Sophie Hedwig of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel (1592–1642)
Regency
### Regency

When she was widowed, Sophia took up residence at [widow seat](/wiki/Wittum "Wittum"), the Countly Castle at [Diez](/wiki/Diez%2C_Germany "Diez, Germany"). Nassau\-Dietz had been inherited by her eldest son, who was twenty and old enough to rule on his own. He was however appointed governor of Friesland, and appointed his mother as his regent to rule in his absence.

She and managed to minimize damage caused during the [Thirty Years' War](/wiki/Thirty_Years%27_War "Thirty Years' War"). She prevented looting and quartering in the city and county during the [Thirty Years' War](/wiki/Thirty_Years%27_War "Thirty Years' War") by skillfully negotiating with army commanders. Sophia made a name for herself outside the county when she turned to [Axel Oxenstierna](/wiki/Axel_Oxenstierna "Axel Oxenstierna") in 1633 and demanded compensation for the damage his troops had done to her territory. Domestically, she cared for the rural population and made sure there was a sufficient supply of food and water. When Diez was affected by a [plague](/wiki/Plague_%28disease%29 "Plague (disease)") epidemic in 1635, she was ready to help.

Sophia was a [Calvinist](/wiki/Calvinism "Calvinism"), but this did not prevent her from benefitting from a cooperation with her brother\-in\-law [John Louis](/wiki/John_Louis_of_Nassau-Hadamar "John Louis of Nassau-Hadamar") of Nassau\-Hadamar, who had reverted to [Catholicism](/wiki/Catholic_Church "Catholic Church").

When her eldest son died and was succeeded by her youngest son in 1640, she was confirmed in her position as regent and continued to rule.

[thumb\|Sophia Hedwig and some of her children, by [Paulus Moreelse](/wiki/Paulus_Moreelse "Paulus Moreelse").](/wiki/Image:Sophia_Hedwig_van_Brunswijk-Wolfenbuttel_as_Caritas_with_her_sons%2C_by_Paulus_Moreelse.jpg "Sophia Hedwig van Brunswijk-Wolfenbuttel as Caritas with her sons, by Paulus Moreelse.jpg")


What title was given to Sophia by her eldest son?