Sibylle of Cleves

Who was Sibylle of Cleves?

Sibylle of Cleves was Electress consort of Saxony.

She was the eldest daughter of John III, Duke of Cleves, and a sister of Anne of Cleves and Amalia of Cleves. Sibylle's mother was Maria of Jülich-Berg.

In September, 1526 Sibylle married John Frederick I, Elector of Saxony. She had four sons with her husband:

⁕John Frederick II, Duke of Saxony;

⁕John William, Duke of Saxe-Weimar;

⁕John Ernest;

⁕Duke John Frederick III of Saxony.

During the siege of Wittenberg, Sibylle protected the city in her husband's absence. To save his wife and sons, and to prevent Wittenberg from being destroyed, John Frederick conceded the Capitulation of Wittenberg, and resigned the government of his country in favour of Maurice of Saxony.