Christian Augustus, Count Palatine of Sulzbach

Christian Augustus (German: Christian August) (26 July 1622 – 23 April 1708) was the Count Palatine of Sulzbach from 1632 until 1708.

Christian Augustus, Count Palatine of Sulzbach, portrait c.1680.

Life

Christian Augustus was born in Sulzbach in 1622 as the eldest son of Augustus, Count Palatine of Sulzbach. He succeeded his father in 1632. Christian Augustus was a tolerant ruler. He granted his citizens the right to choose their Christian denomination and introduced the Simultaneum, whereby churches had both Protestant and Catholic services. In 1666 he permitted Jews to settle in the Duchy of Sulzbach. Under his rule, Sulzbach also became an intellectual centre and the site of a regionally significant printing industry.

He had a close relationship with his grand daughter Sibylle of Saxe-Lauenburg, wife of Louis William of Baden-Baden and Regent of her sons dominions.

Christian Augustus died in Sulzbach in 1708 and was buried in the Church of St Maria in Sulzbach.

Marriage and issue

Christian Augustus married Amalie of Nassau-Siegen (12 September 1615 – 24 August 1669), daughter of Count John VII, on 27 March 1649 and had the following children:

1. Hedwig of the Palatinate-Sulzbach (April 15, 1650 - November 23, 1681), married on 9 April 1668 Duke Julius Francis of Saxe-Lauenburg
2. Amalie (31 May 1651 – 11 December 1721)
3. John Augustus Hiel (11 December 1654 – 14 April 1658)
4. Christian (14 August 1656 – 9 November 1657)
5. Theodore Eustace (14 February 1659 – 11 July 1732) married Landgravine Maria Eleonore of Hesse-Rotenburg and had issue;

Christian Augustus, Count Palatine of Sulzbach House of Wittelsbach Born: 26 July 1622 Died: 23 April 1708
German royalty
Preceded by Augustus	Count Palatine of Sulzbach 1632 – 1708	Succeeded by Theodore Eustace