Beatrix von Wolhusen
Beatrix von Wolhusen | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1308  |
| Died | 16 July 1398 (aged 89–90) Zurich |
| Occupation | Mayor, Christian nun |
| Position held | abbess (Fraumünster, 1358–1398) |
Beatrix von Wolhusen (c. 1308 – 16 July 1398, Zurich) was a Swiss abbess. She led the Fraumünster Abbey and, effectively, Zurich itself for 40 years, from 1358 until her death.
Biography
[edit]Beatrix von Wolhusen was born around 1308.[1] Her father was named Walter, and she had a brother named Peter,[1] who would later become abbot of the territorial abbey of Einsiedeln.[2]
She ran in the 1340 election to succeed the previous abbess of the Fraumünster Abbey, Elisabeth von Matzingen, but lost to her rival, Fides von Klingen.[1] This election was highly controversial and had to be settled by an arbitrator appointed by Emperor Louis IV.[3]
She won the next election in 1358[4] and held the position of abbess of the Fraumünster until her death, as well as the rank of imperial princess and ruler of the city.[1] In these capacities, she was the person signing Zurich's official charters in 1373 and 1393.[1] She certified municipal acts, such as the sales and purchases of land.[5] In 1373, tasked with collecting a tax to fund a crusade, she sent 50 gold florins to Konstanz under the supervision of her steward, Heinrich Martini von Walse, but he was robbed on the way.[6]
Her management of the city was marked by the council's attempts to free itself from her authority, leading to a power struggle between them.[1] She eventually lost this conflict in 1397, when the council decided to limit her powers and appointed three administrators to assist her.[1]
She died on 16 July 1398 in Zurich,[1] and was succeeded by Anna von Bussnang.[4]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e f g h "Wolhusen, Beatrix von". hls-dhs-dss.ch (in French). Retrieved 2024-12-16.
- ^ "Wolhusen, Peter von". hls-dhs-dss.ch (in French). Retrieved 2024-12-16.
- ^ "Klingen, Fides von". hls-dhs-dss.ch (in French). Retrieved 2024-12-16.
- ^ a b Müller, Annalena (2024). Monastic Women and Secular Economy in Later Medieval Europe, ca. 1200 to 1500. Oxford: Taylor & Francis. p. 124. ISBN 978-1-003-29990-5.
- ^ Wöber, Franz Xaver (1893). Die Miller von und zu Aichholz: Eine genealogische Studie (in German). Gerold & Company. pp. 407–408.
- ^ Motschi, Andreas (2014). "Bechburger auf Abwegen?: Vier Geschwister zwischen Selbstbehauptung und Frevel". Jahrbuch für solothurnische Geschichte. 87: 266. doi:10.5169/seals-514020. ISSN 0258-0683.
