Maria of Jülich-Berg

Maria of Jülich-Berg was born on 3 August 1491, in Jülich, Germany, to Wilhelm IV, Duke of Jülich-Berg, and Sibylle of Brandenburg. She became the Duchess of Jülich-Berg and the sole heiress to her father’s estates after it became clear that no more children would be born to her parents. In 1509, she married John III, Duke of Cleves, which resulted in the union of her inherited estates with the Duchy of Cleves, forming the United Duchies of Jülich-Cleves-Berg. Maria’s daughter, Anna, is notably known as the consort of King Henry VIII of England.