Rudolf Christian, Count of East Frisia
Encyclopedia
Rudolf Christian of Ostfriesland, Count of East Frisia, was count of East Frisia
, (Hage
, 2 June 1602 – Hage
, 17 April 1628) and the second son of Enno III of East Frisia and Anna of Holstein-Gottorp
. During his reign, foreign troops participating in the Thirty Years' War
began retreating into and quartering in East Frisia. Also during his reign, fen
exploitation in East Frisia begins.
He reached a settlement with the East Frisian Estates
, who them paid him homage
, ultimately even the city of Emden
did so. Under his leadership, the Harlingerland
was finally incorporated in the county of East Frisia. This is visible in the county's coat of arms
, which was introduced under his rule in 1625 and remained in use until the county was annexed by Prussia in 1744.
At the age of just 26, he got embroiled in a fight with a lieutenant
of the army of general Matthias Gallas
, which was quartered in Berum Castle
. He was stabbed in the left eye, and died of his wound.
Since Rudolf Christian was childless, he was succeeded as Count of East Frisia by his brother Ulrich II.
County of East Frisia
The County of East-Frisia was a county in the region of East Frisia in the north-west of the present day German state of Lower Saxony.-County:...
, (Hage
Hage
Hage is a small East Frisian town in Lower Saxony, Germany. Located in the Aurich District close to the North Sea, approx. 5 km east of Norden, Hage has a population of 5,893 as of 31 December 2002...
, 2 June 1602 – Hage
Hage
Hage is a small East Frisian town in Lower Saxony, Germany. Located in the Aurich District close to the North Sea, approx. 5 km east of Norden, Hage has a population of 5,893 as of 31 December 2002...
, 17 April 1628) and the second son of Enno III of East Frisia and Anna of Holstein-Gottorp
Anna of Holstein-Gottorp
Anna of Holstein-Gottorp was a German noblewoman.She was a daughter of Adolf of Holstein-Gottorp and Langravine Christine of Hesse ....
. During his reign, foreign troops participating in the Thirty Years' War
Thirty Years' War
The Thirty Years' War was fought primarily in what is now Germany, and at various points involved most countries in Europe. It was one of the most destructive conflicts in European history....
began retreating into and quartering in East Frisia. Also during his reign, fen
Fen
A fen is a type of wetland fed by mineral-rich surface water or groundwater. Fens are characterised by their water chemistry, which is neutral or alkaline, with relatively high dissolved mineral levels but few other plant nutrients...
exploitation in East Frisia begins.
He reached a settlement with the East Frisian Estates
Estates of the realm
The Estates of the realm were the broad social orders of the hierarchically conceived society, recognized in the Middle Ages and Early Modern period in Christian Europe; they are sometimes distinguished as the three estates: the clergy, the nobility, and commoners, and are often referred to by...
, who them paid him homage
Homage
Homage is a show or demonstration of respect or dedication to someone or something, sometimes by simple declaration but often by some more oblique reference, artistic or poetic....
, ultimately even the city of Emden
Emden
Emden is a city and seaport in the northwest of Germany, on the river Ems. It is the main city of the region of East Frisia; in 2006, the city had a total population of 51,692.-History:...
did so. Under his leadership, the Harlingerland
Harlingerland
The Harlingerland is a strip of land on the North Sea coast of East Frisia. Whilst, today, the whole of the district of district of Wittmund is usually described as Harlingerland, historically it is specifically used to refer to the northern part of the present district, which formed the old...
was finally incorporated in the county of East Frisia. This is visible in the county's coat of arms
Coat of arms
A coat of arms is a unique heraldic design on a shield or escutcheon or on a surcoat or tabard used to cover and protect armour and to identify the wearer. Thus the term is often stated as "coat-armour", because it was anciently displayed on the front of a coat of cloth...
, which was introduced under his rule in 1625 and remained in use until the county was annexed by Prussia in 1744.
At the age of just 26, he got embroiled in a fight with a lieutenant
Lieutenant
A lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer in many nations' armed forces. Typically, the rank of lieutenant in naval usage, while still a junior officer rank, is senior to the army rank...
of the army of general Matthias Gallas
Matthias Gallas
Matthias Gallas, Graf von Campo und Herzog von Lucera , was an Austrian soldier, who first saw service in Flanders, then in Savoy with the Spaniards, and subsequently joined the forces of the Catholic League as captain during the Thirty Years' War.On the general outbreak of hostilities in Germany,...
, which was quartered in Berum Castle
Berum Castle
Berum Castle is located in the Berum district the East Frisian town of Hage. It is one of the most important sites in East Frisian history.- History :...
. He was stabbed in the left eye, and died of his wound.
Since Rudolf Christian was childless, he was succeeded as Count of East Frisia by his brother Ulrich II.