John II, Count Palatine of Simmern

John II (German: Johann II.) (20 March 1492 – 18 May 1557) was the Count Palatine of Simmern from 1509 until 1557.

John II was born in Simmern in 1492 as the eldest surviving son of John I, Count Palatine of Simmern. In 1508 he married Beatrix of Baden, daughter of Margrave Christopher I. He succeeded his father in 1509. John II allowed printing to be established in Simmern and was a patron of sculpture. He introduced the Reformation into Simmern which lead to increased tensions with his neighbours, the Archbishoprics of Trier and Mainz.

Children

With Beatrix of Baden:

1. Katherine (27 March 1510 – 22 March 1572)
2. Joanna (1 July 1512 – 2 February 1581)
3. Ottilie (4 November 1513 – 6 September 1553)
4. Frederick (14 February 1515 – 26 October 1576)
5. Brigitte (18 August 1516 – 13 April 1562)
6. George (20 February 1518 – 17 May 1569)
7. Elizabeth (13 February 1520 – 18 February 1564)
8. Richard (25 July 1521 – 13 January 1598)
9. Maria (29 April 1524 – 29 May 1576)
10. William (24 July 1526 – 9 March 1527)
11. Sabina (13 June 1528 – 19 June 1578)
12. Helene (13 June 1532 – 5 February 1579)