Margarete Weißkirchner


Margarete Weißkirchner, was the common-law-spouse of Philip I, Count of Hanau-Münzenberg from 1477 until their death in 1500. They openly lived together after the death of Philip's spouse in 1477. They could not marry, because she was a commoner. Margaret was not considered Philip's royal mistress, but was treated as if though they were married.
He appeared with her in public. The most representative testimony is probably the first large-scale double-portrait in art history, the so-called Gotha Lovers. Their relationship is exceptionally well documented. The couple had three children:
These children could not inherit the county, because they did not belong to the high nobility. Nevertheless, Philip and Margareta included them in their will.