Hesse-Wanfried

The Hesse- Wanfried was from 1667 to 1755 a part independent principality, ruled by the branch line of Hesse -Rotenburg the House of Hesse under suzerainty of the Landgrave of Hesse- Kassel.

History

History (1627-1676)

Starting point of this Mediat country county was an order of the Landgrave Moritz of Hesse- Kassel, he imposed his eldest son and successor of William V of Hesse -Kassel shortly before his abdication. At the instigation of his second wife Juliane of Nassau- Dillenburg, he determined that a quarter of his country, the so-called " Rotenburg Quart " should be left to the children from this second marriage. Among these, Hermann received the territory of Rotenburg, Frederick the area around Eschwege and Wanfried, and Ernst, the former sub- county Katzenelenbogen.

After the early death of his brothers Frederick († 1655) and Hermann ( † 1658) was the whole " quart " of seriousness. This, in constant financial difficulties, concluded with the French king Louis XIV from a secret treaty, which promised to leave this to high pension payments Rhine castle rock. Landgrave Charles of Hesse -Kassel learned of this treasonable project, the castle conquered by surprise and defended it, several times heavy siege, against the French. Ernst transferred the eastern part of the " Rotenburg Quart " his sons Wilhelm and Karl received Rotenburg Eschwege and Wanfried.

1676-1731

Karl von Hessen- related Wanfried 1676 Wanfrieder castle as a residence. The area of ​​the small country county roughly corresponded to that of modern Werra -Meißner -Kreis, but also included a third of Ganerbschaft Treffurt with a.

From Karl's seven sons were living at his death in 1711, only two: Wilhelm ( from his first marriage ) and Christian (second marriage). William was a canon in Cologne and Strasbourg. First, therefore, took the younger brother Christian rule, but then it came to a fight with his half-brother William, and both Uncle William " the Elder " of Hesse- Rotenburg. The dispute had to be settled by the Emperor. Christian renounced the regency, was awarded, after the dissolution of the pledge, the Eschwege Castle and a yearly appanage of 7,500 guilders.

Wilhelm of Hesse- Wanfried reigned from 1711 to 1731. 1716, he proposed, restore him because of impending extinction of the race to the lay state. He married on September 19, 1719 Ernestine Theodora von Pfalz -Sulzbach, daughter of the Duke Theodor von Pfalz -Sulzbach Eustace. The connection remained childless. 1718 possession of the castle rock Rhine, he was awarded, and he called himself after Landgrave of Hesse -Rhine rock. After his death in 1731 his widow remained first on the Rhine Castle Rock, but was then prioress of the monastery Neuburg / Donau, where she died on 14 April 1775.

1731-1755

Successor William was again his younger brother Christian. After the death of his brother in 1731 this was the last male bearer of the name at the head of the House of Hesse - Wanfried. He was engaged to Maria Auguste, daughter of Prince Anselm Franz von Thurn und Taxis. The Emperor, however, prompted the cancellation of the betrothal. For political reasons, the bride was married to the Duke of Württemberg. Christian mourned long after his great love. Only 42 years old, he joined a marriage with his niece Maria Franziska of Hohenlohe- Bartenstein ( daughter of his sister Sophie Leopoldine ). The marriage remained childless. Due to a renewed attack 1734/35 of the French on the Rhine castle rock, the right to occupy the castle was finally ceded to Hesse -Kassel, and remained there. Christian moved its headquarters to 1731 after Wanfried and later of Wanfried to Eschwege. He called himself after his assigned residence since 1711 Christian of Hesse- Eschwege. He died of a stroke on the stairs of the church in Eschwege, on 21 October 1755.

All family members were made ​​since the 1652 passage of Landgrave Ernst von Hessen- Rhein Rock Catholic faith.

After the extinction of Hessen- Wanfried in the male line in 1755, the country fell to the county line of Hesse- Rotenburg. As these 1834 became extinct in the male line, the whole quart dropped back to the main house of Hesse- Kassel.

Titulierungen

There are different Titulierungen, which were based on the holdings of lands or respective residences. Example: Landgraf Wilhelm initially had the title of " Hessen- Wanfried ", by Assignment 1711 by Rhein Rock of Hesse - Wanfried followed "Hesse Rhine Wanfried- rock ", then simply "Hessen -Rhein rock ". His half- brother, Christian, was also called by his residence from 1711 " Hessen- Eschwege ".

The reigning Landgrave in the field of Hesse- Wanfried

  • Frederick of Hesse (* 1617, † 1655); Ruler of Hesse- Eschwege 1627-1655
  • Ernst von Hessen- Rhein rock -Rotenburg (* 1623, † 1693); Sovereign Hesse -Rotenburg 1655-1667; From 1676 Sovereign of the total Quart
  • Karl von Hessen- Wanfried (* 1649, † 1711); Ruler of Hesse- Wanfried 1676-1711; from 1693 ruler of Hesse- Rheinfels
  • William ( the younger) of Hesse- Wanfried (* 1671, † 1731); Ruler of Hesse- Wanfried ( Rhein - Rock ) 1711-1731
  • Christian of Hesse- Wanfried (* 1689, † 1755); Ruler of Hesse- Eschwege ( Rhein - rock) 1711 and 1731-1755
  • Constantine of Hesse -Rotenburg; 1755-1778 Sovereign of the total Quart Hesse -Rotenburg

In the following period, the area belonged until 1834 to the total Quart Hesse -Rotenburg, then to Hesse-Kassel.

William V, Landgrave of Hesse-Kassel Countess Juliane of Nassau-Dillenburg Herman IV, Landgrave of Hesse-Rotenburg Frederick, Landgrave of Hesse-Eschwege Ernest, Landgrave of Hesse-Rheinfels Rheinfels Castle Charles I, Landgrave of Hesse-Kassel Charles, Landgrave of Hesse-Wanfried William II, Landgrave of Hesse-Wanfried-Rheinfels Christian, Landgrave of Hesse-Wanfried-Rheinfels Theodore Eustace, Count Palatine of Sulzbach Constantine, Landgrave of Hesse-Rotenburg List of rulers of Hesse
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