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- BIOGRAPHY
Maria was born about 1400, the daughter of Ziemowit IV, duke of Masovia, and Alexandra of Lithuania.
On 15 April 1433 in Poznan (Posen), Maria married Bogislaw IX, Herzog von Pommern-Stargard, son of Bogislaw VIII, Herzog von Pommern, and Gräfin Sophie von Holstein-Rendsburg. Her husband was also first cousin on his father's side to Erik X, king of Denmark, Sweden and Norway, the son of Wartislaw VII, Herzog von Pommern, his father's brother. The marriage of Bogislaw and Maria was intended to strengthen the bond of Bogislaw to Masovia and Lithuania, to the detriment of the Teutonic Knights who thereby lost the connection with German territory. Therefore the Knights attempted to prevent the wedding, and fearing a coup, Bogislaw had to go to Poznan for it disguised as a pilgrim. Maria and Bogislaw had two daughters, of whom Sophia would have progeny, marrying Erich II, Herzog von Pommern-Wolgast.
After her husband's death in 1446, Maria ruled the duchy of Pommern-Stargard until 1449, when Erik X took possession of the duchy as her husband's successor, ruling as Erich I, Herzog von Pommern-Stargard. Having lost his Scandinavian thrones between 1439 and 1442, he had established himself on the island of Gotland, engaging in piracy against the Swedes and the Danes. The childless Erik/Erich made Maria's daughter Sophia his heiress to Pommern-Stargard.
Maria died 18 February 1454, and was buried in the church of the castle of Stargard.
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