Charles I, Duke of Mecklenburg

Charles I
Duke of Mecklenburg
File:Schloss-mirow-wappen-1588.jpg Charles's coat of arms at the getehouse he built in 1588 at the Castle Island in Mirow
Noble family	Mecklenburg
Father	Albert VII, Duke of Mecklenburg
Mother	Anna of Brandenburg
Born	(1540-12-28)28 December 1540 Neustadt
Died	Güstrow

Charles I, Duke of Mecklenburg[-Güstrow] (28 December 1540 in Neustadt – 22 July 1610 in Güstrow), was the reigning Duke of Mecklenburg in the Mecklenburg-Güstrow part of the country.

He was the youngest son of the Duke Albert VII and his wife, Anna of Brandenburg. Between 1564 and 1610, Charles was administrator of the commandry of the Order of Saint John at Mirow. After the deaths of his elder brothers John Albert I in 1576 and Ulrich in 1603, he became the ruling Duke of Mecklenburg-Güstrow from 14 March 1603 until his death. He also acted as guardian and regent for his grandnephews John Albert II and Adolf Frederick I, who had inherited Mecklenburg-Schwerin from John Albert I in 1576. Between 1592 and 1610, he was also administrator of the Bishopric of Ratzeburg.

When in 1603 John VII of Mecklenburg-Schwerin died, Charles I tasked John's widow, Sophia of Schleswig-Holstein-Gottorp with the guardianship and regency of Mecklenburg-Schwerin on behalf of her minor sons Adolf Frederick I and John Albert II. In 1608, Charles asked the emperor to declare Adolf Frederick I an adult.

External links

• Literature about Charles I, Duke of Mecklenburg in the State Bibliography (Landesbibliographie) of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern

• Genealogical tables of the House of Mecklenburg

Charles of Mecklenburg House of Mecklenburg Born: 28 December 1540 Died: 22 July 1610
Regnal titles
Religious titles
Preceded by Christopher	Administrator of the Prince-Bishopric of Ratzeburg 1592–1610	Succeeded by Augustus I
Regnal titles
Preceded by Ulrich	Duke of Mecklenburg-Güstrow 1603–1610	Succeeded by John Albert II