Charles II, Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Strelitz
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Charles II, Grand Duke of Mecklenburg (10 October 1741 – 6 November 1816) was ruler of the state of Mecklenburg-Strelitz
from 1794 until his death. Originally ruling as duke
he was raised to the title grand duke
in 1815. Prior to succeeding to the throne he served as Governor of Hanover from 1776 to 1786.
the second son of Duke Charles Louis Frederick of Mecklenburg, Prince of Mirow and his wife Princess Elizabeth Albertine of Saxe-Hildburghausen
. On 11 December 1752 his uncle Adolf Friedrich III
died and as a result the older brother of Charles succeeded him becoming Adolf Friedrich IV
. With his brother's ascension Charles was taken with the rest of the family from Mirow to the capital Strelitz
.
Since the age of four Charles looked set for a career in Hanoverian service after being given a Captains commission. His sister Charlotte
married the Elector of Hanover, King George III of the United Kingdom
on 8 September 1761. Charles made frequent visits to his sister in Great Britain and he ultimately entered in the service of his brother-in-law, the Elector of Hanover, being given a chief military appointment at Hanover
following service in Spain.
In the Autumn of 1776, Charles was appointed governor-general
of Hanover
by his brother-in-law. As Governor of Hanover, Charles effectively held all the powers of a sovereign ruler; with his brother-in-law having no wish to reside in Germany being thoroughly English. Shortly after being widowed for a second time in December 1785, Charles requested permission to retire from his military employments in Hanover and resign the governorship. His brother-in-law granted his request and promoted Charles to the rank of field marshal
and granted him a pension. Charles then spent some time traveling before settling down in Darmstadt
, where he became President of the Imperial Credit Commission.
Following the childless death of his older brother Adolf Friedrich IV on 2 June 1794, Charles succeeded him as the ruling Duke of Mecklenburg-Strelitz.
force, and implemented compulsory education
. In 1806, his duchy joined the Confederation of the Rhine
. Following the Congress of Vienna
his title was elevated on 28 June 1815, making him a grand duke.
In the summer of 1816 Charles went on a tour of Rebburg, Schwalbach
and Hildburghausen
. Shortly after returning he was taken ill with inflammation of the lungs dying in Neustrelitz
after suffering a fit of apoplexy
. He was succeeded by his eldest son Georg.
on 18 September 1768 in Darmstadt
. They had ten children together with two daughters becoming German queens consort.
After Friederike's death in 1782, he married her sister Princess Charlotte of Hesse-Darmstadt (1755–1785) on 28 September 1784 in Darmstadt
. Charlotte died on 12 December 1785 shortly after giving birth to their son.
Mecklenburg-Strelitz
Mecklenburg-Strelitz was a duchy and later grand duchy in northern Germany, consisting of the eastern fifth of the historic Mecklenburg region, roughly corresponding with the present-day Mecklenburg-Strelitz district , and the western exclave of the former Bishopric of Ratzeburg in modern...
from 1794 until his death. Originally ruling as duke
Duke
A duke or duchess is a member of the nobility, historically of highest rank below the monarch, and historically controlling a duchy...
he was raised to the title grand duke
Grand Duke
The title grand duke is used in Western Europe and particularly in Germanic countries for provincial sovereigns. Grand duke is of a protocolary rank below a king but higher than a sovereign duke. Grand duke is also the usual and established translation of grand prince in languages which do not...
in 1815. Prior to succeeding to the throne he served as Governor of Hanover from 1776 to 1786.
Early life and service in Hanover
Duke Charles Louis Frederick of Mecklenburg was born in MirowMirow
Mirow is a city in the district of Mecklenburgische Seenplatte in southern Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Germany.-Geography:Mirow lies in the middle of the Mecklenburg Lake District on the southern shore of Lake Mirow, which is connected to the Müritz and the Havel by a system of lakes, rivers,...
the second son of Duke Charles Louis Frederick of Mecklenburg, Prince of Mirow and his wife Princess Elizabeth Albertine of Saxe-Hildburghausen
Princess Elizabeth Albertine of Saxe-Hildburghausen
Princess Elizabeth Albertine of Saxe-Hildburghausen was a Duchess consort of Mecklenburg-Strelitz. She served as regent for her son after the death of her spouse.- Biography :...
. On 11 December 1752 his uncle Adolf Friedrich III
Adolf Friedrich III, Duke of Mecklenburg-Strelitz
Adolf Friedrich III was a Duke of Mecklenburg-Strelitz.-Biography:He was born in Strelitz the son of Adolphus Frederick II, Duke of Mecklenburg and his wife Princess Maria of Mecklenburg-Gustrow...
died and as a result the older brother of Charles succeeded him becoming Adolf Friedrich IV
Adolf Friedrich IV, Duke of Mecklenburg-Strelitz
Adolphus Frederick IV was a Duke of Mecklenburg-Strelitz.-Biography:He was born in Mirow to Charles Louis Frederick of Mecklenburg and his wife Princess Elizabeth Albertine of Saxe-Hildburghausen...
. With his brother's ascension Charles was taken with the rest of the family from Mirow to the capital Strelitz
Strelitz
Strelitz refers to:*Mecklenburg-Strelitz, former German duchy*Mecklenburg-Strelitz , former district in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany*Free State of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, state of Weimar Germany*Neustrelitz, city in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany...
.
Since the age of four Charles looked set for a career in Hanoverian service after being given a Captains commission. His sister Charlotte
Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz
Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz was the Queen consort of the United Kingdom as the wife of King George III...
married the Elector of Hanover, King George III of the United Kingdom
George III of the United Kingdom
George III was King of Great Britain and King of Ireland from 25 October 1760 until the union of these two countries on 1 January 1801, after which he was King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland until his death...
on 8 September 1761. Charles made frequent visits to his sister in Great Britain and he ultimately entered in the service of his brother-in-law, the Elector of Hanover, being given a chief military appointment at Hanover
Hanover
Hanover or Hannover, on the river Leine, is the capital of the federal state of Lower Saxony , Germany and was once by personal union the family seat of the Hanoverian Kings of Great Britain, under their title as the dukes of Brunswick-Lüneburg...
following service in Spain.
In the Autumn of 1776, Charles was appointed governor-general
Governor-General
A Governor-General, is a vice-regal person of a monarch in an independent realm or a major colonial circonscription. Depending on the political arrangement of the territory, a Governor General can be a governor of high rank, or a principal governor ranking above "ordinary" governors.- Current uses...
of Hanover
Electorate of Hanover
The Electorate of Brunswick-Lüneburg was the ninth Electorate of the Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation...
by his brother-in-law. As Governor of Hanover, Charles effectively held all the powers of a sovereign ruler; with his brother-in-law having no wish to reside in Germany being thoroughly English. Shortly after being widowed for a second time in December 1785, Charles requested permission to retire from his military employments in Hanover and resign the governorship. His brother-in-law granted his request and promoted Charles to the rank of field marshal
Field Marshal
Field Marshal is a military rank. Traditionally, it is the highest military rank in an army.-Etymology:The origin of the rank of field marshal dates to the early Middle Ages, originally meaning the keeper of the king's horses , from the time of the early Frankish kings.-Usage and hierarchical...
and granted him a pension. Charles then spent some time traveling before settling down in Darmstadt
Darmstadt
Darmstadt is a city in the Bundesland of Hesse in Germany, located in the southern part of the Rhine Main Area.The sandy soils in the Darmstadt area, ill-suited for agriculture in times before industrial fertilisation, prevented any larger settlement from developing, until the city became the seat...
, where he became President of the Imperial Credit Commission.
Following the childless death of his older brother Adolf Friedrich IV on 2 June 1794, Charles succeeded him as the ruling Duke of Mecklenburg-Strelitz.
Ruler of Mecklenburg-Strelitz
As ruler Charles encouraged new agricultural trends, established a new policePolice
The police is a personification of the state designated to put in practice the enforced law, protect property and reduce civil disorder in civilian matters. Their powers include the legitimized use of force...
force, and implemented compulsory education
Compulsory education
Compulsory education refers to a period of education that is required of all persons.-Antiquity to Medieval Era:Although Plato's The Republic is credited with having popularized the concept of compulsory education in Western intellectual thought, every parent in Judea since Moses's Covenant with...
. In 1806, his duchy joined the Confederation of the Rhine
Confederation of the Rhine
The Confederation of the Rhine was a confederation of client states of the First French Empire. It was formed initially from 16 German states by Napoleon after he defeated Austria's Francis II and Russia's Alexander I in the Battle of Austerlitz. The Treaty of Pressburg, in effect, led to the...
. Following the Congress of Vienna
Congress of Vienna
The Congress of Vienna was a conference of ambassadors of European states chaired by Klemens Wenzel von Metternich, and held in Vienna from September, 1814 to June, 1815. The objective of the Congress was to settle the many issues arising from the French Revolutionary Wars, the Napoleonic Wars,...
his title was elevated on 28 June 1815, making him a grand duke.
In the summer of 1816 Charles went on a tour of Rebburg, Schwalbach
Schwalbach
Schwalbach can refer to several places in Germany:*Bad Schwalbach, in the Rheingau-Taunus-Kreis, Hesse*Schwalbach am Taunus, in the Main-Taunus-Kreis, Hesse*Schwalbach, Saarland, in the district of Saarlouis, SaarlandPeople called Schwalbach:...
and Hildburghausen
Hildburghausen
Hildburghausen is a town in Thuringia in central Germany, capital of the district Hildburghausen. It is situated on the river Werra, 20 km south of Suhl, and 25 km northwest of Coburg....
. Shortly after returning he was taken ill with inflammation of the lungs dying in Neustrelitz
Neustrelitz
Neustrelitz is a town in the Mecklenburgische Seenplatte district in the state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany. It is situated on the shore of the Zierker See in the Mecklenburg Lake District. From 1738 until 1918 it was the capital of the duchy of Mecklenburg-Strelitz...
after suffering a fit of apoplexy
Apoplexy
Apoplexy is a medical term, which can be used to describe 'bleeding' in a stroke . Without further specification, it is rather outdated in use. Today it is used only for specific conditions, such as pituitary apoplexy and ovarian apoplexy. In common speech, it is used non-medically to mean a state...
. He was succeeded by his eldest son Georg.
Marriages and children
After unsuccessful attempts to marry a Princess of Denmark and a Princess of Saxe-Gotha Charles married as his first wife Princess Friederike of Hesse-Darmstadt, a daughter of Landgrave George William of Hesse-DarmstadtLandgrave George William of Hesse-Darmstadt
George William of Hesse-Darmstadt was a Prince of Hesse-Darmstadt and an ancestor of many royals of the 19th century. He was born in Darmstadt....
on 18 September 1768 in Darmstadt
Darmstadt
Darmstadt is a city in the Bundesland of Hesse in Germany, located in the southern part of the Rhine Main Area.The sandy soils in the Darmstadt area, ill-suited for agriculture in times before industrial fertilisation, prevented any larger settlement from developing, until the city became the seat...
. They had ten children together with two daughters becoming German queens consort.
- Duchess Charlotte Georgine of Mecklenburg-StrelitzDuchess Charlotte Georgine of Mecklenburg-StrelitzDuchess Charlotte Georgine Luise Friederike of Mecklenburg-Strelitz was a member of the House of Mecklenburg-Strelitz and a Duchess of Mecklenburg-Strelitz by birth and a member of the House of Saxe-Hildburghausen and Duchess consort of Saxe-Hildburghausen...
(1769–1818) married Frederick, Duke of Saxe-Altenburg - Duchess Caroline Auguste of Mecklenburg (1771–1773)
- Duke Georg Carl of Mecklenburg (1772–1773)
- Duchess Therese of MecklenburgDuchess Therese of Mecklenburg-StrelitzDuchess Therese Mathilde Amalie of Mecklenburg-Strelitz was a member of the House of Mecklenburg-Strelitz and a Duchess of Mecklenburg. Through her marriage to Karl Alexander, 5th Prince of Thurn and Taxis, Therese was also a member of the House of Thurn and Taxis.-Family:Therese Mathilde Amalie...
(1773–1839) married Karl Alexander, 5th Prince of Thurn and TaxisKarl Alexander, 5th Prince of Thurn and Taxis-Titles and styles:*22 February 1770 – 17 March 1773: His Serene Highness Prince Karl Alexander of Thurn and Taxis*17 March 1773 – 13 November 1805: His Serene Highness The Hereditary Prince of Thurn and Taxis... - Duke Friedrich Georg of Mecklenburg (1774-1774)
- Duchess Louise of MecklenburgLouise of Mecklenburg-StrelitzDuchess Louise of Mecklenburg-Strelitz was Queen consort of Prussia as the wife of King Frederick William III...
(1776–1810) married Frederick William III of PrussiaFrederick William III of PrussiaFrederick William III was king of Prussia from 1797 to 1840. He was in personal union the sovereign prince of the Principality of Neuchâtel .-Early life:... - Duchess Frederica of MecklenburgFrederica of Mecklenburg-StrelitzFrederica of Mecklenburg-Strelitz , Duchess of Cumberland and later Queen of Hanover , was the consort of Ernest Augustus I of Hanover, the fifth son and eighth child of George III and Queen Charlotte.She was born in the Altes Palais of Hanover as the fifth...
(1778–1841) married (1) Prince Louis Charles of PrussiaPrince Louis Charles of PrussiaPrince Louis Charles of Prussia was the second son and third child of Frederick William II of Prussia and Frederika Louisa of Hesse-Darmstadt.-Marriage and issue:...
(2) Frederick William, Prince of Solms-Braunfels (3) Ernest Augustus I of HanoverErnest Augustus I of HanoverErnest Augustus I was King of Hanover from 20 June 1837 until his death. He was the fifth son and eighth child of George III, who reigned in both the United Kingdom and Hanover... - Georg, Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-StrelitzGeorg, Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-StrelitzGeorge, Grand Duke of Mecklenburg ruled the state of Mecklenburg-Strelitz from 1816 until his death.-Early life:...
(1779–1860) - Duke Friedrich Karl of Mecklenburg (1781–1783)
- Duchess Auguste Albertine of Mecklenburg (1782-1782)
After Friederike's death in 1782, he married her sister Princess Charlotte of Hesse-Darmstadt (1755–1785) on 28 September 1784 in Darmstadt
Darmstadt
Darmstadt is a city in the Bundesland of Hesse in Germany, located in the southern part of the Rhine Main Area.The sandy soils in the Darmstadt area, ill-suited for agriculture in times before industrial fertilisation, prevented any larger settlement from developing, until the city became the seat...
. Charlotte died on 12 December 1785 shortly after giving birth to their son.
- Duke Charles of MecklenburgDuke Charles of MecklenburgDuke Charles of Mecklenburg was a member of the House of Mecklenburg-Strelitz and a Prussian soldier who served in the Napoleonic Wars...
(1785–1837)
Titles and styles
- 10 October 1741 2 June 1794: His Serene Highness Duke Charles of Mecklenburg, Prince of Mirow
- 2 June 1794 28 June 1815: His Ducal Serene Highness The Duke of Mecklenburg
- 28 June 1815 6 November 1816: His Royal Highness: The Grand Duke of Mecklenburg