Mechtild of Guelders (c. 1324 – 1384, in Huissen) was the ruling suo jure Duchess of Guelders from 1371 to 1379, after succeeding her brother, Reginald II, Duke of Guelders.[1] [2] [3]
She married Johann, Count of Cleves in 1336. By marriage, she was countess of Cleves between 1347 and 1368. She had no children.
When her brother Reginald III, Duke of Guelders died without issue in 1371, both Mechtild and her younger sister Mary made a claim on the Duchy of Guelders. The Duchy explicitly allowed for female succession, and Mechtild had the right to inherit as the eldest daughter. However, since she had no children while Mary had a son, there were still hesitation to choose Metchild because the selection of a childless ruler would result in a future succession crisis. The Heeckerens and the Bronkhorsten-parties sided with Metchild and Mary respectively, and different cities choose different sisters, resulting in civil war between the sisters over the Duchy.[4]
In 1376, the succession was finally settled when the Emperor gave his support to Mary in recognition of her husband, who had agreed to release the emperor's brother, whom he had long kept hostage, from captivity.[5] However, Mechtild and her followers continued to fight until they were finally forced to give up and retread from the Duchy in 1379.