Worldwide Guide to Women in Leadership
CHRONOLOGICAL
LIST OF
PRINCESS ABBESSES
In
German: Fürstäbtissin/Reichsäbtissin,
French: Abbesse Princesse/Princesse d'Empire
and Dutch: Vorstin-Abdis
and other Abbesses with territorial or
ecclesiastical powers.
Also see women clergy
Among the many principalities of of the Holy Roman Empire of the
German Nation were a number of Ecclesiastical Territories were ruled by
an Abbess with the title of Princess-Abbess (Fürstäbtissin or
Reichsäbtissin).
The Imperial Immediacies (Reichsfreiheit
or Reichsunmittelbarkeit) held a privileged feudal and political status under
the direct authority of the Holy Roman Emperor and the Imperial Diet, without
any intermediary Liege lord(s) and therefore had the right to collect taxes and
tolls and held juridical rights themselves. The territories held seats in the
College of Prelates of Swabia or the Rhine, which held a joint vote
in the College of Princes of the Diet of the Holy Roman Empire. Many of the numerous
other minor Convents, Abbeys and Ladies Chapters functioned as landowners, regional ladies
and fiefholders and exercised the lower court right.
There were also a few Abbesses
with Quasi-Episcopal Powers in Italy and Spain.
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966-99 Princess-Abbess Mathilde I von Sachsen of Quedlinburg
(Germany)
997-99 Regent of the Holy Roman Empire
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Daughter of Emperor Otto I, she was appointed the first
Princess-Abbess - Reichsäbtissin - of Quedlinburg. She also acted as "domina
imperialis", and followed her brother Otto II on journey to Italy and
acted regent for her nephew, Otto III and as his representative in
Sachsen with the additional titles of Metropolitana of Quedlinburg and
Matrixcia of Sachsen (Substitute and Representative of the Emperor).
She lived
(955-999). |
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996-1001 Consors Imperii Sophie von Sachsen of the Holy Roman
Empire
1001-39 Reigning Abbess of Gandersheim, Abbess of Essen and
Vreden |
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The
daughter of Otto II, she joined the Chapter of Gandersheim at the age
of four, and aided her brother, Otto III in the politics of the Holy
Roman Empire, 994 she took part in the Reichstag of Sohlingen, and
went with him to Rome in 996, and she actually functioned as the First
Lady at Court, as "Consors Imperii". After Otto's death she and her
sister, Abbess Adelheid of Quedlinburg participated in the "Assembly
of the Great of Sachsen" in the Pfalz Werla, which chose their cousin,
Heinrich IV of Bayern as the new king under the name of Heinrich II,
and they both took part in his coronation. She had been elected Abbess
in 1001 but was in dispute with the Bishop of Hillesheim. Also
Heinrich's successor, Konrad, made contact with the two Princesses
after his election because of their high rank and stature in the
Empire. Sophie was also Abbess of Essen and Vreden. She
lived (975-1039). |
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999-1043 Princess-Abbess Adelheid I von Sachsen of Quedlinburg
1014-43 Reigning Abbess of Gernrode, Froshe, Vreden
1039-43 Reigning Abbess of Gandersheim (Germany)
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She
was daughter of Emperor Otto II and Theophano. Already as a child she
had been placed in the Chapter of Quedlinburg by her aunt, Mathilde.
In 984 she was taken hostage by Heinrich of Bavaria, who wanted to be
king of Germany and saw the seven year old girl as a possible tool,
since she had been considered a candidate for the succession in the
event of her brother's death, but she was liberated by a large Saxon
force Her sisters were also Abbesses: Sophia of Gandersheim, Ida of
Sankt Marias Köln, Hedwig of Neuss, Theophano of Nevilles and Mathilda
of Villach und Didenkirchen. Adelheid lived (977-1043 or 1045). |
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1003-25 Reigning Abbess Uta I von Kirchberg of Niedermünster in
Regensburg (Germany) |
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Also known as Uda, she is
considered as
one of the most important ladies in the history of the chapter. She
gave the monks in the neighbouring St. Emmeram the task of making an
expensive Evangelista, altar-book, which still exists. During her
reign the Convent was placed directly under the protection of the king
of Germany. |
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1020-after 27 Princess-Abbess Kunigunde I von Bayern of Göss bei Leoben
(Austria) |
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Her
grandchild, Aribo III handed it over to the protection of Emperor
Heinrich II, who granted it immunity and raised it to the status of an
Imperial Immediacy(reichsunmittelbaren Abtei) - the only one in
Austria - and removed the Chapter from the influence of the
Metropolits of Salzburg. She was sister of Aribos, and was the first
abbess with the title of a Princess of the Realm (geistlichen
Reichsfürstin). |
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Ca. 1020-40 Dame Abbesse Berscinda of Remiremont (France) |
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Ca. 1020-35 Dame Abbesse Berscinda
Daughter of Gerard/Gerhard II von Metz, Count of Elsass and Eva von Luxemburg.
She lived (After 1013-40) |
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1025-52 Reigning Abbess Heilka I von Rothenburg of Niedermünster
in Regensburg (Germany) |
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During the reign of her predecessor the Ladies Chapter for Noble
Ladies was placed directly as a fief under the king of Germany. |
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1044-46 Countess-Abbess Hazecha von Ballenstedt
of Gernrode and Frose (Germany) |
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According to the Annales Gernrodensis by the Chronicer
Andreas Popperodt, she was in office for 19 years, but only 2
decrees are known from her hand from 1044, when she asked King
Heinrich III to confirm her election, and 1046 she is mentionend in
a large donation given by her brother-in-law, Markgrave Ekkehard II.
von Meißen. She was
daughter of Count Adalbert I of von Ballenstedt and Hidda von
Ostmark. |
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1045-62 Princess-Abbess Beatrix I von Franken of Quedlinburg
1045-61 Reigning Abbess of Gandersheim (Germany)
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The
Princess was the
only daughter of Emperor Heinrich III and Gunhild of Denmark (The
daughter of Knud the Great of Denmark-England and Emma of Normandy),
and lived (1038-62). |
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1046-56/63 Countess-Abbess Hedwiga I von Ballenstedt of
Gernrode (Germany) |
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Also known as Hedwig, Heilika or Hazecha, she was probably the sister
of Count Esicho and Uta, who was married to Ekkehards II von Meißen.
After the death of Abbess Adelheid in 1043) Emperor III in Ballenstedt
appointed her abbess. Her brother partly gave parts of the lands he
inherited from their sister to the abbey, and for her family it added
to their prestige that she became abbess |
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1047-68/70 Dame Abbesse Oda d'Alsace of Remiremont (France) |
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Also known as Ode de Luxembourg, she was daughter of Gérard d'Alsace
comte de Metz and his wife, Gisèle. |
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Around 1052
Princess-Abbess Wilburgis
of Göss bei Leoben
(Austria) |
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She was head of the so-called Kanonissen or Chorfrauenstift it was founded around 1000
by Countess Palatine Adala of Bavaria. The abbot or provost
administered the estates of the clerical ladies, arranged the statues
and appointed the prioress. |
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1052-64 Reigning Abbess Gertrud I von Hals of Niedermünster in
Regensburg (Germany) |
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Member of a countly family. |
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1056/63-ca. 1118 Countess-Abbess Hedwig II von Stade of
Gernrode (Germany) |
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It is not certain when she started her reign. |
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1062-95 Princess-Abbess Adelheid II von Franken of Quedlinburg,
Reigning Abbess of Gandersheim (Germany)
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The
Abbess of Gandersheim from 1061, she succeeded half-sister, Beatrix I
von Franken. In 1070 the abbey and church burned down and it too about
60 years before the new church was inaugurated. She was daughter of
Emperor Heinrich III and Agnes de Puitou, and lived (1048-92). |
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1064-70 Reigning Abbess
Mathilde I von Luppurg
of Niedermünster in
Regensburg (Germany) |
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Her surname might have
been Lupburg. |
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Ca. 1066-?
Princess-Abbess Richardis of Göss bei Leoben
(Austria)
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She recived the full pastorial rights for the Church of the Chapter from the
Archbishop of Salzburg in 1070. Margaretha I also reigned sometime in the 1000s,
and Hemma at a not known time in the 1000s/1100s. |
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1070-89 Reigning Abbess Eilika von Northeim of Niedermünster
in Regensburg (Germany) |
Daughter of Count Otto von Northeim and Richenza von Schwaben
In a list by Paricius a Heylca, Duchesss of Franken, is named as
Abbess in the period 1088-89, but she has later been identified as
being identical with Eilika. |
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1070-before 1110 Dame Abbesse Giséle II von Lothringen of
Remiremont, St. Pierre and Metz (France) |
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She falsified a document that stated that she optained independent political
position of the abbey from Emperor Heinrich IV on 28. September 1070 and the
document showing that Pope Urban II placed the abbey
directly under his protection in 1088 was also falce. She lived
(1070-1114). |
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1073 Reigning Abbess Gertrudis of Niedermünster in Regensburg
(Germany) |
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Her origin is not known. |
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1074-88 Reigning Abbess Mathilde I von Lupburg of
Niedermünster in Regensburg (Germany) |
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It is not totally clear who reigned at this time, but a list in the
Church of Niedermünster puts Mathilde in charge during this period,
followed by Heylca II von Franken, who is identical with Eilika von
Nordheim. |
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1089-1103 Reigning Abbess
Uda II von Marburg of Niedermünster
in Regensburg (Germany) |
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Since 1002 the Reichsstift Niedermünster in Regensburg had been placed
directly under the king as the other states in Germany, it was granted
royal protection and, immunity. |
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1095-1103 Princess-Abbess Eilika of Quedlinburg (Germany)
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Possibly a member of the Billung-family, and was mentioned as
Dechaness in 1069. The source of her tenure is an inscription on a
coin. |
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1096-1104 Countess Abbess Adelheid III of Gandersheim (Germany)
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A
member of the Imperial Family. |
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1103-09 Reigning Abbess Richenzca II von Zolling of
Niedermünster in Regensburg (Germany) |
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During the 10th century the Church of the Chapter, which dated back to
700, was replaced by a new building. The present church dates back to
the middle of the 12th century. |
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1103-26 Princess-Abbess Agnes I of Poland of Quedlinburg
(Germany)
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Daughter of Duke Wladislaw of Poland and Judith, the daughter of
Emperor Heinrich III of Germany. |
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1104-1111 Countess-Abbess Frederun of Gandersheim (Germany)
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Also known as Vrederun, she was member of an important ruling families
of the Holy Roman Empire. |
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1109-16 Reigning Abbess Mathilde II von Kirchberg of
Niedermünster in Regensburg (Germany) |
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The third member of her countly family to lead the chapter and territory. |
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1111-25 Countess-Abbess Agnes I of Gandersheim (Germany)
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The niece of Emperor Heinrich IV der Salier, she was the last Abbess
from the Imperial family, and lived (1091-1125) |
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1114-1161/4 Dame Abbesse Judith I de Lorraine of Remiremont
1139-1161/4 Dame Abbesse of St. Pierre and Metz (France) |
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Also known as Judith de Vaudemont, she succeeded her aunt Gisèle II and was in
dispute over the authority over the chapter with her counsins, Simon I and
Mathieu I and Lorraine, and did not hesitate to appeal to Emperor Konrad III to
maintain her rights. She was daughter of Thierry II of Lorraine and Hedwig von Formbach. |
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1115-49 Reigning Abbess Pétronille de Chemillé of the Royal
Abbey of Fontevraud (France) |
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A cousin of Abbot Geoffrey of Vendôme she had married into the family
of the lords of Chemillé. At the time of her death there were more
than 50 mixed monasteries in the order, headed by a female superior,
distributed across the region bounded by northern Champagne, Lyonnais,
and Aragon. It was the largest and wealthiest federation of
monasteries for women in Western Europe. |
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1116-26 Reigning Abbess Reichzca III von Abensberg of
Niedermünster in Regensburg (Germany) |
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Member of a noble family that married into other high-ranking families
such as Hohenzollern and Cilli. |
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1118-52 Countess-Abbess Hedwiga III von Seeburg of Gernrode
(Germany) |
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During his lifetime Margrave Gero I donated Geronisroth, the villages
Dörfer Badeborn, Groß- und Klein-Alsleben, Oster- und Westeregeln as
well as Gröningen, and after his death the abbey and the Provosty of
Frose inherited all of his possessions. Margrave Ekkehard II and
Meißen und Hedwig von Seeburg added to the wealth by further
donations. The name of her successor is not known. The next known
Abbess is Richenza/Rikinza, who was elected in 1205. |
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1119-37 Princess-Abbess Ida III von Calw of Essen (Germany)
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She was born as Pfalzgräfin bei Rhine, and as Reichsfürstin (Princess
of the Realm) she had the right of vote in the College of the Prelates
of the Rhine, which held one joint vote in Ecclesiastical Bench of the
Council of Princes in the Imperial Diet of the Holy Roman Empire. |
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1125-30 Countess-Abbess Berta I of Gandersheim (Germany)
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As Abbess with
countly rank, she was semi-independent ruler of the secular
territories of the chapter. |
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1126-37 Princess-Abbess Gerburg von Kappenberg of Quedlinburg
(Germany)
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During her reign the fights between the Welfs and Staufs for the
kingship of Germany started and the city was occupied. |
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1126-30 Reigning Abbess Reichzca IV von Dornburg of
Niedermünster in Regensburg (Germany) |
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Since 1002 the Reichsstift Niedermünster in Regensburg had been placed
directly under the king as the other states in Germany, it was granted
royal protection and, immunity. |
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1130-36 Reigning Abbess
Heilka
III von Kirchberg of
Niedermünster in Regensburg (Germany) |
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Followed on the post by Kunigunde II von Kirchberg. |
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1130-52 Countess-Abbess Luitgard II of Gandersheim (Germany)
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She reformed the convents of Clus and Brunshausen, which belonged to
the abbey. In 1148 a Princely Assembly (Fürstentag) took place in the
chapter. |
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1136-77 Reigning Abbess Kunigunde II von Kirchberg of
Niedermünster in Regensburg (Germany) |
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Elected to succeed Heylca III von Kirchberg. |
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1137-40 Princess-Abbess Emma of Essen (Germany) |
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Elected as successor to Ida III. |
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1138-60 Princess-Abbess Beatrix II von Winzenburg of
Quedlinburg (Germany)
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She was mentioned as Abbess of Neuenheersee bei Paderborn in 1123. She
was daughter of Count Herman I and Countess Hedwig, regent of the
county from 1122.
Also
sister-in-law of Duke Albrechts des Bären of Sachsen. (d. 1160). |
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