Johann VII, Duke of Mecklenburg

Johann VII of Mecklenburg (7 March 1558 – 22 March 1592) (sometimes called Johann V, and usually translated to John VII or John V) was a Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin.

Johann VII, Duke of Mecklenburg
Johann VII, Duke of Mecklenburg
Born	(1558-03-07)7 March 1558 Güstrow
Died	22 March 1592(1592-03-22) (aged 34) Stargard
Buried	Schwerin Cathedral
Noble family	House of Mecklenburg
Spouse(s)	Sophia of Schleswig-Holstein-Gottorp
Father	John Albert I, Duke of Mecklenburg-Güstrow and Schwerin
Mother	Anna Sophia of Prussia

Johann was the son of John Albert I, Duke of Mecklenburg-Güstrow and Schwerin (1525–1576), and his wife Duchess Anna Sophia of Prussia (1527–1591). He was eighteen years old when his father died. A regency council was appointed that ruled in his name for the next nine years.

The regency handed over the actual rule of his territories to him in 1585. He immediately faced problems he was ill-equipped to deal with, including massive debt and his uncle Christopher's demands for territorial concessions. After an especially harsh argument with his uncle, he committed suicide.

Since suicides could not be buried in hallowed ground, a story was concocted which alleged that Johann had been killed by the devil as part of a pact with two women from Schwerin. The women were questioned: Katharina Wankelmuth, who died from the effects of torture, and Magdalena Rukitz, who was burned at the stake. Their condemnation as witches cleared the way for Johann's burial in Schwerin Cathedral.