Sophie of Solms-Laubach

Sophie of Solms-Laubach
Born	(1594-05-15)15 May 1594 Laubach
Died	16 May 1651(1651-05-16) (aged 57) Plötzkau
Noble family	Solms-Laubach
Spouse(s)	Joachim Ernst, Margrave of Brandenburg-Ansbach
Issue Detail	Sophie Frederick III Albert II
Father	John George I, Count of Solms-Laubach
Mother	Margarethe of Schönburg-Glauchau

Sophie of Solms-Laubach (15 May 1594 – 16 May 1651), was a German regent, Margravine of Brandenburg-Ansbach by marriage to Joachim Ernst, and regent during the minority of her son from 1625 until 1639.

Early life

Sophie's parents were Count Johann Georg I of Solms-Laubach (1547–1600) and his wife, Margarethe of Schönburg-Glauchau (1554–1606).

Biography

She married Margrave Joachim Ernst of Brandenburg-Ansbach in 1612. After her husband's death in 1625, she took over the reign of the Margraviate of Brandenburg-Ansbach, as guardian and regent for her minor son Frederick. Frederick died in 1634 in the Battle of Nördlingen, shortly after he came of age. Sophie then continued reigning as regent for her son Albert, until he came of age in 1639. She was supported during her reign by her brother Count Frederick of Solms-Rödelheim, who served as an Imperial chamberlain.

Offspring

Sophie of Solms-Laubach had a daughter and four sons:

• Sophie (1614–1646), married to Erdmann August of Brandenburg-Bayreuth
• Frederick (1616–1634), Margrave of Brandenburg-Ansbach
• Albert (1617-1617)
• Albert (1620–1667), Margrave of Brandenburg-Ansbach
• Christian (1623–1633)

References

• M. Spindler, A. Kraus: History of Franconia until the end of the 18th Century, Munich, 1997, ISBN 3-406-39451-5