page_title: Maria of Jever
section_title: Lady of Jeverland
hierarchical_section_title: Maria of Jever / Lady of Jeverland
caption_attribution_description: Deutsch: Denkmal Frl Maria Jever
context_page_description: Maria of Jever, known in Jeverland as Fräulein Maria, was the last ruler of the Lordship of Jever from the Wiemken family. She ruled from 1517 to her death.
context_section_description: In 1531, in order do defend her rule against local rivals and enemies, Maria made the unusual decision of requesting assistance from Emperor Charles V, to assert her independence and secure her role against her neighbors. As Count of Holland and Duke of Brabant, he took possession of Jeverland and then gave it back to her as a fief. Thus, while the Emperor protected her right to rule, she ended the imperial immediacy Jeverland had enjoyed since 1417. Due to this, however, she was finally able to gain sole control over Jever.
  In the subsequent years, Maria managed to defend her father's inheritance and gradually got a grip on the business of government. Some sources state that this was due to her strong will and growing desire for independence.
  Initially oposed to the Reformation, she introduced Lutheranism in Jever in 1532. Maria has been described as a good ruler who did much for her territory. She benefitted trade and made sure that the justice system and law and order was respected. She stimulated the administration of justice and gave Jever city rights in 1536. She expanded her castle and enlarged her territory by creating new polders and locks, which allowed agriculture and commerce to flourish.
  In 1556, Maria converted the choir of the city church, which had been damaged several times, into a grave chapel. Between 1561 and 1564, a Renaissance grave monument for her father was erected in the chapel. This monument still exists.
caption: Monument to Maria of Jever, near Jever castle, by Harro Magnussen.
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