Catherine of Hanau | |
Noble Family: | House of Hanau |
Father: | Reinhard II, Count of Hanau |
Mother: | Catherine of Nassau-Beilstein |
Spouse: | Thomas II of Rieneck William II, Count of Henneberg-Schleusingen |
Birth Date: | 25 January 1408 |
Death Place: | Maßfeld Castle in Untermaßfeld |
Catherine of Hanau also known as Katharina (25 January 1408 - 25 September 1460) was a German regent. She was the regent of the County of Rieneck during the minority of her son from 1431 until 1434. She was the eldest daughter of Reinhard II, who would become the first Count of Hanau in 1429, and Catherine of Nassau-Beilstein (d. 6 September 1459).
She first married in 1421, to Count Thomas II of Rieneck (before 1408 - 8 February 1431), who was twice a widower at that time, having been married before to Elisabeth of Henneberg and to Elisabeth of Castell. His first two marriages were childless. Catherine and Thomas were engaged on 14 October 1419. After their marriage, the pair resided at Wildenstein Castle.
They had the following children:
After Thomas' death in 1431, Catherine became the guardian of her children, who were still minors. She ruled as regent for three years. When she remarried in 1434, the guardianship and regency of Rieneck were taken up by her brother Reinhard III.
In 1434, Catherine married Count William II of Henneberg-Schleusingen (14 March 1415 - 8 January 1444[1] in a hunting accident). Catherine and William were engaged on 17 May 1432. On 15 June 1432, Catherine renounced her claim on the County of Rieneck, in exchange for 8000 guilders. From her husband, she received a dowry of 16000 guilder, which was secured with the district and castle of Mainberg Castle, near Schweinfurt.
Catherine and William had the following children:
Catherine died on 25 September 1460 Massfeld Castle in Untermassfeld.