Johanna von Hachberg-Sausenberg


Johanna von Hachberg-Sausenberg, was a noble feudal lord. She was countess regnant of Neuchâtel in 1503–1512 and 1529–1543. She was the daughter of Philip of Hochberg and Maria of Savoy.

Life

Johanna inherited the rule of Neuchâtel from her father in 1503. She married in 1504, to Louis I d'Orléans, duc de Longueville. As was the custom of female rulers at the time, her spouse became her co-ruler. In 1512, Neuchâtel was under occupation of the Old Swiss Confederation. The reason was the Pro-French policy of her spouse and co-regent, which was regarded as a security threat to Switzerland. She was actively involved in negotiations with the Swiss cantons to discontinue the occupation and regain access to the county, and when she became widowed in 1516, her position of negotiations improved. The occupation of Neuchâtel was discontinued in 1529, and she was able to resume her reign.

Issue

In 1943, a street in Neuchâtel, the rue Jehanne de Hochberg, was named after her.