Agneta Willeken

Agneta Willeken (1497-1562) was the lover of the German mercenary Marcus Meyer, one of the most notable participators of the Count's Feud. She was pointed out as a political participator on the side of Lübeck in the propaganda of the war.

She was the daughter of the merchant Peter Radkens of Hamburg and married the merchant Hans Willeken. Her spouse became ruined in 1527, and the couple moved to Lübeck, where she became a widow. She became the lover of Marcus Meyer, with whom she corresponded when he left to participate in the war. During Meyer's siege of Varberg Fortress in 1535, she sent him a letter, which was taken by the King of Denmark and used as propaganda material. This letter was used to point out Willeken as a major instigator and political participator of the war. She was pointed out as the main force behind the decision of the Lübeck mayor, Jürgen Wullenwever, to declare war on Holstein.

Notes

Sources

• Heinrich Reincke: Agneta Willeken. Ein Lebensbild aus Wullenwevers Tagen, Pfingstblätter des Hansischen Geschichtsvereins 1928
• Edith Ennen: Frauen im Mittelalter, C.H.Beck, 1999; S. 154–156