Name Catherine Cleves | Mother Marie of Burgundy Role 1417–1479 | |
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Born 25 May 1417Schwanenburg Castle in Cleves ( 1417-05-25 ) Children Mary of Guelders, Adolf, Duke of Guelders Parents Adolph I, Duke of Cleves, Marie of Burgundy, Duchess of Cleves Grandchildren James III of Scotland, Charles II, Duke of Guelders Similar People | ||
Catherine (25 May 1417 – 10 February 1479) was Duchess of Guelders. The Hours of Catherine of Cleves was commissioned for her.
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Family
Catherine was the daughter of Adolph I, Duke of Cleves and Marie of Burgundy. She was a niece of Philip the Good.
Book of Hours
The Hours of Catherine of Cleves was commissioned for her when she married Arnold, Duke of Guelders, on 26 January 1430. It shows her lineage, as well as herself in prayer. The hours had been lost for four hundred years before resurfacing in 1856. It is one of the most richly decorated books of its kind that is preserved.
Life
Catherine lived with her parents until 1431, despite already having been married the year before. She had close ties with Philip of Burgundy, who was mistrusted by her husband. Catherine had her daughter Mary raised at the Burgundian court. When her husband punished Driel, he lost support in his duchy. Catherine acted as intermediate between her husband and the Estates of the realm. In 1450, Duke Arnold went on a pilgrimage to Rome and Palestine. During his absence, Catherine acted as regent.
She supported her son Adolf when he took over power from his father. Charles, Duke of Burgundy had Adolf taken capture in 1470, when he proved an unreliable ally to Burgundy. Catherine spent her last years in Lobith, where she died in 1476.