- Charles Edzard, Prince of East Frisia
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Charles Edzard, Prince of East Frisia Charles Edzard, Prince of East Frisia Spouse(s) Sophie Wilhelmine of Brandenburg-Kulmbach-Bayreuth Noble family Cirksena Father George Albert, Prince of East Frisia Mother Countess Christine Louise of Nassau-Idstein Born 18 June 1716
AurichDied 25 May 1744 (aged 27)
AurichCharles Edzard (18 June 1716, Aurich – 25 May 1744, Aurich) was the last prince of East Frisia. He ruled from 12 June 1734 until his death. He was the fourth child of the reigning prince George Albert and Princess Christine Louise, née Princess of Nassau-Idstein and was born at the castle in Aurich.
Contents
Youth
Charles Edzard was received a harsh, authoritarian education from his father George Albert, in an atmosphere of bigotry and ascetic piety, which did not leave the child any freedom or opportunities for self development. The fact that all of his siblings died during their first year of life, had caused the father to panic and fear of the extinction of the male line of the Cirksena. He was meticulously planning the daily schedule. Every week, every day, every hour has been prescribed by a precise timetable to be followed to the prince. Even the recovery phase, the hours to ride and to walk were scheduled exactly.
Charles Edzard was taught Roman law, medieval history and French. He never received a military training, even though he was appointed colonel and chief of the small princely militia by his father at the age of 10. Due to his father's early death, no time remained for studying. His travels were limited on the court in Aurich, the hunting lodge in Sandhorst and the princely Berum Castle. He never even visited Emden, the largest city of his territory, though he once looked at it from a distance.
Prince
The Charles Edzards's father had been ill for a long period. He had a stroke before Charles Edzards's 18th birthday. A wedding was hastily arranged for the man who was never allowed to decide anything in his life. This time it was probably his step-mother who decided for him. She selected Princess Sophie Wilhelmine of Brandenburg-Kulmbach-Bayreuth (1714–1749), the daughter of her oldest sister, and arranged the betrothal between Charles Edzards and his cousin Sophie Wilhelmine, who was just sixteen years old. They married on 25 May 1734 at Berum castle.
Three weeks later, on 12 June 1734, the father died, and Charles Edzard was ruler of East Frisia, without being really prepared for this task. After years of conflicts of recent years between the Princely House and the Estates, the Prince had hardly any prestige left. The city of Emden and other rebellious Estates refused to pay him homage. Whether Charles Edzard contributed at all to the administration of his country, is at least doubtful. It is likely that "his" decisions were in fact made by other people.
Charles Edzard died unexpectedly on 25 May 1744, just 28 years old, four days after his wife, Princess Sophia Wilhelmina, had had a miscarriage. He was the last sovereign Prince of East Frisia. The circumstances of his death, whether natural or not, can no longer be ascertained. Without doubt, Charles Edzard was one of the unhappiest people in the East Frisian history.
Ancestors
Ancestors of Charles Edzard, Prince of East Frisia 16. Ulrich II, Count of East Frisia 8. George Christian, Prince of East Frisia 17. Juliana of Hesse-Darmstadt 4. Christian Everhard, Prince of East Frisia 18. Eberhard III, Duke of Württemberg (= 22, 30) 9. Christine Charlotte of Württemberg 19. Anna Catherine, Wild- and Rhinegravine of Salm-Kyrburg (= 23, 31) 2. George Albert, Prince of East Frisia 20. Joachim Ernest of Oettingen-Oettingen (= 28) 10. Albert Ernest I of Oettingen-Oettingen (= 14) 21. Anna Dorothea of Hohenlohe-Neuenstein-Gleichen (= 29) 5. Eberhardine Sophie of Oettingen-Oettingen 22. Eberhard III, Duke of Württemberg (= 18, 30) 11. Christine Friederike of Württemberg (= 15) 23. Anna Catherine, Wild- and Rhinegravine of Salm-Kyrburg (= 19, 31) 1. Charles Edzard of East Frisia 24. Louis II, Count of Nassau-Weilburg 12. John, Count of Nassau-Idstein 25. Anna of Nassau-Dillenburg 6. George August, Count of Nassau-Idstein 26. George Frederick, Margrave of Baden-Durlach 13. Sibylle Magdalene of Baden-Durlach 27. Juliane Ursula of Salm-Neufville 3. Christine Louise of Nassau-Idstein 28. Joachim Ernest of Oettingen-Oettingen (= 20) 14. Albert Ernest I of Oettingen-Oettingen (= 10) 29. Anna Dorothea of Hohenlohe-Neuenstein-Gleichen (= 21) 7. Henriette Dorothea of Oettingen-Oettingen 30. Eberhard III, Duke of Württemberg (= 18, 22) 15. Christine Friederike of Württemberg (= 11) 31. Anna Catherine, Wild- and Rhinegravine of Salm-Kyrburg (= 19, 23) References and sources
- Tielke, Martin (ed.): Biographisches Lexikon für Ostfriesland, Ostfriesisches Landschaftliche Verlag- u. Vertriebsgeschäft, Aurich, vol. 1 ISBN 3-925365-75-3 (1993), vol. 2 ISBN 3-932206-00-2 (1997), vol. 3 ISBN 3-932206-22-3 (2001)
- This page is a translation of its German equivalent.
Charles Edzard, Prince of East FrisiaBorn: 18 June 1716 Died: 25 May 1744Preceded by
George AlbertPrince of East Frisia
1734-1744Succeeded by
Frederick II
as King in PrussiaCategories:- East Frisia
- 1716 births
- 1744 deaths
- German nobility
- House of Cirksena
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