John III of Werle

John III of Werle
Noble family House of Mecklenburg
Father Nicholas II of Werle
Mother Rixa of Denmark
Born before 1300
Died between 1 April and 28 August 1352

John III, Lord of Werle (nicknamed John van Ruoden; born: before 1300; died: between 1 April and 28 August 1352) was Lord of Werle-Goldberg from 1316 until his death. He was the son of Nicholas II and Rixa of Denmark.

After the death of his father, Nicholas II, in 1316, it was decided to divide Werle. John III. took control over the part Werle-Goldberg and his uncle John II took over Werle-Güstrow. John III built himself a castle in Goldberg. King Christopher II of Denmark promised John and Lord Henry II of Mecklenburg on 4 May 1326 that he would invest them with Rügen. However, he had earlier promised the principality to Pomerania. This led to a war, the Rügen War of Succession. Under the Peace of Brudersdorf, Pomerania was allowed to keep Rügen, but had to pay Mecklenburg 31000silver marks in compensation.

From 1350, he left the business of government to his son and co-ruler Nicholas IV. On 1 April 1352, he was already terminally ill. He died later that year. He was probably buried in Malchow Abbey.

Marriage and issue

John III married in 1317 with Mechtild (died: c.1332), the daughter of Duke Otto I, Duke of Pomerania. They had three children:

After Mechtild's death, John III married Richaris and had two more daughters:

External links

John III of Werle
Born: before 1300 Died: between 1 April and 28 August 1352
Preceded by
Nocholas II
Lord of Werle-Goldberg
1316-1352
Succeeded by
Nocholas IV