Christian, Duke of Saxe-Eisenberg

Christian of Saxe- Eisenberg ( born January 6, 1653 Gotha, † April 28, 1707 in Eisenberg ) was the only Duke of Saxe- Eisenberg.

Life

Christian was the fifth son of Duke Ernst I of Saxe- Gotha -Altenburg (1601-1675) from his marriage to Elizabeth Sophia (1619-1680), daughter of Duke Johann Philipp of Saxe- Altenburg.

Christian took an early interest in history and art. He was educated at the University of Strasbourg and went with his brothers Bernhard and Heinrich 1672 on grand tour in the Netherlands, Switzerland, Savoy, France and Italy.

After the death of his father in 1675, he ruled jointly with his brothers over Saxe-Gotha -Altenburg. He made Eisenberg as his residence and moved in 1677 and the extended named after him Christiansborg Castle, which was later expanded to include the large castle church in memory of his prematurely deceased first wife Christiane of Saxe- Merseburg. After the division of the country with his brothers in 1680, Christian won both the offices Eisenberg Ronneburg, Roda and Camburg. He expanded the castle to a garden, and was here in 1683 to create a small theater.

Through exaggerated Hofhaltung the country began to go into debt quickly. In his later years, he was turned to alchemy and believed to be related to ghosts in conjunction. Christian corresponded with many scholars of his time in correspondence with them what he had created a post in Eisenberg. He promoted the education system ( establishment of a lyceum, the later Christian High School ) and set up a mint. The city Eisenberg he provided at his own expense with spring water through leaden pipes, which he had made ​​himself in his laboratory.

He died with significant debts and his brothers Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Henry of Saxony - Römhild without heirs. Shortly before his death, he had adopted his subjects for three years any taxes. It sprung up among his remaining brothers and their descendants of the " Coburg -Eisenberg - Römhilder dispute over inheritance ", which was only settled in 1735. The majority of the country fell to Saxe-Gotha -Altenburg.

Marriages and descendants

In his first marriage married Duke Christian in 1677 the Princess Christiane of Saxe- Merseburg ( 1659-1679 ), daughter of Duke Christian I of Saxe- Merseburg. The marriage produced a daughter emerged:

• Christiane (1679-1722) ∞ 1699 Duke Philipp Ernst von Schleswig -Holstein -Sonderburg- Glücksburg ( 1673-1729 )

After the early death of his first wife he married in 1681 for the second time the Princess Marie Sophie of Hesse- Darmstadt ( 1661-1712 ), daughter of the Landgrave Louis VI. of Hesse- Darmstadt. The marriage remained childless.