Andreas Gottlieb von Bernstorff
Andreas Gottlieb Baron von Bernstorff ( born March 2, 1649 Ratzeburg, † July 6, 1726 in Gartow ) was a chancellor in the service of the Principality of Lüneburg and later prime minister of the Electorate of Brunswick- Lüneburg ( " electoral Hanover "). After climbing the English throne by Georg Ludwig of Hanover, he went to England, leading ministers remained in the Electorate and sometimes had also considerable influence on English politics.
Life
His father was Andreas von Bernstorff and his mother Anna Elisabeth ( née von Bülow- Hundorf ). He studied 1665-1668 at the University of Helmstedt. He then continued his education at the Imperial Chamber Court in Speyer continued. Then he undertook in 1669 and 1670 his grand tour of France, Italy and various German capitals.
He then entered the service of Duke Christian Louis I. of Mecklenburg -Schwerin. Soon he joined the service of Duke George William of Brunswick- Lüneburg. At whose court he came into close contact with the Chancellor Johann Helwig Synold, called by the contactor. In 1676 he married and Jeanette Lucie Synold, a daughter of the Registrar. A year later he succeeded Johann Helwig Synold as chancellor. While his predecessor had pursued a rich loyal policy, operational von Bernstorff an aligned on the strengthening of Guelph power base course. He also pursued an anti- Brandenburg policy. In the 1680s he was instrumental in accordance of Brunswick- Lüneburg- Celle to William III. responsible of Orange. He entered the country in the coalition directed against Louis XIV.
After the union of the Duchy of Brunswick- Lüneburg- Celle with electoral Hanover in 1705, resigned from Bernstorff in Hanover services. After the death of Franz Ernst Graf von Platen, he became in 1709 the first minister of the electorate. It has significantly contributed to the Elector Georg Ludwig was able to get to the English throne. One contributing factor was that he advised the Elector not to interfere in the party disputes in England. By powered by Bernstorff policy to support the Emperor and the Netherlands in the fight against France, the British throne plans were supported.
After the accession of the elector as George I went from Bernstorff with this in England. He remained in subsequent years, the most influential minister of Hanover. He was the first head of the German firm. He also had a major influence on English politics. Due to the growing influence of James Stanhope, 1st Earl Stanhope in 1720 he lost the influence on English politics. For some years he took again the leadership of the government in Hanover and was also a member of the local judicial office. Between 1721 and 1724 he was actively involved in the criminal and bankruptcy proceedings against the Jewish bankers Gumpert and Isaac Behrens; He personally directed their torture.
During his last two years of life, he retired to his large estates in northern Germany. He had acquired the dominion Gartow, the Stintenburg island and Good Wotersen. In Gartow and Wotersen he built new castles. He left behind a family and a statute Familienfideikommiss. Given his previous position as the leading minister is remarkable that he, as leader of the Mecklenburg stands resolute turned against the attempt of the Dukes expand their power. Already in 1716 he was elevated to the realm baron.