Marie Friederike of Hesse-Kassel, Duchess of Saxe-Meiningen

by Scott Mehl © Unofficial Royalty 2018

Marie Friederike of Hesse-Kassel, Duchess of Saxe-Meiningen; Credit – Wikipedia

Princess Marie Friederike of Hesse-Kassel was the wife of Bernhard II, Duke of Saxe-Meiningen. She was born in Kassel, Electorate of Hesse, now in Hesse, Germany, on September 6, 1804, to Wilhelm II, Elector of Hesse and Princess Auguste of Prussia, and had five siblings:

Prince Wilhelm (1798-1780) – died in childhood
Princess Karoline (1799-1854) – unmarried
Princess Luise (1801-1803) – died in childhood
Friedrich Wilhelm, Elector of Hesse (1802-1888) – married Gertrude Falkenstein, had issue
Prince Ferdinand (born and died1806) – died in infancy

Marie Friederike also had eight half-siblings from her father’s second morganatic marriage in 1841 to his longtime mistress Emilie Ortlöpp, Countess von Reichenbach-Lessonitz, who were all born before the marriage and styled Count/Countess von Reichenbach-Lessonitz:

Countess Luise (1813-1883) – married Karl, Count von Bose
Count Julius (1815-1822) – died in childhood
Countess Amalie (1816) – married (1) Wilhelm, Count von Lückner; (2) Karl, Baron von Watzdorf; (3) Wilhelm, Count von Lückner
Count Gustav Karl (1818-1861) – married Clementine Richter
Countess Emilie (1820-1891) – married Felix, Count Zichy-Ferraris
Countess Friederike (1821-1891) – married Wilhelm, Baron von Dungern
Count Wilhelm (1824-1866) – married Amelie, Baroness Goeler von Ravensburg
Countess Helene (1825-1898) – married Oswald, Baron von Fabrice

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

Although she had been considered as a potential bride for King Oscar I of Sweden several years earlier, Marie Friederike married Bernhard II, Duke of Saxe-Meiningen on March 23, 1825. He was the son of Georg I, Duke of Saxe-Meiningen and Princess Luise Eleonore of Hohenlohe-Langenburg. Marie Friederike and Bernhard had two children, born over seventeen years apart:

Georg II, Duke of Saxe-Meiningen (1826-1914) – married (1) Princess Charlotte of Prussia, had issue; (2) Princess Feodora of Hohenlohe-Langenburg, had issue; (3) Ellen Franz, no issue
Princess Auguste (1843-1919) – married Prince Moritz of Saxe-Altenburg, had issue

Marie Friederike was Duchess of Saxe-Meiningen from her marriage until her husband was forced to abdicate in favor of his son, in 1866 following the defeat of Austria, who he supported, in the Austro-Prussian War. The couple took up residence at the Great Palace (link in German) in Meiningen, where they would live the rest of their lives.

The Dowager Duchess died in Meiningen, Duchy of Saxe-Meiningen, now in Thuringia, Germany on January 1, 1888, having survived her husband for more than five years. 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.

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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.

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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:

Princess Adelheid, Queen Adelaide of the United Kingdom (1792-1849) – married King William IV of the United Kingdom, no surviving issue
Princess Ida (1794-1852) – married Prince Bernhard of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach, had issue

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:

Georg II, Duke of Saxe-Meiningen (1826-1914) – married (1) Princess Charlotte of Prussia, had issue; (2) Princess Feodora of Hohenlohe-Langenburg, had issue; (3) Ellen Franz, no issue
Princess Auguste (1843-1919) – married Prince Moritz of Saxe-Altenburg, had issue

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.

September 1918: Royalty and World War I

by Susan Flantzer

Lieutenant Colonel Lord Alexander Thynne
Timeline: September 1, 1918 – September 30, 1918
A Note About German Titles
September 1918 – Royals/Nobles/Peers/Sons of Peers Who Died In Action

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Lieutenant Colonel Lord Alexander Thynne

Lieutenant Colonel Lord Alexander Thynne; Photo Credit – Wikipedia

Born on February 17, 1873, Lord Alexander Thynne was the youngest of the six children and the third of the three sons of John Thynne, 4th Marquess of Bath and The Honorable Frances Vesey, daughter of Thomas Vesey, 3rd Viscount de Vesci.

Known as Alex, he had five older siblings:

Thomas Thynne, 5th Marquess of Bath (1862–1946), married Violet Caroline Mordaunt, had five children, their eldest son 2nd Lt. John Thynne, Viscount Weymouth was killed in action in 1916. See Unofficial Royalty: February 1916 – Royalty and World War I
Lady Alice Thynne (1863–1942), married Sir Michael Shaw-Stewart, 8th Baronet , no children
Lady Katherine Thynne (1865–1933), second wife of Evelyn Baring, 1st Earl of Cromer , had one son
Lord John Thynne (1867–1887), unmarried
Lady Beatrice Thynne (1867–1941), unmarried

Alex joined the Wiltshire Yeomanry Territorials as a second lieutenant in 1897 and served in the Boer War (1899-1902). In 1910 , he was elected an Member of Parliament for Bath and held that position until his death. At the start of World War I, he was in camp with the Wiltshire Yeomanry Territorials as a Major in command of “A” Company and the second in command of the regiment. His first cousin Colonel Ulric Thynne was the commanding officer.

Alex arrived in France in July 1916 during the Battle of the Somme and almost immediately became the commanding officer of the 8th Battalion Gloucester Regiment due to the previous commanding officer’s injury. On July 30, 1916, while urging his men on, Alex was shot in the chest, damaging his right lung and liver. He spent some time in an army hospital in Boulogne, France and returned in mid-August to England to recover. In mid-December, having been declared fit for duty and now attached to the 10th Battalion Worcester Regiment, he returned to France.

In January 1917, Alex received the Distinguished Service Order and the Croix de Guerre. He returned to the Wiltshire Regiment and became the commanding officer of the 6th (Royal Wiltshire Yeomanry) Battalion. The battalion was engaged in heavy fighting in Ypres and Cambrai. In March 1918, the battalion was in Baupaume and suffered heavy casualties. Alex was wounded by a piece of shrapnel that was embedded in his left arm. By the end of March 1918, he was back in England recovering. Despite suffering severe wounds twice, Alex was anxious to return to duty. On the same day he was deemed fit to return to duty, he wrote a letter requesting to return to his original battalion in France. He could have taken a position behind the lines or back in England or he could have returned to his duties in Parliament – Members of Parliament were exempt from military service – but that was not his style.

Alex was back in France by the end of May 1918 and on September 14, 1918, he was killed at the age of 45. The following letter was written by an army chaplain to his next of kin, his brother Thomas Thynne, 5th Marquess of Bath:

“It is with very great regret that I write to offer you my sincere sympathy on the death of your brother Lord Alex. Thynne, in command of this battalion. He was killed while on his way to take over some fresh Head-Quarters. A shell burst right on top of the party whilst they were trying to shelter in a ditch at the side of the road. The doctor was badly wounded, the Signal Officer was killed instantly, and your brother died from the effects of his wounds within a few minutes. The bodies were brought down to our transport lines this morning, and they were buried this evening at 6.00pm. The Senior Chaplain took the service and I helped him. The coffin was carried by four sergeant-majors and the bugler sounded the “Last Post” at the end of the service. The Divisional General was present and a good many others. Your brother’s death will be a great loss to the Battalion, to every man of which he endeared himself. Personally, although I have been only a few months with him, I shall miss him very much.” (Information from Led by Lions: MPs and Sons Who Fell in the First World War by Neil Thornton)

Lieutenant Colonel Lord Alexander Thynne was buried in the Bethune Town Cemetery in Pas de Calais, France.

Grave of Lieutenant Colonel Lord Alexander Thynne: Photo Credit – www.findagrave.com

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Timeline: September 1, 1918 – September 30, 1918

The Western Front in France in September 1918; Photo Credit – Wikipedia

September 1–2 – Battle of Peronne, a phase of the Battle of Mont Saint-Quentin, Mont Saint-Quentin, near Péronne, Picardy, France
September 2–3 – Battle of Drocourt-Queant Line, final phase of the Second Battle of the Somme, between the French towns of Drocourt and Quéant
September 10 – Battle of Savy-Dallon, a phase of the Hundred Days Offensive
September 12 – Battle of Havrincourt, a phase of the Hundred Days Offensive, in Havrincourt, France
September 12–19 – Battle of Saint-Mihiel, a phase of the Hundred Days Offensive, in Saint-Mihiel, France
September 14 – Battle of Vauxaillon, a phase of the Hundred Days Offensive
September 14–29 – Vardar Offensive, final offensive on the Balkan Front, in Vardar Macedonia (present day Republic of Macedonia)
September 15 – The Allies (French and Serbs) break through the Bulgarian lines at Dobro Polje, a phase of the Vardar Offensive, in Dobro Pole (present day Republic of Macedonia)
September 18 – Battle of Epehy, a phase of the Hundred Days Offensive in Épehy, France
September 18–19 – Third Battle of Doiran, a phase of the Vardar Offensive, in Dojran Lake, Kingdom of Serbia (present-day Republic of Macedonia)
September 18 – October 17 – Battle of the Hindenburg Line, a phase of the Hundred Days Offensive, the Allies break through the German lines, at the Hindenburg Line in France
September 19–25 – Battle of Megiddo, the British conquer Palestine in Tel Megiddo and surroundings, Ottoman Syria (now Israel)
September 19–25 – Battle of Nablus, a phase of the Battle of Meggido
September 19–25 – Third Transjordan Attack, a phase of the Battle of Nablus in the Jordan River valley
September 19–25 – Battle of Sharon, a phase of the Battle of Megiddo
September 19 – Battle of Tulkarm, a phase of the Battle of Sharon
September 19 – Battle of Arara, a phase of the Battle of Sharon
September 19–20 – Battle of Tabsor, a phase of the Battle of Sharon
September 20–21 – Battle of Nazareth, a phase of the Battle of Sharon
September 23 – Battle of Haifa, a phase of the Battle of Sharon
September 25 – Battle of Samakh, a phase of the Battle of Sharon
September 25 – Second Battle of Amman, a phase of the Third Transjordan Attack
September 26 – November 11 – Meuse-Argonne Offensive, the final phase of the Hundred Days Offensive and of World War I, in France
September 26 – Battle of Somme-Py, Initial phase of the Meuse-Argonne Offensive, in France
September 27 – Battle of Jisr Benat Yakub, a phase of the Capture of Damascus
September 27 – October 1 – Battle of the Canal du Nord, a phase of the Battle of the Hindenburg Line, in Canal du Nord, France
September 28 – October 2 – Fifth Battle of Ypres (also known as Advance on Flanders), a phase of the Battle of the Hindenburg Line in Ypres, Belgium to Ghent, Belgium
September 29 – October 10 – Battle of St. Quentin Canal, a phase of the Hundred Days Offensive
September 30 – Bulgaria signs the Armistice of Salonica, an armistice with the Allies
September 30 – Battle of Saint-Thierry, initial phase of the Meuse-Argonne Offensive
September 30 – Charge at Kaukab, a phase of the Capture of Damascus
September 30 – Charge at Kiswe, a phase of the Capture of Damascus

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A Note About German Titles

Many German royals and nobles died in World War I. The German Empire consisted of 27 constituent states, most of them ruled by royal families. Scroll down to German Empire here to see what constituent states made up the German Empire. The constituent states retained their own governments, but had limited sovereignty. Some had their own armies, but the military forces of the smaller ones were put under Prussian control. In wartime, armies of all the constituent states would be controlled by the Prussian Army and the combined forces were known as the Imperial German Army. German titles may be used in Royals Who Died In Action below. Refer to Unofficial Royalty: Glossary of German Noble and Royal Titles.

24 British peers were also killed in World War I and they will be included in the list of those who died in action. In addition, more than 100 sons of peers also lost their lives, and those that can be verified will also be included.

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September 1918 – Royals/Nobles/Peers/Sons of Peers Who Died In Action

The list is in chronological order and does contain some who would be considered noble instead of royal. The links in the last bullet for each person is that person’s genealogical information from Leo’s Genealogics Website or to The Peerage website If a person has a Wikipedia page or a website page with biographical information, their name will be linked to that page.

Wolf Ernst, Graf von Stolberg-Wernigerode

son of Constantin, Graf zu Stolberg-Wernigerode and Elisabeth, Princess of Stolberg-Wernigerode
born December 7, 1895 in Merseburg, Saxony (Germany)
killed in action September 1, 1918 in Soissons, France, age 22
http://www.genealogics.org/getperson.php?personID=I00062845&tree=LEO

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Prince Ferdinand of Solms-Hohensolms-Lich

son of Ludwig, Prince of Solms-Hohensolms-Lich and Louise, Gräfin zu Lynar
born May 25, 1886
killed in action September 1, 1918
http://www.genealogics.org/getperson.php?personID=I00354861&tree=LEO

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Prince Albrecht of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach

son of Prince Wilhelm of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenac h and Princess Gerta of Ysenburg and Büdingen
born December 23, 1886 in Dusseldorf, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
killed in action September 9, 1918 in Gouzeaucourt, France
http://www.genealogics.org/getperson.php?personID=I00191500&tree=LEO

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Lieutenant Colonel Lord Alexander George Thynne (see above)

son of John Thynne, 4th Marquess of Bath and The Honorable Frances Vesey
born February 17, 1873
unmarried
Lieutenant Colonel in the Wiltshire Regiment
killed in action September 14, 1918 in France, age 45
buried at Béthune Town Cemetery in Pas de Calais, France
http://www.thepeerage.com/p2453.htm#i24526

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Lieutenant Colonel The Honorable Arthur Reginald Clegg-Hill

son of Rowland Clegg-Hill, 3rd Viscount Hill and his second wife The Honorable Isabella Wynn
born June 15, 1877 at Hawkstone Hall in Hodnet, Shropshire, England
married 1905 Evelyn Hilda Sinclair Bell, had two daughters who did not survive infancy
Acting Lieutenant-Colonel of the 2nd Battalion, Cheshire Regiment
killed in action September 18, 1918 in Salonika, Greece, age 41
http://www.thepeerage.com/p22104.htm#i221032

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Ferdinand-Joseph, Graf von Galen

son of Augustinus, Graf von Galen and Levina, Gräfin von Korgg
born September 4, 1898 in Sigmaringen, Hohenzollern, Prussia (Germany)
killed in action September 21, 1918 in Couroy near Reims, France, age 20
http://www.genealogics.org/getperson.php?personID=I00218242&tree=LEO

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Ferdinand, Graf von Wolff Metternich zur Gracht

son of Ferdinand, Graf von Wolff Metternich zur Gracht and Flaminia, Prinzessin zu Salm und Salm-Salm, Wild- und Rheingräfin
born May 30, 1881
killed in action September 29, 1918 in Bellicourt, France, age 37
http://www.genealogics.org/getperson.php?personID=I00089158&tree=LEO

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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:

Princess Adelheid, Queen Adelaide of the United Kingdom (1792-1849) – married King William IV of the United Kingdom, no surviving issue
Princess Ida (1794-1852) – married Prince Bernhard of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach, had issue
Bernhard II, Duke of Saxe-Meiningen (1800-1882) – married Princess Marie Friederike of Hesse-Kassel, had issue

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.

Georg I, Duke of Saxe-Meiningen

by Scott Mehl
© Unofficial Royalty 2018

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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:

Charlotte (1751-1827) – married Ernst II, Duke of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg, had issue
Luise (1752-1781) – married Landgrave Adolph of Hesse-Philippsthal-Barchfeld, had issue
Elisabeth (1753-1754-1782) – died in infancy
Karl Wilhelm, Duke of Saxe-Meiningen (1754) – married Princess Luise of Stolberg-Gedern, no issue
Friedrich Franz (1756-1761) – died in childhood
Friedrich Wilhelm (1757-1758) -died in infancy
Amalie (1762-1798) – married Prince Carl Heinrich Erdmann of Carolath-Bytom

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:

Princess Adelheid, Queen Adelaide of the United Kingdom (1792 – 1849) – married King William IV of the United Kingdom, no surviving issue
Princess Ida (1794 – 1852) – married Prince Bernhard of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach, had issue
Bernhard II, Duke of Saxe-Meiningen (1800 – 1882) – married Princess Marie Friederike of Hesse-Kassel, had issue

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.

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:

Duke Friedrich Eugen (1788-1857) – married (1) Princess Mathilde of Waldeck and Pyrmont, had issue; (2) Princess Helene of Hohenlohe-Langenburg, had issue
Duchess Luise (1789-1851) – married Friedrich August Karl, Prince of Hohenlohe-Oehringen, had issue
DukeGeorg Ferdinand (1790-1795) – died in childhood
Duke Heinrich (1792-1797) – died in childhood
Duke Friedrich Paul Wilhelm (1797-1860) – married Princess Maria Sophie of Thurn and Taxis, had issue

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.

Saxe-Meiningen Resources at Unofficial Royalty

Karl Wilhelm, Duke of Saxe-Meiningen

by Scott Mehl © Unofficial Royalty 2018

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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:

Charlotte (1751-1827) – married Ernst II, Duke of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg, had issue
Luise (1752-1805) – married Landgrave Adolph of Hesse-Philippsthal-Barchfeld, had issue
Elisabeth (1753-1754) – died in infancy
Friedrich Franz (1756-1761) – died in childhood
Friedrich Wilhelm (1757-1758) -died in infancy
Georg I, Duke of Saxe-Meiningen (1761-1803) – married Princess Luise Eleonore of Hohenlohe-Langenburg, had issue including Adelaide of Saxe-Meiningen, Queen of the United Kingdom, wife of King William IV
Amalie (1762-1798) – married Prince Carl Heinrich Erdmann of Carolath-Bytom

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.

Saxe-Meiningen Resources at Unofficial Royalty

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

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:

Charlotte (1751-1827) – married Ernst II, Duke of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg, had issue
Luise (1752-1805) – married Landgrave Adolph of Hesse-Philippsthal-Barchfeld, had issue
Elisabeth (1753-1754) – died in infancy
Karl Wilhelm, Duke of Saxe-Meiningen (1754-1782) – married Princess Luise of Stolberg-Gedern, no issue
Friedrich Franz (1756-1761) – died in childhood
Friedrich Wilhelm (1757) -died in infancy
Georg I, Duke of Saxe-Meiningen (1761-1803) – married Princess Luise Eleonore of Hohenlohe-Langenburg, had issue
Amalie (1762-1798) – married Prince Carl Heinrich Erdmann of Carolath-Bytom

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.

Saxe-Meiningen Resources at Unofficial Royalty

Anton Ulrich, Duke of Saxe-Meiningen

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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:

Ernst Ludwig I, Duke of Saxe-Meiningen (1672-1724) – married (1) Dorothea Maria of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg, had issue; (2) Elisabeth Sophie of Brandenburg, no issue
Bernhard (1673-1694) – unmarried
Johann Ernst (1674-1675) – died in infancy
Marie Elisabeth (born and died 1676) – died in infancy
Johann Georg (1677-1678) – died in infancy
Friedrich Wilhelm, Duke of Saxe-Meiningen (1679-1746) – unmarried
Georg Ernst (1680-1699) – unmarried, died from smallpox

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:

Charlotte (1751-1827) – married Ernst II, Duke of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg, had issue
Luise (1752-1895) – married Landgrave Adolph of Hesse-Philippsthal-Barchfeld, had issue
Elisabeth (1753-1754) – died in infancy
Karl Wilhelm, Duke of Saxe-Meiningen (1754-1782) – married Princess Luise of Stolberg-Gedern, no issue
Friedrich Franz (1756-1761) – died in childhood
Friedrich Wilhelm (1757-1758) -died in infancy
Georg I, Duke of Saxe-Meiningen (1761-1803) – married Princess Luise Eleonore of Hohenlohe-Langenburg, had issue
Amalie (1762-1798) – married Prince Carl Heinrich Erdmann of Carolath-Beuthen

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.

Saxe-Meiningen Resources at Unofficial Royalty

Friedrich Wilhelm, Duke of Saxe-Meiningen

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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:

Ernst Ludwig I, Duke of Saxe-Meiningen (1672-1724) – married (1) Dorothea Maria of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg, had issue; (2) Elisabeth Sophie of Brandenburg, no issue
Bernhard (1673-1694) – died in childhood
Johann Ernst (1674-1675) – died in infancy
Marie Elisabeth (born and died 1676) – died in infancy
Johann Georg (1677-1678) – died in infancy
Georg Ernst (1680-1699) – died from smallpox

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

Elisabeth Ernestine (1681-1766) – unmarried, Abbess of Gandersheim Abbey
Eleonore Friederike (1683-1739) – unmarried, nun at Gandersheim Abbey
Anton August (born and died 1684) – died in infancy
Wilhelmine Luise (1686) – married Carl, Duke of Württemberg-Bernstadt, no issue
Anton Ulrich, Duke of Saxe-Meiningen (1687-1763) – married Charlotte Amalie of Hesse-Philippsthal, had issue

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.

Saxe-Meiningen Resources at Unofficial Royalty

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