Johann V-VII, Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin
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Johann V-VII (7 March 1558 (Güstrow) - 22 March 1592 (Schwerin) was Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin
Johann was the son of Johann Albert I, Duke of Mecklenburg-Güstrow and Schwerin (1525-1576) and his wife Duchess Anna Sophie of Prussia (1527-1591). He was eighteen years old when his father died, and so a regency was appointed that ruled in his name for the next nine years.
The regency handed over the actual rule of his territories to him in 1585. He immediately faced problems he was ill-equipped to deal with, including massive debt and his uncle Christoph's demands for territorial concessions. After an especially harsh argument with his uncle, he committed suicide.
Since suicides could not be buried in hallowed ground, a story was concocted which alleged that Johann had been killed by the devil, as part of a pact with two women of Schwerin. The women were questioned: Katharina Wankelmuth died in the torture chamber and Magdalena Rukitz was burned at the stake, leaving the way clear for Johann's burial in the Cathedral of Schwerin.
Because his sons were four and two years old at his death, governance of his territories passed to another regency.
[edit] Marriage and children
On 17 February 1588 he married Sophie of Holstein-Gottorp (1 June 1569 - 14 November 1634), daughter of Adolf, Duke of Holstein-Gottorp (1526-1586) and his wife Christine of Hesse (1543-1604). They had three children:
- Adolf Frederick I (15 December 1588 - 27 February 1658)
- Johann Albrecht II (5 May 1590 - 23 April 1636)
- Anna Sophia (19 September 1591 - 11 February 1648)
