Category Archives: German Royals

Bernhard II, Duke of Saxe-Meiningen

by Scott Mehl  © Unofficial Royalty 2018

Duchy of Saxe-Meiningen: On March 26, 1675, Ernst I, Duke of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg died. Initially, his seven sons collectively governed the Duchy of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg, as set out in their father’s will. On February 24, 1680, the seven brothers concluded a treaty of separation, with each brother getting a portion of the Duchy of Saxe-Gotha Altenburg and becoming a Duke. One of the seven new duchies was the Duchy of Saxe-Meinigen and Bernhard, one of the seven sons of Ernst I, Duke of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg became the first Duke of Saxe-Meinigen.

On November 9, 1918, Wilhelm II abdicated as German Emperor and King of Prussia in the wake of the November Revolution. Bernhard III, the last Duke of Saxe-Meiningen abdicated the next day due to pressure from the Meininger Workers and Soldiers Council. His half-brother Ernst waived his succession rights on November 12, 1918, officially ending the monarchy of the Duchy of Saxe-Meiningen. Today the territory that encompassed the Duchy of Saxe-Meiningen is in the German state of Thuringia.

********************

Bernhard II, Duke of Saxe-Meiningen; Credit – Wikipedia

Bernhard II was Duke of Saxe-Meiningen from 1803 until his abdication in 1866. He was born on December 17, 1800, in Meiningen, Duchy of Saxe-Meiningen, now in Thuringia, Germany, the youngest child of Georg I, Duke of Saxe-Meiningen and Princess Luise Eleonore of Hohenlohe-Langenburg. Bernhard had two older sisters:

At just three years old, Bernhard became the reigning Duke of Saxe-Meiningen upon his father’s death in December 1803. Because of his youth, his mother served as Regent until Bernhard reached his majority. During this time, Luise Eleonore steered the duchy successfully through the Napoleonic Wars, the famine that followed, and the alignment with the Allies in 1813. Thanks to her efforts, Bernhard II found the duchy in relatively good financial shape upon assuming his role as Duke in 1821.

Marie Friederike of Hesse-Kassel; Credit – Wikipedia

On March 23, 1825, Bernhard married Princess Marie Friederike of Hesse-Kassel. She was the daughter of Wilhelm II, Elector of Hesse and Princess Auguste of Prussia. Bernhard and Marie had two children:

Bernhard II saw the expansion of the Duchy of Saxe-Meiningen in 1826. The previous year, the childless Duke of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg died with no heirs. As a result, Bernhard and the Dukes of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld and Saxe-Hildburghausen divided the territories between them. The Duke of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld ceded Saalfeld to Bernhard, and received the Gotha lands, becoming Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha. The Duke of Saxe-Hildburghausen ceded Hildburghausen to Bernhard, and received the Altenburg lands, becoming Duke of Saxe-Altenburg.

Although Bernhard had earlier aligned himself with Prussia, in the mid-1860s, Bernhard instead sided with Austria during the Austro-Prussian War of 1866. Following Austria’s defeat, the Prussians forced Bernhard to abdicate on September 20, 1866, in favor of his son Georg II, Saxe-Meiningen. Bernhard took up residence at the Great Palace in Meiningen, previously built as a dower home for his mother. His attempts to be named as an advisor to his son were refused, and he lived out the remainder of his life removed from any aspect of the duchy’s government. His relationship with Georg II was somewhat strained. Bernhard had never allowed Georg access to any government business during his reign, leaving the new duke with little hands-on experience in his new role. Bernhard also unsuccessfully attempted to have the German Emperor depose Georg II upon his morganatic marriage to Ellen Franz in 1873. It would be another five years before Bernhard would reconcile with his son, and meet his newest daughter-in-law.

Ducal Crypt Chapel, Meiningen. photo: Von kramer96 – Original uploader was Kramer96 at de.wikipedia.Originaltext: eigene Aufnahme, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=19859816

Bernhard II died in Meiningen, Duchy of Saxe-Meinigen, now in Thuringia, Germany, on December 3, 1882. He was buried in the Ducal Crypt Chapel (link in German) in the Meiningen municipal cemetery until 1977 when his remains were removed from the chapel, cremated, and buried elsewhere in the cemetery.

This article is the intellectual property of Unofficial Royalty and is NOT TO BE COPIED, EDITED, OR POSTED IN ANY FORM ON ANOTHER WEBSITE under any circumstances. It is permissible to use a link that directs to Unofficial Royalty.

Luise Eleonore of Hohenlohe-Langenburg, Duchess of Saxe-Meiningen

by Scott Mehl  © Unofficial Royalty 2018

Luise Eleonore of Hohenlohe-Langenburg, Duchess of Saxe-Meiningen; Credit – Wikipedia

Princess Luise Eleonore of Hohenlohe-Langenburg was the wife of Georg I, Duke of Saxe-Meiningen, and later served as Regent for her young son. She was born in Langenburg, in the Principality of Hohenlohe-Langenburg, now in Baden-Württemberg, Germany,  on August 11, 1763, to Christian Albrecht, 2nd Prince of Hohenlohe-Langenburg and Princess Caroline of Stolberg-Gedern. Luise Eleonore had six siblings:

  • Karl Ludwig, Prince of Hohenlohe-Langenburg (1762-1825) – married Amalie of Solms-Baruth, had issue
  • Gustav Adolf (1764-1796) – unmarried
  • Christine Caroline (1765-1768) – died in childhood
  • Ludwig Wilhelm (1767-1768) – died in infancy
  • Christian August (1768-1796) – unmarried
  • Auguste Karoline (1769-1803) – unmarried

Georg I, Duke of Saxe-Meiningen; Credit – Wikipedia

On November 27, 1782, Luise Eleonore married Georg I, Duke of Saxe-Meiningen. After ten years of marriage, they began their family and had three children:

In December 1803, her husband died and her three-year-old son became the reigning Duke. Luise Eleonore became Regent and is credited with steering the duchy through some very difficult times. Forced to join the Confederation of the Rhine in 1806 and provide troops, Luise arranged to import wheat into the duchy to help fight the great famine that was ravaging many of the Saxon states. Unlike several of the other rulers, Luise refused to leave Meiningen to flee the French and Russian forces. Having managed to maintain her authority, she joined with the Allies in 1813 having saved the duchy for her son. She instituted special taxes in the duchy, in order to provide the large dowry – 6,000 florins a year – for her daughter Adelheid upon her marriage to the future King William IV of the United Kingdom. Luise Eleonore continued to work to restore the duchy’s finances and economic position within Europe, leaving a well-managed government to her son upon his majority in 1821.

Great Palace, Meiningen. source: Wikipedia

Following her Regency, Luise Eleonore moved into the newly built Great Palace (link in German) in Meiningen, built by her son Bernhard for her to use as her dower home. While living there for the rest of her life, Luise Eleonore traveled extensively throughout Europe, including an extended visit to her daughter Adelheid in England, with whom she was very close.

The Dowager Duchess died in Meiningen, Duchy of Saxe-Meiningen, now in Thuringia, Germany, on April 30, 1837, at the age of 73. She was buried in the Ducal Crypt Chapel (link in German) in the Meiningen municipal cemetery until 1977 when her remains were removed from the chapel, cremated, and buried elsewhere in the cemetery.

This article is the intellectual property of Unofficial Royalty and is NOT TO BE COPIED, EDITED, OR POSTED IN ANY FORM ON ANOTHER WEBSITE under any circumstances. It is permissible to use a link that directs to Unofficial Royalty.

Georg I, Duke of Saxe-Meiningen

by Scott Mehl
© Unofficial Royalty 2018

Duchy of Saxe-Meiningen: On March 26, 1675, Ernst I, Duke of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg died. Initially, his seven sons collectively governed the Duchy of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg, as set out in their father’s will. On February 24, 1680, the seven brothers concluded a treaty of separation, with each brother getting a portion of the Duchy of Saxe-Gotha Altenburg and becoming a Duke. One of the seven new duchies was the Duchy of Saxe-Meinigen and Bernhard, one of the seven sons of Ernst I, Duke of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg became the first Duke of Saxe-Meinigen.

On November 9, 1918, Wilhelm II abdicated as German Emperor and King of Prussia in the wake of the November Revolution. Bernhard III, the last Duke of Saxe-Meiningen abdicated the next day due to pressure from the Meininger Workers and Soldiers Council. His half-brother Ernst waived his succession rights on November 12, 1918, officially ending the monarchy of the Duchy of Saxe-Meiningen. Today the territory that encompassed the Duchy of Saxe-Meiningen is in the German state of Thuringia.

********************

Georg I, Duke of Saxe-Meiningen; Credit – Wikipedia

Georg I was Duke of Saxe-Meiningen from 1782 until 1803. He was born in the Imperial Free City of Frankfurt, now in Hesse, Germany, on February 4, 1761, the youngest son of Anton Ulrich, Duke of Saxe-Meiningen and Charlotte Amalie of Hesse-Philippsthal. Georg had seven siblings:

Georg also had ten elder half-siblings from his father’s first, morganatic, marriage to Philippine Elisabeth Caesar. Although all were given the title Prince/Princess, none were eligible to succeed to the ducal throne.

Luise Eleonore of Hohenlohe-Langenburg; Credit – Wikipedia

Georg became Duke of Saxe-Meiningen in July 1782, upon the death of his childless brother, Karl Wilhelm. Just four months later, he married Princess Luise Eleonore of Hohenlohe-Langenburg on November 27, 1782, in Langenburg, Principality of Hohenlohe-Langenburg, now in the German state of Baden-Württemberg. Luise Eleonore was the daughter of Christian Albrecht, Prince of Hohenlohe-Langenburg and Caroline of Stolberg-Gedern. After ten years of marriage, Georg and Luise Eleonore started their family, having three children:

One of the first things Georg did upon becoming Duke was to open the Ducal library and art collections to the public. He also oversaw the design of the new English Garden in Meiningen on the site of the former municipal cemetery and began to transform Meiningen into a prestigious royal city. In neighboring Bad Liebenstein, he oversaw the redesign of the town, as well as Altenstein Castle and its surrounding parks. He also founded a Forestry Academy in neighboring Dreissigacker. Using his own funds, he established a new school to be built in honor of his son’s birth and also founded a school for the poor along with providing free medical care.

Having always been in poor health, Georg I died in Meiningen, Duchy of Saxe-Meiningen, now in Thuringia, Germany on December 24, 1803, after developing a fever. He was buried in the Ducal Crypt Chapel (link in German) in the Meiningen municipal cemetery until 1977 when his remains were removed from the chapel, cremated, and buried elsewhere in the cemetery.

This article is the intellectual property of Unofficial Royalty and is NOT TO BE COPIED, EDITED, OR POSTED IN ANY FORM ON ANOTHER WEBSITE under any circumstances. It is permissible to use a link that directs to Unofficial Royalty.

Saxe-Meiningen Resources at Unofficial Royalty

Luise of Stolberg-Gedern, Duchess of Saxe-Meiningen

by Scott Mehl  © Unofficial Royalty 2018

Luise of Stolberg-Gedern, Duchess of Saxe-Meiningen; Credit – Wikipedia

Luise of Stolberg-Gedern was the wife of Karl Wilhelm, Duke of Saxe-Meiningen. She was born in Gedern, Principality of Stolberg-Gerdern, now in the German state of Hesse, on October 13, 1764, the daughter of Christian Karl, Prince of Stolberg-Gedern and Countess Eleonore of Reuss-Lobenstein.

Karl Wilhelm, Duke of Saxe-Meiningen; Credit – Wikipedia

On June 5, 1780, Luise married Karl Wilhelm, Duke of Saxe-Meiningen. They had no children, and just two years later, Karl Wilhelm died.

Duke Eugen of Württemberg; Credit – Wikipedia

Luise remarried on January 21, 1787, marrying Duke Eugen of Württemberg in Meiningen, Duchy of Saxe-Meiningen, now in the German state of Thuringia. He was the son of Friedrich II Eugen, Duke of Württemberg and Sophie Dorothea of Brandenburg-Schwedt. Luise and Eugen had five children:

The former Duchess of Saxe-Meiningen died in Carlsruhe, Silesia, Kingdom of Prussia, now Pokój, Poland on May 24, 1834, having survived both of her husbands and two of her children. She is buried in the cemetery in Carlsruhe.

This article is the intellectual property of Unofficial Royalty and is NOT TO BE COPIED, EDITED, OR POSTED IN ANY FORM ON ANOTHER WEBSITE under any circumstances. It is permissible to use a link that directs to Unofficial Royalty.

Saxe-Meiningen Resources at Unofficial Royalty

Karl Wilhelm, Duke of Saxe-Meiningen

by Scott Mehl  © Unofficial Royalty 2018

Duchy of Saxe-Meiningen: On March 26, 1675, Ernst I, Duke of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg died. Initially, his seven sons collectively governed the Duchy of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg, as set out in their father’s will. On February 24, 1680, the seven brothers concluded a treaty of separation, with each brother getting a portion of the Duchy of Saxe-Gotha Altenburg and becoming a Duke. One of the seven new duchies was the Duchy of Saxe-Meinigen and Bernhard, one of the seven sons of Ernst I, Duke of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg became the first Duke of Saxe-Meinigen.

On November 9, 1918, Wilhelm II abdicated as German Emperor and King of Prussia in the wake of the November Revolution. Bernhard III, the last Duke of Saxe-Meiningen abdicated the next day due to pressure from the Meininger Workers and Soldiers Council. His half-brother Ernst waived his succession rights on November 12, 1918, officially ending the monarchy of the Duchy of Saxe-Meiningen. Today the territory that encompassed the Duchy of Saxe-Meiningen is in the German state of Thuringia.

********************

Karl Wilhelm, Duke of Saxe-Meiningen; Credit – Wikipedia

Karl Wilhelm was Duke of Saxe-Meiningen from 1763-1782. He was born in the Imperial Free City of Frankfurt, now in the German state of Hesse, on November 19, 1754, to Anton Ulrich, Duke of Saxe-Meiningen and Charlotte Amalie of Hesse-Philippsthal. Karl Wilhelm had seven siblings:

Karl Wilhelm also had ten elder half-siblings from his father’s first morganatic marriage to Philippine Caesar. None of those siblings were in the line of succession to the ducal throne.

At just eight years old, Karl Wilhelm succeeded his father as Duke of Saxe-Meiningen. Because of his age, his mother served as Regent and was instrumental in bringing the duchy back from the brink of financial and economic disaster. Following his mother’s example, Karl Wilhelm worked to reduce the size of his court and help restore the finances of the duchy. He promoted education for the people of Saxe-Meiningen and founded one of the first teachers’ colleges.

Luise of Stolberg-Gedern; Credit – Wikipedia

Karl Wilhelm married Princess Luise of Stolberg-Gedern on June 5, 1780, in Gedern, Principality of Stolberg-Gedern, now in the German state of Hesse. She was the daughter of Christian Karl, Prince of Stolberg-Gedern and Countess Eleonore of Reuss-Lobenstein. They had no children.

Karl Wilhelm died in Sonneberg, Duchy of Saxe-Meiningen, now in Thuringia, Germany, on July 21, 1782, at just 27 years old. He was initially buried at the Castle Church at Elisabethenburg Palace, in Meiningen, Duchy of Saxe-Meiningen, now in Thuringia, Germany. His remains were later moved to the Meiningen municipal cemetery in 1977.  He was succeeded by his younger brother Georg I.

This article is the intellectual property of Unofficial Royalty and is NOT TO BE COPIED, EDITED, OR POSTED IN ANY FORM ON ANOTHER WEBSITE under any circumstances. It is permissible to use a link that directs to Unofficial Royalty.

Saxe-Meiningen Resources at Unofficial Royalty

Charlotte Amalie of Hesse-Philippsthal, Duchess of Saxe-Meiningen

by Scott Mehl  © Unofficial Royalty 2018

Charlotte Amalie of Hesse-Philippsthal, Duchess of Saxe-Meiningen; Credit – Wikipedai

Charlotte Amalie of Hesse-Philippsthal was the wife of Anton Ulrich, Duke of Saxe-Meiningen. She was born in Philippsthal, Landgraviate of Hesse-Philippsthal, now in the German state of Hesse, on August 11, 1730, to Carl I, Landgrave of Hesse-Philippsthal and Princess Christina of Saxe-Eisenach. Charlotte Amalie had four siblings:

  • Wilhelm, Landgrave of Hesse-Philippsthal (1726-1810) – married Ulrike Eleonore of Hesse-Philippsthal-Barchfeld, had issue
  • Karoline Amalie (1728-1746) – unmarried
  • Friedrich (1729-1751) – unmarried
  • Philippine (1731-1762) – unmarried

Anton Ulrich, Duke of Saxe-Meiningen; Credit – Wikipedia

On September 26, 1750, in Homburg von der Höhe, Landgraviate of Hesse-Homburg, now in the German state of Hesse, Charlotte Amalie married Anton Ulrich, Duke of Saxe-Meiningen, who was 43 years older. He had previously contracted a morganatic marriage and had ten children, but they were not eligible to succeed to the ducal throne. This marriage was solely intended to provide an heir for Saxe-Meiningen. The couple had eight children:

Following her husband’s death in 1763, Charlotte Amalie was appointed the sole guardian of their sons, and as such, served as Regent of Saxe-Meiningen. At the time, the duchy was in financial and economic ruin. Charlotte Amalie is credited with quickly restoring the duchy’s wealth through reforms, economic reconstruction, and strict austerity measures. Within a year, the government was again functioning effectively, for which she gained the nickname ‘Savior of the Duchy’. Her efforts were recognized by the Holy Roman Emperor Joseph II, who appointed her as director of a commission to help the neighboring Duchy of Saxe-Hildburghausen, which was financially in even more dire straits.

Amalienruh. source: Wikipedia

In 1782, when her younger son reached his majority, Charlotte Amalie ceased to serve as Regent. Several years earlier, she had taken possession of an estate in Sülzfeld, near Meiningen, in the Duchy of Saxe-Meinigen, now in the German state of Thuringia,  previously owned by her sister-in-law Elisabeth Sophie of Brandenburg. She renamed the property Amalienruh and oversaw numerous expansions of the buildings and the grounds. Amalienruh became Charlotte Amalie’s primary residence after ceasing to serve as Regent.

Ducal Crypt, Meiningen. photo: Von kramer96 – Original uploader was Kramer96 at de.wikipedia.Originaltext: eigene Aufnahme, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=19859816

The Dowager Duchess Charlotte Amalie died in Meiningen, Duchy of Saxe-Meinigen, now in the German state of Thuringia, on September 7, 1801. Per her wishes, she was not buried in the Castle Church at Elisabethenburg Palace – the traditional burial site of the Dukes of Saxe-Meiningen. Instead, she was interred in the Ducal Crypt Chapel (link in German) in the Meiningen municipal cemetery. In 1977, her remains were removed from the chapel, cremated, and buried elsewhere in the cemetery grounds.

This article is the intellectual property of Unofficial Royalty and is NOT TO BE COPIED, EDITED, OR POSTED IN ANY FORM ON ANOTHER WEBSITE under any circumstances. It is permissible to use a link that directs to Unofficial Royalty.

Saxe-Meiningen Resources at Unofficial Royalty

Anton Ulrich, Duke of Saxe-Meiningen

by Scott Mehl  © Unofficial Royalty 2018

Duchy of Saxe-Meiningen: On March 26, 1675, Ernst I, Duke of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg died. Initially, his seven sons collectively governed the Duchy of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg, as set out in their father’s will. On February 24, 1680, the seven brothers concluded a treaty of separation, with each brother getting a portion of the Duchy of Saxe-Gotha Altenburg and becoming a Duke. One of the seven new duchies was the Duchy of Saxe-Meinigen and Bernhard, one of the seven sons of Ernst I, Duke of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg became the first Duke of Saxe-Meinigen.

On November 9, 1918, Wilhelm II abdicated as German Emperor and King of Prussia in the wake of the November Revolution. Bernhard III, the last Duke of Saxe-Meiningen abdicated the next day due to pressure from the Meininger Workers and Soldiers Council. His half-brother Ernst waived his succession rights on November 12, 1918, officially ending the monarchy of the Duchy of Saxe-Meiningen. Today the territory that encompassed the Duchy of Saxe-Meiningen is in the German state of Thuringia.

********************

Anton Ulrich, Duke of Saxe-Meiningen; Credit – Wikipedia

Anton Ulrich, Duke of Saxe-Meiningen was born in Meiningen, Duchy of Saxe-Meiningen, now in Thuringia, Germany. on October 22, 1687, the son of Bernhard I, Duke of Saxe-Meiningen and his second wife, Elisabeth Eleonore of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel. He had four older siblings:

  • Elisabeth Ernestine (1681-1766) – unmarried
  • Eleonore Friederike (1683-1739) – unmarried
  • Anton August (born and died 1684) – died in infancy
  • Wilhelmine Luise (1686-1753) – married Carl, Duke of Württemberg-Bernstadt, no issue

He also had seven half-siblings from his father’s first marriage to Marie Hedwig of Hesse-Darmstadt:

Philippine Elisabeth Caesar; Credit – Wikipedia

In Amsterdam on January 1711, Anton Ulrich secretly married Philippine Elisabeth Caesar, a lady-in-waiting to his elder sister Elisabeth Ernestine. The marriage was morganatic and was met with great disapproval from his family. Together they had ten children:

  • Philippine Antoinette (1712-1785)
  • Philippine Elisabeth (1713-1781)
  • Philippine Luise (1714-1771)
  • Philippine Wilhelmine (1715-1718)
  • Bernhard Ernst (1716-1778)
  • Antonie Auguste (1717-1768)
  • Sophie Wilhelmine (1719-1723)
  • Karl Ludwig (1721-1727)
  • Christine Friederike (born and died 1723)
  • Friedrich Ferdinand (born and died 1725)

In 1727, Anton Ulrich, through the benevolence of Holy Roman Emperor Karl VI, managed to have his wife and children raised to the rank of Prince/Princess of Saxe-Meiningen. However, they did not have any rights of succession. This was confirmed in 1744, just after Philippine Caesar’s death.

When Anton Ulrich’s father, Bernhard, died in 1706, he decreed in his will that the duchy should not be divided and that his sons should rule jointly. This caused conflict between Anton Ulrich and his two elder half-brothers, Ernst Ludwig I and Friedrich Wilhelm, with Ernst Ludwig fighting to serve as sole ruler. Following his death in 1724, the conflict continued between Anton Ulrich and Friedrich Wilhelm who often disagreed and issued conflicting decrees. In 1742, Anton Ulrich moved to Frankfurt but continued to fight with his brother over the ruling of the duchy. Upon Friedrich Wilhelm’s death in 1746, Anton Ulrich became the sole ruler and Duke of Saxe-Meiningen. Although he was now the sole ruler, Anton Ulrich remained in Frankfurt, conducting most of his governmental duties from there, and only made occasional visits to Meiningen. With his children excluded from the line of succession, the Saxe-Meiningen line was in danger of becoming extinct. The Dukes of Saxe-Weimar and Saxe-Gotha were already planning how to divide the territory should Anton Ulrich die without any legitimate heirs.

Charlotte Amalie of Hesse-Philippsthal; Credit – Wikipedia

The succession question was soon resolved. On September 26, 1750, Anton married Charlotte Amalie of Hesse-Philippsthal in Homburg von der Höhe. 43 years younger than Anton Ulrich, Charlotte Amalie was the daughter of Carl I, Landgrave of Hesse-Philippsthal and Princess Christina of Saxe-Eisenach. Together they had eight children:

In 1747-1748, Anton Ulrich fought a battle with the neighboring Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg (known as the Wasunger War). The Duke of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg was looking forward to the likelihood that Saxe-Meiningen would be divided amongst the other Ernestine duchies upon Anton Ulrich’s death with no heirs, and was looking for any chance he could find to receive – or take by force – the lands he would likely inherit. After a dispute between two women over their precedence at court, Anton Ulrich intervened, siding with one of the women and harshly treating the other’s family. When the Imperial Court ruled against Anton Ulrich, and he refused to accept their decision, this gave Friedrich III of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg the pretext to invade the city of Wasungen. The dispute was eventually resolved through mediation with Prussia.

After a reign of nearly 17 years, Anton Ulrich died in the Free City of Frankfurt, now in Hesse, Germany,  on January 27, 1763. His remains were buried in the castle church at Elisabethenburg Palace in Meiningen, Duchy of Saxe-Meiningen, now in Thuringia, Germany.

This article is the intellectual property of Unofficial Royalty and is NOT TO BE COPIED, EDITED, OR POSTED IN ANY FORM ON ANOTHER WEBSITE under any circumstances. It is permissible to use a link that directs to Unofficial Royalty.

Saxe-Meiningen Resources at Unofficial Royalty

Friedrich Wilhelm, Duke of Saxe-Meiningen

by Scott Mehl
© Unofficial Royalty 2018

Duchy of Saxe-Meiningen: On March 26, 1675, Ernst I, Duke of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg died. Initially, his seven sons collectively governed the Duchy of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg, as set out in their father’s will. On February 24, 1680, the seven brothers concluded a treaty of separation, with each brother getting a portion of the Duchy of Saxe-Gotha Altenburg and becoming a Duke. One of the seven new duchies was the Duchy of Saxe-Meinigen and Bernhard, one of the seven sons of Ernst I, Duke of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg became the first Duke of Saxe-Meinigen.

On November 9, 1918, Wilhelm II abdicated as German Emperor and King of Prussia in the wake of the November Revolution. Bernhard III, the last Duke of Saxe-Meiningen abdicated the next day due to pressure from the Meininger Workers and Soldiers Council. His half-brother Ernst waived his succession rights on November 12, 1918, officially ending the monarchy of the Duchy of Saxe-Meiningen. Today the territory that encompassed the Duchy of Saxe-Meiningen is in the German state of Thuringia.

********************

Friedrich Wilhelm, Duke of Saxe-Meiningen; Credit – Wikipedia

Friedrich Wilhelm was born on February 16, 1679, in Ichtershausen, Duchy of Saxe-Meiningen, now in Thuringia, Germany, the son of the future Bernhard I, Duke of Saxe-Meiningen and his first wife Maria Hedwig of Hesse-Darmstadt. He had six siblings:

He also had five half-siblings from his father’s second marriage to Elisabeth Eleonore of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel:

Following the death of his brother Ernst Ludwig I in 1724, Friedrich Wilhelm served as one of the guardians for his two young nephews Ernst Ludwig II and Karl Friedrich during their reigns as Duke of Saxe-Meiningen. Following Karl Friedrich’s death in 1743, Friedrich Wilhelm became the reigning Duke of Saxe-Meiningen.

After reigning for just three years, Friedrich Wilhelm died in Meiningen, Duchy of Saxe-Meiningen, now in Thuringia, Germany, on March 10, 1746. He is buried in the Castle Church at Elisabethenburg Palace. in Meiningen. As he was unmarried and had no heirs, the ducal throne passed to his younger half-brother Anton Ulrich.

This article is the intellectual property of Unofficial Royalty and is NOT TO BE COPIED, EDITED, OR POSTED IN ANY FORM ON ANOTHER WEBSITE under any circumstances. It is permissible to use a link that directs to Unofficial Royalty.

Saxe-Meiningen Resources at Unofficial Royalty

Karl Friedrich, Duke of Saxe-Meiningen

by Scott Mehl © Unofficial Royalty 2018

Duchy of Saxe-Meiningen: On March 26, 1675, Ernst I, Duke of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg died. Initially, his seven sons collectively governed the Duchy of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg, as set out in their father’s will. On February 24, 1680, the seven brothers concluded a treaty of separation, with each brother getting a portion of the Duchy of Saxe-Gotha Altenburg and becoming a Duke. One of the seven new duchies was the Duchy of Saxe-Meinigen and Bernhard, one of the seven sons of Ernst I, Duke of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg became the first Duke of Saxe-Meinigen.

On November 9, 1918, Wilhelm II abdicated as German Emperor and King of Prussia in the wake of the November Revolution. Bernhard III, the last Duke of Saxe-Meiningen abdicated the next day due to pressure from the Meininger Workers and Soldiers Council. His half-brother Ernst waived his succession rights on November 12, 1918, officially ending the monarchy of the Duchy of Saxe-Meiningen. Today the territory that encompassed the Duchy of Saxe-Meiningen is in the German state of Thuringia.

********************

Karl Friedrich, Duke of Saxe-Meiningen; Credit – Wikipedia

Karl Friedrich reigned as Duke of Saxe-Meiningen from 1729-1743. He was born in Meiningen, Duchy of  Saxe-Meiningen, now in Thuringia, Germany, on July 18, 1712, the youngest child of Ernst Ludwig I, Duke of Saxe-Meiningen and his first wife, Dorothea Maria of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg. He had four older siblings:

Karl Friedrich’s father died in November 1724, making his elder brother, Ernst Ludwig II, the reigning Duke. As both brothers were underage, their two uncles, Friedrich Wilhelm and Anton Ulrich, oversaw the running of the duchy. Ernst Ludwig II died in 1729, and Karl Friedrich became the reigning Duke. Despite his uncles’ guardianship ending in 1733 when Karl Friedrich reached his majority, he continued to leave the daily running of the duchy to his uncles and his court officials. In poor health, he was unable and had to be carried and driven everywhere, and had little interest in anything which required responsibility.

Never married, Karl Friedrich died in Meiningen, Duchy of  Saxe-Meiningen, now in Thuringia, Germany, on March 28, 1743, at the age of 31. He is buried in the Castle Church at Elisabethenburg Palace in Meiningen.

Saxe-Meiningen Resources at Unofficial Royalty

This article is the intellectual property of Unofficial Royalty and is NOT TO BE COPIED, EDITED, OR POSTED IN ANY FORM ON ANOTHER WEBSITE under any circumstances. It is permissible to use a link that directs to Unofficial Royalty.

Ernst Ludwig II, Duke of Saxe-Meiningen

by Scott Mehl  © Unofficial Royalty 2018

Duchy of Saxe-Meiningen: On March 26, 1675, Ernst I, Duke of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg died. Initially, his seven sons collectively governed the Duchy of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg, as set out in their father’s will. On February 24, 1680, the seven brothers concluded a treaty of separation, with each brother getting a portion of the Duchy of Saxe-Gotha Altenburg and becoming a Duke. One of the seven new duchies was the Duchy of Saxe-Meinigen and Bernhard, one of the seven sons of Ernst I, Duke of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg became the first Duke of Saxe-Meinigen.

On November 9, 1918, Wilhelm II abdicated as German Emperor and King of Prussia in the wake of the November Revolution. Bernhard III, the last Duke of Saxe-Meiningen abdicated the next day due to pressure from the Meininger Workers and Soldiers Council. His half-brother Ernst waived his succession rights on November 12, 1918, officially ending the monarchy of the Duchy of Saxe-Meiningen. Today the territory that encompassed the Duchy of Saxe-Meiningen is in the German state of Thuringia.

********************

Ernst Ludwig II, Duke of Saxe-Meiningen; Credit – Wikipedia

Ernst Ludwig II was Duke of Saxe-Meiningen from 1724-1729. He was born in Coburg on August 8, 1709, to Ernst Ludwig I, Duke of Saxe-Meiningen and his first wife, Dorothea Maria of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg. He had four siblings:

Ernst Ludwig was the third son, but his elder brothers died before their father, making him heir to the Ducal throne. He became Duke upon his father’s death in November 1724. Just fifteen years old, his brief reign was overseen by his two uncles, Friedrich Wilhelm and Anton Ulrich.

Nineteen-year-old Ernst Ludwig II died in Meiningen, Duchy of Saxe-Meiningen, now in Thuringia, Germany, on February 24, 1729, and never reached his majority. He was succeeded by his younger brother Karl Friedrich. Ernst Ludwig is buried in the Castle Church at Elisabethenburg Palace in Meiningen.

This article is the intellectual property of Unofficial Royalty and is NOT TO BE COPIED, EDITED, OR POSTED IN ANY FORM ON ANOTHER WEBSITE under any circumstances. It is permissible to use a link that directs to Unofficial Royalty.

Saxe-Meiningen Resources at Unofficial Royalty