Sibylle Auguste of Saxe-Lauenburg
Encyclopedia
Sibylle of Saxe-Lauenburg (Franziska Sibylle Auguste; 21 January 1675 – 10 July 1733) was Margravine of Baden-Baden
. Born a Duchess of Saxe-Lauenburg, she was the wife of Louis William, Margrave of Baden-Baden
, a famous Imperial general who was known as the Türkenlouis. She acted as consort of the ruler of Baden-Baden (1690–1707) and then regent of Baden-Baden (1707–1727) for her son Louis George
.
and his wife Countess Palatine Maria Hedwig Augusta of Sulzbach
.
In 1676 the family moved to Schlackenwerth in Bohemia
where she and her sister spent their youth. Her older sister Anna Maria Franziska of Saxe-Lauenburg
was the future Grand Duchess of Tuscany as the wife of Gian Gastone de' Medici
future Grand Duke of Tuscany. When their mother died in 1681, their education was entrusted to Countess Eva Polyxena of Werschowitz (d. 1699). Their education was conducted in the art of courtly etiquette in conversation, painting and music, deemed the traditional education for a female in the era. She was also taught by her grand father Christian Augustus, Count Palatine of Sulzbach
.
As the two sisters were the only surviving children of the duke and duchess of Saxe-Lauenburg, they were desirable candidates for marriage due to their inheritance which they would be intitled to at their fathers death in 1689.
At her fathers death, her sister would become the duchess of Saxe-Lauenburg in her own right and would pass the duchy to her children. Their father was apparently poisoned according to court gossip, the culprit allegedly Countess Werschowitz.
With his death, the Lauenburg line of the House of Ascania was extinct in the male line. However, female succession was possible by the Saxe-Lauenburgian laws. So the legal female heir to the throne, Duchess Anna Maria Franziska, and her sister Sibylle of Saxe-Lauenburg fought for the succession of the former, the elder of them. Also Julius Francis' cousin, Eleonore Charlotte of Saxe-Lauenburg-Franzhagen
, claimed the succession. Their weakness was abused by Duke George William of the neighbouring Brunswick-Lunenburgian Principality of Lunenburg-Celle, who invaded Saxe-Lauenburg with his troops, thus inhibiting Anna Maria's ascension as Duchess regnant.
Also other monarchies claimed the succession, evoking a conflict further involving the neighbouring duchies of Mecklenburg-Schwerin and of Danish
Holstein
, as well as the five Ascanian-ruled Principalities of Anhalt
, the Electorate of Saxony
, which had succeeded the Saxe-Wittenbergian Ascanians in 1422, Sweden and Brandenburg. The conflict was finally settled on 9 October 1693 (Hamburger Vergleich), definitely ousting the dispossessed Anna Maria and her sister. Both sisters never gave up the claim.
Emperor Leopold I rejected Celle's succession and thus retained the Saxe-Lauenburgian exclave of Hadeln, which was out of Celle's reach, in his custody. Only in 1728 his son Emperor Charles VI enfeoffed George II Augustus with Saxe-Lauenburg, finally legitimising the de facto takeover by his grandfather in 1689 and 1693. In 1731 George II Augustus also gained Hadeln from imperial custody.
but preferred the other candidate, the older and impoverished Margrave of Baden-Baden who had lost practically everything due to the war with France.
Sibylle was engaged to Louis William, Margrave of Baden-Baden
, some 20 years older than she and childless. He was also known as Türkenlouis (Turk Louis) due to his famous efforts again Louis XIV in the field and as part of the Imperial Army
.
As a result, Louis William traveled to meet his young bride in Bohemia.
. Although a reigning prince
, Louis of Baden-Baden was a retired general, twenty years older than Sibylle Auguste.
The emperor had deemed that her sister marry Prince Eugene of Savoy
again due to his service in the name of the emperor. As such she married Philipp Wilhelm of the Palatinate, son of Philip William, Elector Palatine and Elisabeth Amalie of Hesse-Darmstadt
. When Philipp Wilhelm died in 1693, she married again to Gian Gastone de' Medici
, Grand Prince of Tuscany and son of Cosimo III de' Medici, Grand Duke of Tuscany
and Marguerite Louise d'Orléans
(first cousin of Louis XIV).
Shortly after his marriage to Sibylle was the Margrave Louis William, however, was again engaged in the war against the Ottomans. In the battle of Slankamen
was his greatest triumph and took place in 1691.
The exchange of letters between the young Sibylle and her husband have since been lost, but Sibylle had a close relationship with her grandfather, the Christian August, Count Palatine of Sulzbach; From these letters it is obvious that Christian August adored his youngest grand daughter.
In the early years of the marriage, Sibylle was often separated from her husband and had plenty of time to cultivate her personal interests. But soon she began to worry about the management of their property, an experience from which they drew much benefit later. She wanted her future husband and moved to the side are with him from camp to camp, but this is very detrimental to their health.
With regards to her children, Sibylle was named the unlucky; her first pregnancy ended in miscarriage; the first child lived for six months; the second four years; the third six years and the fourth three years. The fifth died after four months. In all there were nine children, who emerged from the marriage, of which only three reached the tenth year of life - a daughter and two sons. The daughter died in childbirth at age 22, the sons were 53 and 65 years old.
When her first son Charles Joseph, Hereditary Prince of Baden-Baden died in 1703, she made a first pilgrimage to Maria Einsiedeln; it was followed by another seven pilgrimages.
, died in January 1707 aged 51 of a war injury. He was succeeded by their eldest surviving son Louis George
who had been Hereditary Prince of Baden-Baden since his birth in 1702.
Louis George was aged five and as such, Sibylle was created the Regent of Baden-Baden in the name of her son. Sibylle's has been credited with the reconstruction of Baden-Baden, a state which had been ravaged greatly by the French during their various wars prior to Louis George's birth. Sibylle held a tight rein on the states finances and by the time of Louis George's majority in 1727, the state was once again flourishing and she had considerably augmented his own personal fortune. Whenever she could, she made pilgrimages to the next secular advisors, such as Leopold, Duke of Lorraine
and the Elector Johann Wilhelm, Elector Palatine
. She also sought spiritual support too.
During her regency, she helped reconstruct as well as create many new splendid buildings including palaces, villa's as well as places of worship.
With the Treaty of Rastatt
in 1714, she built the Einsiedeln Chapel in Rastatt
in gratitude. Louis George reached his majority on 22 October 1727 at the age of 25. Sibylle thus retired from state administration to the Schloss Ettlingen in Ettlingen
. In her dowager years, she also carried out various improvements which were finished in the year of her death in 1733.
As her only daughter was still unmarried in 1723, it was Siyblle tried to find a suitable candidate for her only daughter known as Johanna. Her mother proposed two candidates; Prince Alexander Ferdinand of Thurn and Taxis
, son and heir of Anselm Franz of Thurn and Taxis
, a wealthy German noble of the powerful Thurn and Taxis family and the Postmaster General of the Holy Roman Empire
. The second was a French nobleman Louis d'Orléans, Duke of Orléans. Her mother preferred the French match as it would strengthen ties with a powerful neighbour who prior to Johanna's birth, had ravaged Baden-Baden. Johanna however preferred the German match due to her roots.
Johanna, however gave into her mother and agreed to the match with Louis d'Orléans and there was a proxy ceremony held at the Schloss Rastatt
before she was married on 13 July 1724 Louis d'Orléans, the grandson of Louis XIV of France
. Chosen for, among other reasons, her family's Catholic beliefs, she brought a comparatively small dowry of 80,000 livres
to the House of Orléans
.
Damian Hugo Philipp von Schönborn-Buchheim, she led a very religious life and visited various monasteries.
Sibylle, born a Duchess of Saxe-Lauenburg, Margravine of Baden-Baden and Regent of Baden-Baden died at the Schloss Ettlingen on 10 July 1733 at the age of 58. As instructed in her will she was buried at the Schloss Rastatt with little pomp.
with her husband in the first years of their marriage, the two carried out improvements to the Weißes Schloss (White Palace). Their chosen architect was Johann Michael Sock.
Sibylles most significant legacy was the Schloss Rastatt
, which became the main residence of the rulers of Baden-Baden when Rastatt got promoted to city status in 1700. The residence in Rastatt is the oldest baroque
residence in the German Upper Rhine
area and was built according to the example of the French Palace of Versailles
.
She also carried out various other projects:
Baden-Baden
Baden-Baden is a spa town in Baden-Württemberg, Germany. It is located on the western foothills of the Black Forest, on the banks of the Oos River, in the region of Karlsruhe...
. Born a Duchess of Saxe-Lauenburg, she was the wife of Louis William, Margrave of Baden-Baden
Louis William, Margrave of Baden-Baden
Louis William, Margrave of Baden was the ruler of Baden in Germany and chief commander of the Imperial army. He was also known as Türkenlouis...
, a famous Imperial general who was known as the Türkenlouis. She acted as consort of the ruler of Baden-Baden (1690–1707) and then regent of Baden-Baden (1707–1727) for her son Louis George
Louis George, Margrave of Baden-Baden
Louis George of Baden-Baden was the Margrave of Baden-Baden from 1707 till his death in 1761. From 1707 till 1727 his mother Sibylle of Saxe-Lauenburg was the regent of Baden-Baden. He was succeeded by his younger brother August Georg Simpert...
.
Early life
Franziska Sibylle Augusta was born in 1675 at the Schloss Ratzeburg the second daughter of Julius Francis, Duke of Saxe-LauenburgJulius Francis, Duke of Saxe-Lauenburg
Julius Francis was duke of Saxe-Lauenburg between 1666 and 1689. He was a son of Duke Julius Henry and his third wife Anna Magdalena of Lobkowicz , daughter of Baron William the Younger Popel von Lobkowitz...
and his wife Countess Palatine Maria Hedwig Augusta of Sulzbach
Hedwig of the Palatinate-Sulzbach
Marie Hedwig Auguste of the Palatinate-Sulzbach was a Countess Palatine of Sulzbach by birth and by marriage, Archduchess of Austria-Tyrol and by her second marriage, Duchess of Saxe-Lauenburg.- Life :...
.
In 1676 the family moved to Schlackenwerth in Bohemia
Bohemia
Bohemia is a historical region in central Europe, occupying the western two-thirds of the traditional Czech Lands. It is located in the contemporary Czech Republic with its capital in Prague...
where she and her sister spent their youth. Her older sister Anna Maria Franziska of Saxe-Lauenburg
Anna Maria Franziska of Saxe-Lauenburg
Anna Maria Franziska of Saxe-Lauenburg was the legal Duchess of Saxe-Lauenburg in the eyes of the Holy Roman Emperor, the overlord of Saxe-Lauenburg, from 1689 until 1728; however, because her distant cousin George William, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg, conquered the duchy by force in 1689, she...
was the future Grand Duchess of Tuscany as the wife of Gian Gastone de' Medici
Gian Gastone de' Medici, Grand Duke of Tuscany
Gian Gastone de' Medici was the seventh and last Medicean Grand Duke of Tuscany. He was the second son of Cosimo III de' Medici, Grand Duke of Tuscany, and Marguerite Louise d'Orléans, Princess of France...
future Grand Duke of Tuscany. When their mother died in 1681, their education was entrusted to Countess Eva Polyxena of Werschowitz (d. 1699). Their education was conducted in the art of courtly etiquette in conversation, painting and music, deemed the traditional education for a female in the era. She was also taught by her grand father Christian Augustus, Count Palatine of Sulzbach
Christian Augustus, Count Palatine of Sulzbach
Christian Augustus was the Count Palatine of Sulzbach from 1632 until 1708.-Life:Christian Augustus was born in Sulzbach in 1622 as the eldest son of Augustus, Count Palatine of Sulzbach. He succeeded his father in 1632. Christian Augustus was a tolerant ruler...
.
As the two sisters were the only surviving children of the duke and duchess of Saxe-Lauenburg, they were desirable candidates for marriage due to their inheritance which they would be intitled to at their fathers death in 1689.
At her fathers death, her sister would become the duchess of Saxe-Lauenburg in her own right and would pass the duchy to her children. Their father was apparently poisoned according to court gossip, the culprit allegedly Countess Werschowitz.
With his death, the Lauenburg line of the House of Ascania was extinct in the male line. However, female succession was possible by the Saxe-Lauenburgian laws. So the legal female heir to the throne, Duchess Anna Maria Franziska, and her sister Sibylle of Saxe-Lauenburg fought for the succession of the former, the elder of them. Also Julius Francis' cousin, Eleonore Charlotte of Saxe-Lauenburg-Franzhagen
Eleonore Charlotte of Saxe-Lauenburg-Franzhagen
Eleonore Charlotte of Saxe-Lauenburg-Franzhagen was a duchess of Saxe-Lauenburg by birth and, by marriage, Duchess of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Franzhagen, whose line and territorial legacy she co-founded.- Life :...
, claimed the succession. Their weakness was abused by Duke George William of the neighbouring Brunswick-Lunenburgian Principality of Lunenburg-Celle, who invaded Saxe-Lauenburg with his troops, thus inhibiting Anna Maria's ascension as Duchess regnant.
Also other monarchies claimed the succession, evoking a conflict further involving the neighbouring duchies of Mecklenburg-Schwerin and of Danish
Denmark
Denmark is a Scandinavian country in Northern Europe. The countries of Denmark and Greenland, as well as the Faroe Islands, constitute the Kingdom of Denmark . It is the southernmost of the Nordic countries, southwest of Sweden and south of Norway, and bordered to the south by Germany. Denmark...
Holstein
Holstein
Holstein is the region between the rivers Elbe and Eider. It is part of Schleswig-Holstein, the northernmost state of Germany....
, as well as the five Ascanian-ruled Principalities of Anhalt
Anhalt
Anhalt was a sovereign county in Germany, located between the Harz Mountains and the river Elbe in Middle Germany. It now forms part of the state of Saxony-Anhalt.- Dukes of Anhalt :...
, the Electorate of Saxony
Electorate of Saxony
The Electorate of Saxony , sometimes referred to as Upper Saxony, was a State of the Holy Roman Empire. It was established when Emperor Charles IV raised the Ascanian duchy of Saxe-Wittenberg to the status of an Electorate by the Golden Bull of 1356...
, which had succeeded the Saxe-Wittenbergian Ascanians in 1422, Sweden and Brandenburg. The conflict was finally settled on 9 October 1693 (Hamburger Vergleich), definitely ousting the dispossessed Anna Maria and her sister. Both sisters never gave up the claim.
Emperor Leopold I rejected Celle's succession and thus retained the Saxe-Lauenburgian exclave of Hadeln, which was out of Celle's reach, in his custody. Only in 1728 his son Emperor Charles VI enfeoffed George II Augustus with Saxe-Lauenburg, finally legitimising the de facto takeover by his grandfather in 1689 and 1693. In 1731 George II Augustus also gained Hadeln from imperial custody.
Marriage
Sibylle was due to marry Prince Eugene of SavoyPrince Eugene of Savoy
Prince Eugene of Savoy , was one of the most successful military commanders in modern European history, rising to the highest offices of state at the Imperial court in Vienna. Born in Paris to aristocratic Italian parents, Eugene grew up around the French court of King Louis XIV...
but preferred the other candidate, the older and impoverished Margrave of Baden-Baden who had lost practically everything due to the war with France.
Sibylle was engaged to Louis William, Margrave of Baden-Baden
Louis William, Margrave of Baden-Baden
Louis William, Margrave of Baden was the ruler of Baden in Germany and chief commander of the Imperial army. He was also known as Türkenlouis...
, some 20 years older than she and childless. He was also known as Türkenlouis (Turk Louis) due to his famous efforts again Louis XIV in the field and as part of the Imperial Army
Imperial Army
An Imperial Army is literally an army of any empire. However, only some empires in history and in fiction have actually referred to their armies as "The Imperial Army."-In Europe:* The Imperial Army of the Holy Roman Empire...
.
As a result, Louis William traveled to meet his young bride in Bohemia.
Margravine of Baden-Baden
He arrived in Bohemia on 10 January 1690. The couple were officially betrothed on 14 January and the actual marriage occurred on 27 March 1690, Sibylle aged 15. The couple were supposed to be married at the Schloss Raudnitz, the main residence of the Margrave, but that had been destroyed by the French. As a result, the newlyweds stayed in OstrovOstrov
Ostrov is a town and the administrative center of Ostrovsky District of Pskov Oblast, Russia, located on the Velikaya River, south of Pskov. Population: 27,000 ....
. Although a reigning prince
Fürst
Fürst is a German title of nobility, usually translated into English as Prince.The term refers to the head of a principality and is distinguished from the son of a monarch, who is referred to as Prinz...
, Louis of Baden-Baden was a retired general, twenty years older than Sibylle Auguste.
The emperor had deemed that her sister marry Prince Eugene of Savoy
Prince Eugene of Savoy
Prince Eugene of Savoy , was one of the most successful military commanders in modern European history, rising to the highest offices of state at the Imperial court in Vienna. Born in Paris to aristocratic Italian parents, Eugene grew up around the French court of King Louis XIV...
again due to his service in the name of the emperor. As such she married Philipp Wilhelm of the Palatinate, son of Philip William, Elector Palatine and Elisabeth Amalie of Hesse-Darmstadt
Landgravine Elisabeth Amalie of Hesse-Darmstadt
Elisabeth Amalie of Hesse-Darmstadt was a princess of Hesse-Darmstadt and wife of the Prince-elector of the Palatinate.-Biography:...
. When Philipp Wilhelm died in 1693, she married again to Gian Gastone de' Medici
Gian Gastone de' Medici, Grand Duke of Tuscany
Gian Gastone de' Medici was the seventh and last Medicean Grand Duke of Tuscany. He was the second son of Cosimo III de' Medici, Grand Duke of Tuscany, and Marguerite Louise d'Orléans, Princess of France...
, Grand Prince of Tuscany and son of Cosimo III de' Medici, Grand Duke of Tuscany
Cosimo III de' Medici, Grand Duke of Tuscany
Cosimo III de' Medici was the penultimate Medici Grand Duke of Tuscany. He reigned from 1670 to 1723, and was the elder son of Grand Duke Ferdinando II. Cosimo's 53-year long reign, the longest in Tuscan history, was marked by a series of ultra-reactionary laws which regulated prostitution and...
and Marguerite Louise d'Orléans
Marguerite Louise d'Orléans
Marguerite Louise d'Orléans was Grand Duchess of Tuscany, as the wife of Grand Duke Cosimo III de' Medici. Deprived of her lover, Charles V of Lorraine, and yearning for France, Marguerite Louise despised her husband and his family, whom she often quarrelled with and falsely suspected of...
(first cousin of Louis XIV).
Shortly after his marriage to Sibylle was the Margrave Louis William, however, was again engaged in the war against the Ottomans. In the battle of Slankamen
Battle of Slankamen
The Battle of Slankamen was fought near Slankamen in the Ottoman Sanjak of Syrmia on August 19, 1691 between the Ottoman Empire, and the forces of Austria and states of the Holy Roman Empire as part of the Great Turkish War.The Ottomans had suffered partial military collapse against the Austrians...
was his greatest triumph and took place in 1691.
The exchange of letters between the young Sibylle and her husband have since been lost, but Sibylle had a close relationship with her grandfather, the Christian August, Count Palatine of Sulzbach; From these letters it is obvious that Christian August adored his youngest grand daughter.
In the early years of the marriage, Sibylle was often separated from her husband and had plenty of time to cultivate her personal interests. But soon she began to worry about the management of their property, an experience from which they drew much benefit later. She wanted her future husband and moved to the side are with him from camp to camp, but this is very detrimental to their health.
Issue
The couple had nine children in all, only two of which would have further progeny, her son Ludwig Georg Simpert, Margrave of Baden-Baden (who married Princess Marie Anna zu Schwarzenberg and had issue) and her youngest daughter Johanna (who married Louis d'Orléans, grandson of Louis XIV). It is through her daughter Johanna that Sibylle is an ancestress of many modern royals.With regards to her children, Sibylle was named the unlucky; her first pregnancy ended in miscarriage; the first child lived for six months; the second four years; the third six years and the fourth three years. The fifth died after four months. In all there were nine children, who emerged from the marriage, of which only three reached the tenth year of life - a daughter and two sons. The daughter died in childbirth at age 22, the sons were 53 and 65 years old.
- Leopold William of Baden-Baden (1694 – 1695) Hereditary Prince of Baden-Baden, died in infancy;
- Charlotte of Baden-Baden (1696 – 1700), Princess of Baden-Baden, died in infancy;
- Charles Joseph of Baden-Baden(1697 – 1703) Hereditary Prince of Baden-Baden, died in infancy;
- Louis George Simpert of Baden-BadenLouis George, Margrave of Baden-BadenLouis George of Baden-Baden was the Margrave of Baden-Baden from 1707 till his death in 1761. From 1707 till 1727 his mother Sibylle of Saxe-Lauenburg was the regent of Baden-Baden. He was succeeded by his younger brother August Georg Simpert...
, (7 June 1702 – 22 October 1761) Margrave of Baden-Baden, married Maria Anna of Schwarzenberg, had issue; married again to Maria Anna of Bavaria, no issue; - Wilhelm Georg Simpert of Baden-Baden (1703 – 1709), Prince of Baden-Baden died in infancy;
- Augustus George Simpert of Baden-BadenAugustus George, Margrave of Baden-BadenAugustus George of Baden-Baden was the ruling Margrave of Baden-Baden from 1761 till his death in 1771. He succeeded his brother Louis George and was the brother of the Duchess of Orléans...
, (14 January 1706 – 21 October 1771) Margrave of Baden-Baden, married Marie Victoire d'ArenbergPrincess Marie Victoire d'ArenbergMarie Victoire d'Arenberg was a member of the House of Arenberg and later the Margravine of Baden-Baden as consort of Augustus George of Baden-Baden...
, no issue; - Wilhelmine of Baden-Baden (* 1700 in SchlackenwerthOstrov (Karlovy Vary District)Ostrov , is a town in the Carlsbad Region, Czech Republic. It is located at a foothill of the Ore Mountains about 10 km northeast of Karlovy Vary and has a population of 16,999 ....
– 1702 in SchlackenwerthOstrov (Karlovy Vary District)Ostrov , is a town in the Carlsbad Region, Czech Republic. It is located at a foothill of the Ore Mountains about 10 km northeast of Karlovy Vary and has a population of 16,999 ....
), Princess of Baden-Baden, died in infancy; - Luise of Baden-Baden (1701 in Nürnberg – 1707), died in infancy;
- Auguste Marie Johanna of Baden-Baden, Princess of Baden-Baden (10. November 1704 in Aschaffenburg – 8. August 1726 in Paris) married Louis d'Orléans, Duke of Orléans and had issue.
When her first son Charles Joseph, Hereditary Prince of Baden-Baden died in 1703, she made a first pilgrimage to Maria Einsiedeln; it was followed by another seven pilgrimages.
Regent
Her husband Louis WilliamLouis William, Margrave of Baden-Baden
Louis William, Margrave of Baden was the ruler of Baden in Germany and chief commander of the Imperial army. He was also known as Türkenlouis...
, died in January 1707 aged 51 of a war injury. He was succeeded by their eldest surviving son Louis George
Louis George, Margrave of Baden-Baden
Louis George of Baden-Baden was the Margrave of Baden-Baden from 1707 till his death in 1761. From 1707 till 1727 his mother Sibylle of Saxe-Lauenburg was the regent of Baden-Baden. He was succeeded by his younger brother August Georg Simpert...
who had been Hereditary Prince of Baden-Baden since his birth in 1702.
Louis George was aged five and as such, Sibylle was created the Regent of Baden-Baden in the name of her son. Sibylle's has been credited with the reconstruction of Baden-Baden, a state which had been ravaged greatly by the French during their various wars prior to Louis George's birth. Sibylle held a tight rein on the states finances and by the time of Louis George's majority in 1727, the state was once again flourishing and she had considerably augmented his own personal fortune. Whenever she could, she made pilgrimages to the next secular advisors, such as Leopold, Duke of Lorraine
Leopold, Duke of Lorraine
Leopold , surnamed the Good, was Duke of Lorraine and Bar from 1690 to his death.-Early life:Leopold Joseph Charles Dominique Agapet Hyacinthe was the son of Charles V, Duke of Lorraine, and his wife Eleonora Maria Josefa of Austria, a half-sister of Leopold I, Holy Roman Emperor.At the time of...
and the Elector Johann Wilhelm, Elector Palatine
Johann Wilhelm, Elector Palatine
Johann Wilhelm II, Elector Palatine was Elector Palatine , Duke Palatine of Neuburg/Danube , Duke of Jülich and Berg , and Duke of Upper Palatinate and Cham...
. She also sought spiritual support too.
During her regency, she helped reconstruct as well as create many new splendid buildings including palaces, villa's as well as places of worship.
With the Treaty of Rastatt
Treaty of Rastatt
The Treaty of Rastatt of 7 March 1714, ended hostilities between France and Austria at the end of the War of the Spanish Succession. It complemented the Treaty of Utrecht, which had, the previous year, ended hostilities with Britain and the Dutch Republic...
in 1714, she built the Einsiedeln Chapel in Rastatt
Rastatt
Rastatt is a city and baroque residence in the District of Rastatt, Baden-Württemberg, Germany. It is located on the Murg river, above its junction with the Rhine and has a population of around 50'000...
in gratitude. Louis George reached his majority on 22 October 1727 at the age of 25. Sibylle thus retired from state administration to the Schloss Ettlingen in Ettlingen
Ettlingen
Ettlingen is a town in Baden-Württemberg, Germany, about south of the city of Karlsruhe. Ettlingen is the second largest town in the district of Karlsruhe, after Bruchsal.-Geography:...
. In her dowager years, she also carried out various improvements which were finished in the year of her death in 1733.
As her only daughter was still unmarried in 1723, it was Siyblle tried to find a suitable candidate for her only daughter known as Johanna. Her mother proposed two candidates; Prince Alexander Ferdinand of Thurn and Taxis
Alexander Ferdinand, 3rd Prince of Thurn and Taxis
-Titles and styles:*21 March 1704 – 8 November 1739: His Serene Highness The Hereditary Prince of Thurn and Taxis*8 November 1739 – 17 March 1773: His Serene Highness The Prince of Thurn and Taxis-Honours:...
, son and heir of Anselm Franz of Thurn and Taxis
Anselm Franz, 2nd Prince of Thurn and Taxis
-Titles and styles:*1681–1695: His Serene Highness The Hereditary Count of Thurn and Taxis*1695 – 21 February 1714: His Serene Highness The Hereditary Prince of Thurn and Taxis...
, a wealthy German noble of the powerful Thurn and Taxis family and the Postmaster General of the Holy Roman Empire
Thurn und Taxis
The Princely House of Thurn and Taxis is a German family that was a key player in the postal services in Europe in the 16th century and is well known as owners of breweries and builders of many castles.- History :...
. The second was a French nobleman Louis d'Orléans, Duke of Orléans. Her mother preferred the French match as it would strengthen ties with a powerful neighbour who prior to Johanna's birth, had ravaged Baden-Baden. Johanna however preferred the German match due to her roots.
Johanna, however gave into her mother and agreed to the match with Louis d'Orléans and there was a proxy ceremony held at the Schloss Rastatt
Schloss Rastatt
Schloss Rastatt is a historical building in Rastatt, Germany. The palace and the Garden were built between 1700 and 1707 by the Italian architect Domenico Egidio Rossi as ordered by Margrave Louis William of Baden.-History:...
before she was married on 13 July 1724 Louis d'Orléans, the grandson of Louis XIV of France
Louis XIV of France
Louis XIV , known as Louis the Great or the Sun King , was a Bourbon monarch who ruled as King of France and Navarre. His reign, from 1643 to his death in 1715, began at the age of four and lasted seventy-two years, three months, and eighteen days...
. Chosen for, among other reasons, her family's Catholic beliefs, she brought a comparatively small dowry of 80,000 livres
French livre
The livre was the currency of France until 1795. Several different livres existed, some concurrently. The livre was the name of both units of account and coins.-Etymology:...
to the House of Orléans
House of Orleans
Orléans is the name used by several branches of the Royal House of France, all descended in the legitimate male line from the dynasty's founder, Hugh Capet. It became a tradition during France's ancien régime for the duchy of Orléans to be granted as an appanage to a younger son of the king...
.
Later years
Having retired, she made various pilgrimages and under the influence of the CardinalCardinal (Catholicism)
A cardinal is a senior ecclesiastical official, usually an ordained bishop, and ecclesiastical prince of the Catholic Church. They are collectively known as the College of Cardinals, which as a body elects a new pope. The duties of the cardinals include attending the meetings of the College and...
Damian Hugo Philipp von Schönborn-Buchheim, she led a very religious life and visited various monasteries.
Sibylle, born a Duchess of Saxe-Lauenburg, Margravine of Baden-Baden and Regent of Baden-Baden died at the Schloss Ettlingen on 10 July 1733 at the age of 58. As instructed in her will she was buried at the Schloss Rastatt with little pomp.
Architectural legacy
Siyblle had an active interest in architecture as well as property management. While living in OstrovOstrov
Ostrov is a town and the administrative center of Ostrovsky District of Pskov Oblast, Russia, located on the Velikaya River, south of Pskov. Population: 27,000 ....
with her husband in the first years of their marriage, the two carried out improvements to the Weißes Schloss (White Palace). Their chosen architect was Johann Michael Sock.
Sibylles most significant legacy was the Schloss Rastatt
Schloss Rastatt
Schloss Rastatt is a historical building in Rastatt, Germany. The palace and the Garden were built between 1700 and 1707 by the Italian architect Domenico Egidio Rossi as ordered by Margrave Louis William of Baden.-History:...
, which became the main residence of the rulers of Baden-Baden when Rastatt got promoted to city status in 1700. The residence in Rastatt is the oldest baroque
Baroque
The Baroque is a period and the style that used exaggerated motion and clear, easily interpreted detail to produce drama, tension, exuberance, and grandeur in sculpture, painting, literature, dance, and music...
residence in the German Upper Rhine
Upper Rhine
The Upper Rhine is the section of the Rhine in the Upper Rhine Plain between Basel, Switzerland and Bingen, Germany. The river is marked by Rhine-kilometers 170 to 529 ....
area and was built according to the example of the French Palace of Versailles
Palace of Versailles
The Palace of Versailles , or simply Versailles, is a royal château in Versailles in the Île-de-France region of France. In French it is the Château de Versailles....
.
She also carried out various other projects:
- 1707 : Renovations begin at the Schloss RastattSchloss RastattSchloss Rastatt is a historical building in Rastatt, Germany. The palace and the Garden were built between 1700 and 1707 by the Italian architect Domenico Egidio Rossi as ordered by Margrave Louis William of Baden.-History:...
; - 1710 : Construction on the Schloss FavoriteSchloss Favorite (Rastatt)Schloss Favorite is a castle on the outskirts of Rastatt-Förch in Baden-Württemberg, Germany. Built by Johann Michael Ludwig Rohrer between 1710 and 1730, it was a pleasure and hunting palace used by Margravine Franziska Sibylla Augusta of Sachsen-Lauenburg, widow of Louis William, Margrave of...
begins; - 1713 : Construction on the Valentin Church, KarlsruheKarlsruheThe City of Karlsruhe is a city in the southwest of Germany, in the state of Baden-Württemberg, located near the French-German border.Karlsruhe was founded in 1715 as Karlsruhe Palace, when Germany was a series of principalities and city states...
begins; - 1714 : Reconstruction in Rastatt begins;
- 1715 : Construction on the Einsiedeln Chapel begins;
- 1717 : Construction on the Home Office, OffenburgOffenburgOffenburg is a city located in the state of Baden-Württemberg, Germany. With about 60,000 inhabitants, it is the largest city and the capital of the Ortenaukreis.Offenburg also houses University of Applied Sciences Offenburg...
begins; - 1717 : Construction on the FremersbergFremersbergFremersberg is a mountain of Baden-Württemberg, Germany....
hunting lodge begins; - 1718 : Hermitage Museum in the Park of Schloss FavoriteSchloss FavoriteSchloss Favorite may refer to:* Schloss Favorite , a castle built in Rastatt-Förch, Germany* Favorite Ludwigsburg, a baroque pleasure and hunting lodge in Ludwigsburg, Germany...
is built; - 1719 : Holy Cross Church (Castle Church) in Rastatt is built;
- 1721 : Loretokapelle is built;
- 1721 : Extension of the JagdschlossJagdschlossA Jagdschloss is a palace or a castle in a zoo or a hunting zone such as a forest, field or lake and served primarily as the accommodation for a ruler, and the court, on the occasion of the hunt in the area....
Scheibenhardt in BulachBülachBülach is a municipality in Switzerland in the canton of Zurich, located in the district of the same name, and belongs to the Glatt Valley .-History:Bülach is first mentioned in 811 as Pulacha...
; - 1722 : Pagodenburg is built in the gardens of Rastatt;
- 1723 : Exentsions on the Schloss Bruchsal
- 1724 : Hermitage in WaghäuselWaghäuselWaghäusel is a German town located in the Rhine valley in the south-western state of Baden-Württemberg. Waghäusel consists of 3 townships which are the core city , Kirrlach , and Wiesental [as of March 31, 2006]...
is built; - 1724 : Redesigning of the Schloss Kislau;
- 1724 : Various projects at ScheibenhardtScheibenhardtScheibenhardt is a German municipality located in the state of Rhineland-Palatinate. In 2004 it had 714 inhabitants. Located on the French border, it is continuous with the French village of Scheibenhard, separated only by a small creek called the Lauter....
; - 1728 : Expansion of the Schloss Ettlingen;
- 1731 : ChapelChapelA chapel is a building used by Christians as a place of fellowship and worship. It may be part of a larger structure or complex, such as a church, college, hospital, palace, prison or funeral home, located on board a military or commercial ship, or it may be an entirely free-standing building,...
in the Schloss Ettlinger; - 1730 : Reconstruction of the nave of the church of St. Martin in Ettlingen.
Ancestry
Titles and styles
- 21 January 1675 – 27 March 1690 Her Serene Highness Duchess Sibylle of Saxe-Lauenburg
- 27 March 1690 – 4 January 1707 Her Serene Highness the Margravine of Baden-Baden
- 4 January 1707 – 22 October 1727 Her Serene Highness the Regent of Baden-Baden
- 22 October 1727 – 10 July 1733 Her Serene Highness the Dowager Margravine of Baden-Baden
Sources
- Otto Flake: Türkenlouis. Gemälde einer Zeit. 2. Auflage. Fischer, Frankfurt am Main 1988, ISBN 3-596-25788-3
- Saskia Esser: Leben und Werk der Markgräfin Franziska Sibylla Augusta. Ausstellungskatalog, Stadt Rastatt, Rastatt 1983, ISBN 3-923082-01-0
- Clemens Jöckle: Maria-Einsiedeln-Kapelle Rastatt. Schnell & Steiner, Regensburg 1999, ISBN 3-7954-5971-0
- Hans-Georg Kaack: Markgräfin Sibylla Augusta. Die große badische Fürstin der. Barockzeit. Stadler, Konstanz 1983, ISBN 3-7977-0097-0
- Anna Maria Renner: Sybilla Augusta. Markgräfin von Baden. Die Geschichte eines denkwürdigen Lebens. 4. Auflage. Müller, Karlsruhe 1981, ISBN 3-7880-9665-9
- Gerlinde Vetter: Zwischen Glanz und Frömmigkeit. Der Hof der badischen Markgräfin Sibylla Augusta. Katz, Gernsbach 2006, ISBN 3-938047-19-4
- Rudolf Sillib: Schloß Favorite und die Eremitagen der Markgräfin Franziska Sibylla Augusta von Baden-Baden. Neujahrsblätter der Badischen Historischen Kommission, Neue Folge 17. Carl Winters Universitätsbuchhandlung, Heidelberg 1914.