Margarete Weißkirchner

Margarete Weißkirchner (1460-1500), 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.

Margarete Weißkirchner and Philip I, Count of Hanau-Münzenberg

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:

• Elsa of Hanau, married around 1508 with Heinrich Rabe.
• John of Hanau-Münzenberg, a priest in Ober-Roden.
• Anne of Hanau, married in 1517 with Dietz Reuter, a publican at Ortenberg.

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.