- Princess Maria Augusta of Thurn and Taxis
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Princess Maria Augusta of Thurn and Taxis Duchess of Württemberg Maria Augusta in 1735, portrait by Jan Phillip von Schlichtem Spouse Karl Alexander, Duke of Württemberg Issue Karl Eugen, Duke of Württemberg
Louis Eugene, Duke of Württemberg
Frederick II Eugene, Duke of Württemberg
Auguste, Princess of Thurn and TaxisFull name German: Maria Augusta Anna House House of Thurn and Taxis (by birth)
House of Württemberg (by marriage)Father Anselm Franz, 2nd Prince of Thurn and Taxis Mother Maria Ludovika Anna Franziska, Princess of Lobkowicz Born 11 August 1706
Frankfurt am Main, HesseDied 1 February 1756 (aged 49)
Göppingen, WürttembergReligion Roman Catholic Princess Maria Augusta Anna of Thurn and Taxis (11 August 1706 – 1 February 1756) was a Regent of Württemberg. She was a member of the Princely House of Thurn and Taxis as a daughter of Anselm Franz, 2nd Prince of Thurn and Taxis and his wife Maria Ludovika Anna Franziska, Princess of Lobkowicz.[1] Through her marriage to Karl Alexander, Duke of Württemberg, she became Duchess consort of Württemberg.
Contents
Early life
Maria Augusta was born on 11 August 1706. She grew up in the Austrian Netherlands and later moved to Frankfurt, where her family's wealth and economic interests were based.[2] Her only brother was Alexander Ferdinand, 3rd Prince of Thurn and Taxis, whose son Karl Anselm would marry Maria Augusta's only daughter in 1753.
Marriage and children
Maria Augusta was chosen as a bride for Karl Alexander, Duke of Württemberg-Winnental (later Duke of Württemberg) because of her Roman Catholic religion. They were married on 1 May 1727 in Frankfurt am Main. They had four surviving children:
- Karl Eugen, Duke of Württemberg (1728–1793), married Elisabeth Fredericka Sophie of Brandenburg-Bayreuth; no issue.
- Eugen Louis (1729)
- Louis Eugene, Duke of Württemberg (1731–1795), married Sophie Albertine of Beichlingen; had issue.
- Frederick II Eugene, Duke of Württemberg (1732–1797), married Friederike Dorothea of Brandenburg-Schwedt; had issue.
- Alexander Eugen (1733–1734)
- Auguste Elisabeth (1734–1787), married Karl Anselm, 4th Prince of Thurn and Taxis; had issue.
Their ten-year marriage was turbulent, and they were generally felt to be each other's match in every way (as both were masters of intrigue and secret diplomacy).[2] He often used a trusted servant to spy on his wife to ensure that she would not interfere in government or criticize the Duke's ministers. After a particularly serious dispute in 1736, her husband even had her promise in writing to stay out of government affairs.[2]
Regent
Maria Augusta's husband died suddenly on 12 March 1737 on the eve of his departure on a military inspection tour.[3] This meant that their nine year old son Karl Eugen succeeded as Duke of Württemberg. After experiencing initial trouble from the regency council in trying to hold power for her son, she was finally successful on 5 November 1737. She was granted a large allowance and was recognized as co-regent with control over her son's education.[4]
From 1739 to the following year, she had an affair with a captain in the army. Rumors of a possible pregnancy became so widespread that the privy council began an investigation; the captain was discharged and she was forced to stay in Brussels for five months (beginning in April 1740). Her exile removed her from direct power, especially when crucial policy decisions and preparations for her son's education were being made.[5] For instance, she was unable to prevent a disastrous alliance with Prussia that would leave Württemberg exposed at the outbreak of the War of the Austrian Succession.
By 1744 however, Maria Augusta had again achieved a position of considerable influence. She arranged military careers for her two eldest sons, allowing them to receive commissions in the Prussian army. In 1748, she encouraged her eldest son the reigning Duke Karl Eugen to enter into a marriage with the Hohenzollern Elisabeth Fredericka Sophie of Brandenburg-Bayreuth, a niece of Frederick the Great.[5] As a Catholic, she prepared her youngest son Frederick Eugen for a life in the Imperial Church.[5] Her dreams for a life of religion for him fell apart however when he became engaged to another niece of Frederick the Great, Friederike Dorothea of Brandenburg-Schwedt in 1753; he also became one of Frederick's most important cavalry commanders.[5]
Maria Augusta's influence would decline as her son grew increasingly more independent by 1749. She died on 1 February 1756 in Göppingen, Württemberg.
Personal attributes
Maria Augusta was often praised by contemporaries for her beauty. In addition, she was also often criticized for her lack of judgment and resolve however.[2] This criticism most likely stemmed from the fact that she liked to breach the contemporary norms of a consort and involve herself in the affairs of government.
She also liked to openly demonstrate her rank as Duchess of Württemberg by spending lavishly, which set her at odds with her thrifty subjects.[2] For instance, her wardrobe contained 228 dresses; the most expensive cost 500 florins, which was more than 30 times a servant's annual income.[2] Although often portrayed as an intellectual lightweight, she owned a large library that contained the latest novels, plays, and philosophy. She also maintained a correspondence with Voltaire.[3]
Titles, styles, honours and arms
Honours
Ancestry
Ancestors of Princess Maria Augusta of Thurn and Taxis 16. Leonard II, Count of Taxis 8. Claudius Lamoral II, Count of Thurn and Taxis 17. Alexandra de Rye, Countess of Varax 4. Eugen Alexander Franz, 1st Prince of Thurn and Taxis 18. Philippe Lamoral de Hornes, Count of Houtekerke 9. Countess Anne Francoise Eugénie of Hornes 19. Dorothée de Ligne-Arenberg 2. Anselm Franz, 2nd Prince of Thurn and Taxis 20. Egon, Count of Fürstenberg-Heiligenberg 10. Herman Egon, Landgrave of Fürstenberg 21. Countess Anna Maria of Hohenzollern-Hechingen 5. Princess Anna Adelheid of Fürstenberg 22. Friedrich Rudolf, Count of Fürstenberg 11. Countess Franziska of Fürstenberg-Stühlingen 23. Countess Anna Magdalena of Hanau-Lichtenberg 1. Princess Maria Augusta of Thurn and Taxis 24. Zdenek Vojtech, Prince of Lobkowicz 12. Václav Eusebius František, Prince of Lobkowicz 25. Polyxena von Pernstein 6. Ferdinand August Leopold, Prince of Lobkowicz, Duke of Sagan 26. August, Count Palatine of Sulzbach 13. Countess Palatine Augusta Sophie of Sulzbach 27. Hedwig of Schleswig-Holstein-Gottorp 3. Maria Ludovika Anna Franziska, Princess of Lobkowicz 28. Edward Fortunatus, Margrave of Baden-Rodemachern and Baden-Baden 14. Wilhelm, Margrave of Baden-Baden 29. Marie van der Eycken 7. Margravine Maria Anna Wilhelmine of Baden-Baden 30. Ernst, Count of Oettingen-Katzenstein 15. Countess Maria Magdalene of Oettingen 31. Countess Katharina of Helfenstein References
Sources
- Lundy, Darryl. "The Peerage: Marie-Auguste Prinzessin von Thurn und Taxis". http://thepeerage.com/p11492.htm#i114919. Retrieved 15 December 2009.
- Wilson, Peter H. (2004). "Women and Imperial Politics: The Württemberg Consorts 1674-1757" in Queenship in Europe 1660-1815: The Role of the Consort. Clarissa Campbell Orr (ed.). Cambridge University Press. ISBN 0521814227.
External links
Media related to Duchess Maria Augusta von Württemberg at Wikimedia Commons
Princess Maria Augusta of Thurn and TaxisBorn: 11 August 1706 Died: 1 February 1756Regnal titles Preceded by
Eleonore Juliane of Brandenburg-AnsbachDuchess consort of Württemberg-Winnental
1 May 1727 – 12 March 1737Succeeded by
Elisabeth Fredericka Sophie of Brandenburg-BayreuthPreceded by
Joanna Elisabeth of Baden-DurlachDuchess consort of Württemberg-Stuttgart
31 October 1733 – 12 March 1737The generations are numbered from the elevation of Eugen Alexander Franz to Prince of Thurn and Taxis in 1695. 1st Generation Princess Maria Josepha2nd Generation Princess Maria Philippine Eleonore · Maria Augusta, Duchess of Württemberg3rd Generation Princess Sophie Christine · Princess Luise Auguste Charlotte · Maria Theresia, Countess of Ahlefeldt-Langeland · Princess Josephine · Princess Maria Anna Josepha · Marie Elisabetha Alexandrina, Landgravine of Fürstenberg4th Generation Maria Theresia, Princess of Oettingen-Oettingen and Oettingen-Wallerstein · Sophie Friederike, Prince Hieronim Wincenty Radziwiłł · Henrica Karoline, Princess of Oettingen-Oettingen and Oettingen-Spielberg · Princess Friederike Dorothea5th Generation Princess Charlotte Luise · Maria Theresia, Princess Esterházy of Galántha · Princess Luise Friederike · Maria Sophia, Duchess Paul Wilhelm of Württemberg · Marie Sophie, Countess Giovanni Battista of Montfort · Princess Maria Eleonora · Maria Theresia, Countess Edmund of Belcredi · Luise Sophie, Baron Hermann of Guttenberg · Adelheid Caroline, Countess Philipp von der Leyen und zu Hohengeroldseck · Princess Rosa · Sophie Anne, Countess Max Joseph Ortolf of Sandizell · Helene, Countess Wolfgang Kinsky of Wchinitz and Tettau · Princess Laura · Princess Irene6th Generation Therese, Duchess of Beaufort-Spontin · Amalie, Countess Otto von Rechberg und Rothenlöwen zu Hohenrechberg · Marie Karoline, Princess Gustav of Thurn and Taxis* · Maria Theresia, Countess Johann Franz of Harrach zu Rohrau and Thannhausen · Marie, Princess of Waldburg-Zeil and Trauchburg · Princess Karoline · Princess Amélie · Princess Hortense · Princess Maximiliane · Princess Maria Friederike · Karoline, Countess Friedrich Strachwitz of Gross-Zauche and Camminetz7th Generation Louise, Princess Frederick of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen · Elisabeth, Duchess of Braganza · Princess Mathilde · Amélie, Hereditary Countess of Schlitz gt von Görtz · Princess Marie Franziska · Princess Luise · Princess Felicitas · Maria Immakulata, Countess Karl of Mensdorf-Pouilly · Antonie, Altgravine Niklas of Salm-Reifferscheidt-Raitz · Irene, Altgravine Niklas of Salm-Reifferscheidt-Raitz8th Generation Elisabeth Helene, Margravine of Meissen · Princess Maria Theresia · Princess Eleonore · Margarete, Princess Gaetano of Bourbon-Parma · Princess Therese · Margarete, Princess Raphael Rainer of Thurn and Taxis* · Princess Maria Katharina · Princess Marie-Luise, Mrs. Jan Fischer · Princess Eleonore, Mrs. Hubertus von der Schulenburg · Princess Eulalia of Thurn and Taxis*9th Generation Clotilde, Princess Johann Moritz of Liechtenstein · Helene Maria, Countess Rudolf Erwein of Schönborn-Wiesentheid · Mafalda, Princess Franz of Thurn and Taxis* · Maria Theresia, Countess Franz Eduard of Oppersdorff · Iniga, Princess Eberhard of Urach · Maria Fernanda, Princess Franz Joseph of Hohenzollern · Princess Margarete · Princess Antonia · Maria Alexandra, Countess of Colloredo-Mannsfeld · Princess Daria · Princess Elisabeth, Mrs. Richard Klinzer · Princess Beatrice · Princess Olivia, Mrs. Johannes Volpini de Maestri · Princess Julia10th Generation Princess Louise · Princess Helen · Princess Maria Theresia · Princess Elisabeth · Princess Alice · Princess Constanza · Princess Elisa*also a Princess of Thurn and Taxis by marriage Categories:- House of Thurn and Taxis
- House of Württemberg
- Duchesses of Württemberg
- 1706 births
- 1756 deaths
- German Roman Catholics
- Princesses of Thurn and Taxis
- People from Frankfurt
- Dames Grand Cross of the Order of St John
- Recipients of the Order of the Black Eagle
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