Heinrich II 'the Lion' Furst zu Mecklenburg
Leo van de Pas
died 21 January 1329, buried at Doberan
married (1) 11 August 1292 Beatrix von Brandenburg
(2) 1315 Anna of Saxe-Wittenberg
(3) 1328 Agnes von Lindau-Ruppin
Together with his brother Johann he ruled Mecklenburg during their
father's absence. By defeating the robber-knights and destroying their
strongholds he restored peace in Mecklenburg. At Erfurt he was knighted
by Emoperor Rudolf. In 1292 through his first wife he obtained the
city and lands of Stargard and called himself Lord of Mecklenburg and
Stargard.
He had to fight the cities of Wismar and Rostock as they tried to free
themselves from their rulers, the Dukes of Mecklenburg. Wismar soon
relented but it took much longer with Rostock. However, Heinrich had to
acknowledge King Eric of Denmark as overlord for Rostock; but when this
king died in 1319, he annexed Rostock and forced the new King of Denmark
to secede Rostock formally. In 1322 he took the additional title of
Lord of Rostock.
However, back in 1310 his claims on Brandenburg were not supported by
Emperor Ludwig IV nor could he obtain the principality of Rugen even
by force. His warlike actions impoverished Mecklenburg and when he
levied the monasteries they refused to pay, so Heinrich retaliated by
stopping their incomes altogether. The Bishop of Ratzeburg punished him
by placing the church interdict on him; when this was lifted in 1324
Heinrich founded the monastery at Ribnitz.
His first wife died in 1314 and for his second wife he married Anna
of Saxe-Wittenberg, a granddaughter of Emperor Rudolf. However, she
died in 1327 and a year later he married Agnes von Lindau-Ruppin.
By his first wife he had fathered one daughter, by his second six
children, but none by his third wife.
Best wishes
Leo van de Pas