Slovenia postage stamps year 2014 Barbara of Cilli

Barbara of Cilli: Queen, Empress, Regent

Barbara of Cilli, queen of Hungary and Bohemia, empress of the Holy Roman Empire, and regent of Hungary (died 11 July 1451)

The daughter of Herman II, count of Celje (a city in what is today Slovenia), and Anna of Schaunberg, Barbara of Cilli would become “one of the most powerful and influential women in fifteenth-century central Europe.” Her recent biographer writes that Barbara of Cilli “is one of the most remarkable historical female personalities of the Middle Ages,” a figure who became part legend, part myth, and part of the national folklore.

Barbara of Cilli was a prominent European noblewoman and queen consort during the late medieval period. She was the second wife of Sigismund of Luxembourg, Holy Roman Emperor, King of Hungary, and King of Bohemia. Barbara was known for her intelligence, political acumen, and sometimes controversial reputation.

Role as Queen and Empress

• Crowned Queen of Hungary in 1405, Queen of Germany in 1414, and Queen of Bohemia in 1437.
• Became Holy Roman Empress when Sigismund was crowned emperor in 1433.
• Barbara was actively involved in court politics, diplomacy, and the administration of her husband’s vast realms, though their relationship was often strained.

Achievements and Influence

• Political Savvy: Barbara managed to navigate the complex and often hostile politics of the Holy Roman Empire and surrounding territories. Her intelligence and assertiveness earned her both admirers and critics.
• Involvement in Religious and Military Affairs: She supported the Hussite movement in Bohemia, though this association damaged her reputation in Catholic circles.
• Wealth and Patronage: As a member of the House of Cilli, she was wealthy and influential, supporting various cultural and architectural projects.

Reputation and Legacy

Barbara’s bold personality and political activities led to accusations of ambition, immorality, and even witchcraft. She was:

• Nicknamed the “Messalina of Germany” by her detractors, comparing her to the infamous Roman empress for alleged immorality.
• Seen as a powerful and independent figure, but also one who challenged traditional gender roles of her time.

After Sigismund’s death in 1437, Barbara was politically sidelined. She was imprisoned for a time but eventually released. She spent her later years in relative obscurity and died in Mělník, Bohemia, in 1451.

Interesting Facts

• Barbara was one of the founding members of the Order of the Dragon, a chivalric order established by Sigismund to defend Christianity against the Ottoman Empire.
• The House of Cilli rose to prominence through her marriage but declined after her death.

Barbara remains a fascinating historical figure, remembered for her intelligence, independence, and controversial life.