| Mary I | |
|---|---|
| |
| Mary I | |
| King of Hamburg, Hanover, Westphalia, Prussia, the Rhineland, Kuba, and New Rugia | |
| Reign | 1856 - 1913 |
| Predecessor | Ferdinand II |
| Successor | Friedrich V |
| Holy Roman Emperor | |
| Reign | 1863 - 1913 |
| Predecessor | Conrad of Oldenburg |
| Successor | Friedrich V |
| King of the Germans, Protector of the Commonwealth | |
| Reign | October 9, 1895 - 1913 |
| Predecessor | Friedrich I |
| Born | 8 December, 1839 Hamburg city, Hamburg |
| Died | 1913 Mariastadt, Germany |
| Burial | Hamburg city, Hamburg |
| Spouse | Dietrich of Oldenburg |
| Issue | Karl, Prince of Hanover Sophia, Princess of Königsberg Friedrich, Prince of Kassl |
| Full name | |
| Mary Sophia Anna Karoline von Hamburg | |
| House | Hamburg |
| Father | Karl III |
| Mother | Josephina of Kiel |
Mary I of Germany (born: Mary Sophia Anna Karoline von Hamburg) was the first female Holy Roman Emperor, and the first King of the Germans, the latter the head of state of the first truly United German state. She is the eldest daughter of King Karl III of Hamburg, and his wife Josephina of Kiel.
Life[]
Mary was born in the Duke Wilhelm Palace in Hamburg city. She was the oldest of five children, but one of only two to survive to adulthood. Her father, King Karl III, was King of Hamburg during her childhood, but died suddenly in early 1839. As Hamburg had a male-preference for succession, her uncle was due to succeed him as Ferdinand II. But Ferdinand, some suspicious he had a part in Karl III's death, died two weeks after Karl, ascending a seventeen year old Mary to the throne.
She would take the Kings Oath and be coronated roughly a week later under heavy guard. Like her mother, Sophia I, she was titled "King" as the United German Kingdoms held no special provision in its constitution for "Queen".
In 1863, following the death of Holy Roman Emperor Conrad of Oldenburg, she would be elected Holy Roman Emperor, again using the male phrasing.
Her preperation and determination when the UGK faced a world-wide coalition during the German-Borealian war earned her further praise, and little to no prestige was lost when the UGK ceded relatively unproductive land in the pacific, and defeated others on other fronts thanks to allies like Bavaria.
Mary took a leading role in the negotiations for the true unification of the German states, often sitting in on negotiations for the Treaty of Brunswick. The treaty would be ratified with her approval in 1891. And upon unification on October 9, 1895, she would be titled "King of the Germans and Protector of the Commonwealth" in addition to Holy Roman Emperor.
Known for having a fervent militancy towards communism, she personally called for the German Diet to declare war on France in response to the Bamberg attacks. During the Great War, she made common trips near the front line in an attempt to keep morale up. After Germany's victory, her health declined drastically, and died in her sleep in mid 1913. She was buried in the House of Hamburg family crypt beneath Duke Otto Cathedral.
Full Titles[]
Mary I, by the Grace of God, King of the Germans, Holy Roman Emperor, Protector of the Commonwealth, King of Hamburg, King of Hanover, King of Prussia, King of Westphalia, King of the Rhineland, King of Kuba, King of New Rugia, Duke of Mecklenburg, Duke of Holstein, Duke of Hesse, Duke of Schleswig, Duke of Vorpommern, Lord of Münster, Bremen, Magdeburg, Lübeck, and Frankfurt, First among Peers, Sovereign of the Order of Friedrich the Great, King of the Saxons, Angles, Wends, and old Prussians, Defender of the Realm and its People
Family[]
Mary married Dietrich of Oldenburg in 1840, they had three children:
- Karl, Prince of Hanover
- Sophia, Princess of Königsberg
- Friedrich, Prince of Kassel, later King of the Germans
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