Charles Edzard, Prince of East Frisia
Carl Edzard ( born June 18, 1716 in Aurich, † May 25 1744 in Aurich ) was since June 12, 1734 the last native prince, who ruled the County of East Frisia. After his death, King Frederick II of Prussia made his right of succession asserted, that was governed by the Emden Convention. He let Ostfriesland, Emden starting, occupy without resistance, whereupon on June 23, 1744 paid homage to the land of the crown.
Life
Carl Edzard was born at the castle in Aurich. He was the fourth child of the reigning Prince Georg Albrecht and Princess Christine Louise, née Princess of Nassau- Idstein. His older brothers and sisters died before the age of one year, which Carl Edzard heir was in the county.
Youth
Carl Edzard was commissioned by his father's authoritarian, hard and " brought up an atmosphere of bigotry and ascetic piety, which the child had no freedom and opportunities for self- development". Every minute of his daily routine was planned. Here, even the recovery periods, the hours of the ride and the walk were specified exactly. Carl Edzard was taught with the zeitgeist in Roman law, medieval history and French rule. For this purpose, reading the Bible and other religious texts came. A military training Carl Edzard has never enjoyed, although he was appointed by his father at the age of 10 years for colonels and chief of the small princely militia. By the early death of his father remained for the purposes of studies no time and the obligatory since the times of the Renaissance Grand Tour of the sons of the European nobility by Central Europe, Italy, Spain and the Holy Land, he never served. His range of motion was limited even within its territory. Carl Edzard held primarily at the courtyard in Aurich, the hunting lodge in sand Horst and the prince's castle Berum. The largest city in the county, Emden, he has, however, never entered, but only once viewed from a distance.
Prince
The father Carl Edzards was already seriously ill and suffered a long time yet before the 18th birthday of his offspring a stroke. To ensure the continuation of the dynasty, was hastily arranged a wedding for Carl Edzard then. The initiative came well out of his stepmother, Sophie Caroline of Brandenburg- Kulmbach. These chose the daughter of her eldest sister, Princess Sophie Wilhelmine of Brandenburg- Kulmbach -Bayreuth (1714-1749), as a bride and arranged the betrothal of just sixteen with two years older relatives. On May 25, 1734, the wedding was celebrated at Castle Berum.
Three weeks later, on June 12, 1734, died the father, and Carl Edzard was ruler of East Frisia, without being really prepared for this task. After the duration of conflicts of recent years between the stands and the Princely House this had a little more prestige. The city of Emden and other recalcitrant Estates refused him homage. Whether Carl Edzard ever interfered in the administration of his country, is doubtful. It is likely that his decisions were made by others.
Death
Four days after his wife suffered a miscarriage and thus the hopes of an heir and successor had initially been broke Carl Edzard on May 16, 1744 walk in his summer residence, the hunting lodge Wilhelmine wood in sand Horst on where Sophie Wilhelmine waiting for him. Once there, he asked his wife a glass of buttermilk, after its enjoyment he felt uncomfortable. In the following days, the disease worsened more and more. On May 24, the attending physician described the state of the count as a concern, but said on 25 May, the hope of improvement, which however fell through: Carl Edzard died on the same day 23-24 clock as the last of his race. Whether he was poisoned or died of natural causes, could never be clarified.