Anne of Denmark, Electress of Saxony

Anne of Denmark (Danish and German: Anne; Haderslev, 22 November 1532 – Dresden, 1 October 1585) was a Danish princess from the House of Oldenburg. Through her marriage to Augustus of Saxony, she became Electress of Saxony. She was renowned for her medical knowledge both in the preparation of herbal remedies and her involvement in midwifery. Her interest contributed to the development of farming and horticulture in Saxony. She was a major influence in the introduction of orthodox Lutheranism and played a role in the decision to persecute Calvinists.

Childhood Anne of Denmark was a daughter of King Christian III of Denmark and Norway and his wife Dorothea of Saxe-Lauenburg. Her mother taught her the basic principles of gathering medicinal plants and preparing herbal remedies. After the introduction of Protestantism in Denmark-Norway in 1537, she was raised as a strict orthodox Lutheran. She was a very active advocate of Lutheranism and played a role in the suppression of crypto-Calvinism in Saxony between 1574 and 1577. It is unclear to what extent she was involved in the harsh persecution of Calvinists which included torture and long periods of incarceration. She had good relations with other royal and princely houses and was frequently asked to act as an intermediary, in conflicts as well as in marriage negotiations.

Anne’s most popular medicine was aqua vitae which she learned directly from the personal instruction of Countess Dorothea of Mansfeld from 1555-1559. Yellow and white aqua vitae were particularly complicated alcoholic distillations of water infused with herbs. They were remedies for dizziness, epidemic disease, stroke, epilepsy, dropsy, plague, chest congestion, heart palpitations, evil stomach, constipation, and eye pain. Anne used her communication network to distribute her salve, gifting it to acquaintances and nobles, most especially around gift giving times like New Year’s.

As Anne’s skill improved, she emphasized the importance of proper technique and careful attention in each step of the production process. Anne called this focus on the making of her medicines "handiwork" and it would remain an important aspect of her medical practice throughout her career. Beyond her practice making remedies, she later redesigned instruments used in the distillation process to be more efficient. These improvements included new flasks with longer necks and stronger glass jars to transport her aqua vitae. thumb

Children John Henry (b. Weissenfels, 5 May 1550 – d. Weissenfels, 12 November 1550). Eleonore (b. Wolkenstein, 2 May 1551 – d. Wolkenstein, 24 April 1553). Elisabeth (b. Wolkenstein, 18 October 1552 – d. imprisoned in Heidelberg, 2 April 1590), married on 4 June 1570 to Count Palatine Johann Casimir of Simmern; they were separated in 1589. Alexander (b. Dresden, 21 February 1554 – d. Dresden, 8 October 1565), Hereditary Elector of Saxony. Magnus (b. Dresden, 24 September 1555 – d. Dresden, 6 November 1558). Joachim (b. Dresden, 3 May 1557 – d. Dresden, 21 November 1557). Hector (b. Dresden, 7 October 1558 – d. Dresden, 4 April 1560). Christian I (b. Dresden, 29 October 1560 – d. Dresden, 25 September 1591), successor of his father in the Electorship. Marie (b. Torgau, 8 March 1562 – d. Torgau, 6 January 1566). Dorothea (b. Dresden, 4 October 1563 – d. Wolfenbüttel, 13 February 1587), married on 26 September 1585 to Duke Heinrich Julius of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel. Amalie (b. Dresden, 28 January 1565 – d. Dresden, 2 July 1565). Anna (b. Dresden, 16 November 1567 – d. imprisoned in Veste Coburg, 27 January 1613), married on 16 January 1586 to Duke John Casimir, Duke of Saxe-Coburg-Eisenach; they divorced in 1593. Augustus (b. Dresden, 23 October 1569 – d. Dresden, 12 February 1570). Adolf (b. Stolpen, 8 August 1571 – d. Dresden, 12 March 1572). Frederick (b. Anneberg, 18 June 1575 – d. Anneberg, 24 January 1577).

Ancestry

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