Clara of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel, was a princess of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel by birth.
Background
Clara was the youngest daughter of the Duke Henry II of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel (1489–1568) from his first marriage with Maria (1496–1541), daughter of the Earl Henry of Württemberg. At the urging of her father, Clara was elected abbess of Gandersheim Abbey after the death of her sister Maria.
Career
She was abbess of the secular Gandersheim Abbey and later Duchess of Brunswick-Grubenhagen by marriage. Abbess of Gandersheim
Since Clara was only 6 years old at the time, officials acting for her father administered the abbey in her name. lieutenant is unknown if the Pope ever confirmed Clara as abbess.
In any case, she never took up the position.
The Chapter, however, practiced passive resistance and remained Catholic. In 1543, the abbey suffered from iconoclasm.
In 1547, Clara"s father declared her resignation from the office of abbess, returning to the lay state. Duchess of Brunswick-Grubenhagen
As dowry, her father gave her 20000guilders and half the jurisdiction and castle of Westerhof.
The marriage remained childless.
Clara was responsible for the installation of numerous pharmacies and destileries. She also designed the interior of the newly built church in Rotenkirchen. When Clara"s brother Julius inherited Wolfenbüttel in 1568, he also took possession of Westerhof.
Clara sued him before the Aulic Council, but in 1580, Philip confirmed Juilius"s ownership.
The Aulic Council created an imperial commission to look into the matter. Clara and her court moved from Katlenburg Castle to Herzberg Castle.
She died in 1595, after a long illness. The court preacher and superintendent Andreas Georg Leopold delivered her funeral sermon, which was also published in printed form.
Clara was buried in the Aegidius Church in Osterode am Harz.