Tecklenburg |
| Issue | Gerhard of Oldenburg Dietrich of Oldenburg Adolph, Count of Oldenburg-Delmenhorst Christian of Oldenburg John V, Count of Oldenburg Otto of Oldenburg Elisabeth of Oldenburg Anna of Oldenburg Irmgard von Esens, Countess of Harlingerland Hedwig of Oldenburg Adelheid of Oldenburg |
| Father | Dietrich of Oldenburg |
| Mother | Hedvig of Holstein |
Gerhard VI, Count of Oldenburg (also known as Gerhard the Quarrelsome) was an important ruler who lived from 1430 to 1500. He was a Count of Oldenburg, which means he governed a region in what is now Germany. He also served as a regent (a temporary ruler) in Bad Zwischenahn and Delmenhorst for many years.
Gerhard's Life and Rule
Gerhard was born in 1430. He was the third son of Dietrich of Oldenburg and Hedvig of Holstein. His oldest brother became King Christian I of Denmark in 1448. Because his brother became a king, the county of Oldenburg was passed to Gerhard and his other brothers in 1450.
Ruling Oldenburg and Delmenhorst
From 1440 to 1463, Gerhard ruled in Delmenhorst as a regent. A regent is someone who governs a country or region when the official ruler is too young or unable to rule. After his brother Maurice died in 1464, Gerhard became the guardian for his nephew Jakob until 1482. This meant he looked after Jakob and managed his lands.
Gerhard was often involved in wars. He frequently fought against Gerhard III, who was the Prince-Archbishop of Bremen, and also against the Frisians, a group of people living near the coast.
In 1483, Gerhard had to give up his rule to his sons. This is called abdicating. He later died in 1500 while on a pilgrimage, which is a journey to a holy place. He passed away in the Rhône valley.
Gerhard's Family
In 1453, Gerhard married Adelheid of Tecklenburg. She was born around 1435 and passed away in 1477. Together, they had eleven children:
- Gerhard of Oldenburg (1454–1470)
- Dietrich of Oldenburg (c. 1456 – 1463)
- Adolph, Count of Oldenburg-Delmenhorst (1458 – 17 February 1500)
- Christian of Oldenburg (1459 – 27 May 1492)
- John V, Count of Oldenburg (1460 – 10 February 1526)
- Otto of Oldenburg (died 17 February 1500), who became a canon (a type of priest) at Bremen Cathedral
- Elisabeth of Oldenburg (1468 – 12 September 1505)
- Anna of Oldenburg (1469 – 26 September 1505)
- Irmgard of Oldenburg, who married Hero Oomkens von Esens
- Hedwig of Oldenburg (died 22 February 1502), who married Edo Wimken II of Jever in 1498. They had children, including Maria of Jever.
- Adelheid of Oldenburg (died 1513), who married Dietrich III of Plesse in 1503.
