Frederick IV, Landgrave of Hesse-Homburg
Encyclopedia
Frederick IV Charles Louis William of Hesse-Homburg (born: 15 April 1724 in Braunfels
; died: 7 February 1751 in Bad Homburg
), was Landgrave of Hesse-Homburg
.
.
Frederick grew up first at Braunfels Castle, and later in Varel
. He was educated in a Humanistic-Christian spirit and attended a few semesters at the University of Leiden. In 1740, he was introduced to Frederick the Great during a visit to Wesel
. At the latter's suggestion, he joined the Prussian army in 1741 and participated in the two Silesian wars
. He distinguished himself at the siege of Brzeg
and was promoted to Captain
. In 1744, he participated in the offensive in Bohemia and the siege and conquest of Prague
. He fell ill there in 1745, and took a leave of absence.
On 10 October 1746 Hungen
, he married Ulrike Luise (1731-1792), the daughter of Prince Frederick William of Solms-Braunfels. On 8 June 1746, his uncle, Landgrave Frederick III
, died in the Netherlands, without a male heir. Frederick Charles succeeded him in Homburg as Frederick IV.
His prime ministers, Friedrich Karl von Moser and Casimir of Criss tried to resolve the financial problems of Hesse-Homburg Finance rehabilitate, but the mismanagement that led to the formation of an imperial debit Commission to oversee the administration of his predecessor, continued.
He had a claim to inherit the Duchy of Courland after the house of Ketteler
died out in 1737. Frederick Charles claimed to be entitled to the Duchy via his grandmother Louise Elisabeth of Courland. However, Empress Anna of Russia
granted the Duchy to her favourite Ernst Johann von Biron
.
In 1747, the senior line of Hesse-Darmstadt
tried to regain possession of Homburg. Troops from Darmstadt marched in and Landgrave Louis VIII
of Hesse-Darmstadt claimed to be Frederick's legal guardian. Frederick, however, was legally an adult and married. A court case was brought before the Emperor and the Aulic Council
. While the case was still being discussed, Frederick IV died in 1751, at the age of 28 of a "chest disease". His son and successor, Frederick V
, had celebrated his third birthday a week before.
Frederick IV was buried in the crypt
of Bad Homburg Castle.
Braunfels
Braunfels is a town in the Lahn-Dill-Kreis in Hesse, Germany. It is located on the German Framework Road.- Location :The climatic spa of Braunfels lies at a height of some 100 m above the Lahn valley...
; died: 7 February 1751 in Bad Homburg
Bad Homburg
Bad Homburg vor der Höhe is the district town of the Hochtaunuskreis, Hesse, Germany, on the southern slope of the Taunus, bordering among others Frankfurt am Main and Oberursel...
), was Landgrave of Hesse-Homburg
Hesse-Homburg
Hesse-Homburg was formed into a separate landgraviate in 1622 by the landgrave of Hesse-Darmstadt to be ruled by his son, although it did not become independent of Hesse-Darmstadt until 1668....
.
Life
Frederick Charles was born at Braunfels Castle as the first child of Prince Casimir William (1690-1726) and his wife Countess Charlotte Christine (1690-1751), daughter of the Count William Maurice of Solms-Braunfels. His father was a son of Landgrave Frederick II of Hesse-HomburgFrederick II, Landgrave of Hesse-Homburg
Frederick II of Hesse-Homburg , also known as the Prince of Homburg was Landgraf of Hesse-Homburg. He was also a successful and experienced general for the crowns of both Sweden and of Brandenburg, but is best remembered as the eponymous hero of Heinrich von Kleist's play Der Prinz von Homburg.-...
.
Frederick grew up first at Braunfels Castle, and later in Varel
Varel
Varel is a town in the district of Friesland, in Lower Saxony, Germany. It is situated near the Jade River and the Jade Bight, approx. 15 km south of Wilhelmshaven, and 30 km north of Oldenburg.- Notable natives :...
. He was educated in a Humanistic-Christian spirit and attended a few semesters at the University of Leiden. In 1740, he was introduced to Frederick the Great during a visit to Wesel
Wesel
Wesel is a city in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It is the capital of the Wesel district.-Division of the town:Suburbs of Wesel include Lackhausen, Obrighoven, Ginderich, Feldmark,Fusternberg, Büderich, Flüren and Blumenkamp.-History:...
. At the latter's suggestion, he joined the Prussian army in 1741 and participated in the two Silesian wars
Silesian Wars
The Silesian Wars were a series of wars between Prussia and Austria for control of Silesia. They formed parts of the larger War of the Austrian Succession and Seven Years' War. They eventually ended with Silesia being incorporated into Prussia, and Austrian recognition of this...
. He distinguished himself at the siege of Brzeg
Brzeg
Brzeg is a town in southwestern Poland with 38,496 inhabitants , situated in Silesia in the Opole Voivodeship on the left bank of the Oder...
and was promoted to Captain
Captain (OF-2)
The army rank of captain is a commissioned officer rank historically corresponding to command of a company of soldiers. The rank is also used by some air forces and marine forces. Today a captain is typically either the commander or second-in-command of a company or artillery battery...
. In 1744, he participated in the offensive in Bohemia and the siege and conquest of Prague
Prague
Prague is the capital and largest city of the Czech Republic. Situated in the north-west of the country on the Vltava river, the city is home to about 1.3 million people, while its metropolitan area is estimated to have a population of over 2.3 million...
. He fell ill there in 1745, and took a leave of absence.
On 10 October 1746 Hungen
Hungen
-Hungen:Hungen is a town in the district of Gießen, in Hesse, Germany. It is situated 20 km southeast of Gießen, and 18 km northeast of Friedberg. Surrounding towns are Laubach to the north, Nidda to the east, Wölfersheim to the south, and Münzenberg and Lich to the west.The history of Hungen...
, he married Ulrike Luise (1731-1792), the daughter of Prince Frederick William of Solms-Braunfels. On 8 June 1746, his uncle, Landgrave Frederick III
Frederick III, Landgrave of Hesse-Homburg
Frederick III James of Hesse-Homburg was a Landgrave of Hesse-Homburg- Life :...
, died in the Netherlands, without a male heir. Frederick Charles succeeded him in Homburg as Frederick IV.
His prime ministers, Friedrich Karl von Moser and Casimir of Criss tried to resolve the financial problems of Hesse-Homburg Finance rehabilitate, but the mismanagement that led to the formation of an imperial debit Commission to oversee the administration of his predecessor, continued.
He had a claim to inherit the Duchy of Courland after the house of Ketteler
Ketteler
Ketteler and also Kettler is the name of a German noble family of Westphalia. Goswin Ketteler zu Assen divided around 1440 the property with his younger brother Röttger. He built on his part of the ground a new house and called himself since then Kettler Neu Assen. He changenged the background of...
died out in 1737. Frederick Charles claimed to be entitled to the Duchy via his grandmother Louise Elisabeth of Courland. However, Empress Anna of Russia
Anna of Russia
Anna of Russia or Anna Ivanovna reigned as Duchess of Courland from 1711 to 1730 and as Empress of Russia from 1730 to 1740.-Accession to the throne:Anna was the daughter of Ivan V of Russia, as well as the niece of Peter the Great...
granted the Duchy to her favourite Ernst Johann von Biron
Ernst Johann von Biron
Ernst Johann von Biron was a Duke of Courland and Semigallia and regent of the Russian Empire .-Biography:Born as Ernst Johann Biren in Kalnciems, Courland, he was the grandson of a groom in the service of Jacob Kettler, Duke of Courland, who bestowed upon him a small estate, which Biron's...
.
In 1747, the senior line of Hesse-Darmstadt
Hesse-Darmstadt
Hesse-Darmstadt or the German Hessen-Darmstadt is a name that describes:* Landgraviate of Hesse-Darmstadt , a state of the Holy Roman Empire...
tried to regain possession of Homburg. Troops from Darmstadt marched in and Landgrave Louis VIII
Louis VIII, Landgrave of Hesse-Darmstadt
Louis VIII was the Landgrave of Hesse-Darmstadt from 1739 to 1768. He was the son of Ernest Louis, Landgrave of Hesse-Darmstadt and Margravine Dorothea Charlotte of Brandenburg-Ansbach....
of Hesse-Darmstadt claimed to be Frederick's legal guardian. Frederick, however, was legally an adult and married. A court case was brought before the Emperor and the Aulic Council
Aulic Council
The Aulic Council was originally an executive-judicial council for the Holy Roman Empire....
. While the case was still being discussed, Frederick IV died in 1751, at the age of 28 of a "chest disease". His son and successor, Frederick V
Frederick V, Landgrave of Hesse-Homburg
Frederick V Louis William Christian , Landgrave of Hesse-Homburg was from 1751 to his death landgrave of Hesse-Homburg...
, had celebrated his third birthday a week before.
Frederick IV was buried in the crypt
Crypt
In architecture, a crypt is a stone chamber or vault beneath the floor of a burial vault possibly containing sarcophagi, coffins or relics....
of Bad Homburg Castle.
Issue
From his marriage to Christine Charlotte, Frederick Charles had the following children:- Frederick V LouisFrederick V, Landgrave of Hesse-HomburgFrederick V Louis William Christian , Landgrave of Hesse-Homburg was from 1751 to his death landgrave of Hesse-Homburg...
(1748-1820), Landgrave of Hesse-Homburg
- married in 1768 with Landgravine Caroline of Hesse-DarmstadtLandgravine Caroline of Hesse-DarmstadtCaroline of Hesse-Darmstadt was a German noblewoman. She was the eldest daughter of Louis IX, Landgrave of Hesse-Darmstadt and his wife Caroline...
(1746-1821)- Marie Christine (1748-1750)