Sigbrit Willoms
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Sigbrit Willoms (also Willums), (d. c. 1532), was a Danish politician, mother to the mistress of King Christian III of Denmark, Dyveke Sigbritsdatter, and advisor and de facto minister of the king in 1519-1523.
[edit] Biography
She was born in a merchant family from Amsterdam, but moved to Bergen, Norway, in 1507. She was mother to Dyveke Sigbritsdatter, who met the future Danish king Christian II in Bergen. Mother and daughter moved with the king to Copenhagen in 1513.
Her infuence over the king became greater after the death of her daughter, and in 1519-1523, she was the most politically infuntial person in Denmark. Sigbrit was in charge of the court of prince Hans and of customs and the treasury. She was given the title mother Sigbritt and had a postion of a de facto minister of finance. Being a bourgeoise, she was known for forwarding the interests of the middle classes. She was unpopular with the nobility and by some seen as the person behind the Stockholm Bloodbath in 1520. Her enemies spread otu the rumors that she was a witch because of her herbal knowledge. I 1522, she instigated new law about hygiene in the city, were people was told to have their houses cleaned every week. When the king was driven out of Denmark in 1523, Sigbrit fled to Holland. Her death is unknown, but some say she was apprehended and executed for sorcery in c. 1532.
