Ursula Katharina of Altenbockum
Encyclopedia
Ursula Katharina of Altenbockum Lubomirska , later Princess of Teschen, was a Polish-German noblewoman and mistress
of Augustus the Strong, King of Poland and Elector of Saxony.
to Poland
.
In 1695, fifteen-year-old Ursula married the Polish Kronoberkaemmerer Prince Jerzy Dominik Lubomirski
. At that time, the Lubomirski family was ranked among the most influential families of Poland. They maintained relations with the Primate-Cardinal Michał Stefan Radziejowski, archbishop of Gniezno
, who, after the death of the Polish King John III Sobieski
, was chosen by the new king as his representative. Nevertheless, the Pope soon took the highly unusual step of dissolving this "lucky little marriage."
In 1700 she became Augustus's official Mistress (Mätresse), replacing Countess Maximiliane Hiserle of Chodau
, known in history as the Countess Esterle. Augustus the Strong sent Ursula to Saxony
and presented her to the Dresden
court. The courtier
s were impressed by the beautiful, charming, and high-spirited Princess. On 21 August 1704, she gave birth a son, Johann Georg
, later the Chevalier de Saxe, who was named after the father of the King-Elector.
Only five days after her son's birth, on 26 August 1704, Ursula was created Reichsfürstin (“Princess of the Empire” or “Imperial Princess”) of Teschen
by Emperor Leopold I
. This title was only honorific
, because only national Princes had seats and votes in the Reichstag
.
, later Countess of Cosel, replaced her as official mistress. Humiliated by the King and outlawed from the Dresden Hof (court), Ursula retired to a countryseat in Hoyerswerda
. Augustus the Strong loaned her 250,000 Imperial talers (Reichstaler) for the land, and later he gave her the complete property rights. Then, Ursula moved to her Silesia
n residence in Breslau.
Years later, after the King had banished the Countess of Cosel, Ursula returned to Dresden, where she occupied a respected position in the Hof. The fall of Augustus II's Lord Chancellor and Lord Chamberlain (Großkanzler) Wolf Dietrich von Beichlingen was at that time attributed to her.
Meanwhile, Frederick Ludwig of Württemberg-Winnental
, who was ten years her junior, tried to win her affection. Finally, she accepted him, and they married secretly on 22 October 1722. On 19 September 1734, after twelve years of marriage, Frederick Ludwig was killed during the Battle of Guastalla
. In accordance with the marriage agreement and despite the House of Württemberg's opposition, the Imperial Princess used the name and coat of arms of her deceased husband until her own death.
When the King-Elector died on 1733, Ursula was banished from the Hof (court). Her rule over Hoyerswerda ended in 1737; for compensation, the new Saxon Elector and King August III, gave her an annuity of 18,000 Reichstalern until her death and 6,000 for her son, the Chevalier de Saxe.
Ursula died, aged 62, in Dresden
. Her mortal remains were buried in the Jesuit Church (Jesuitenkirche) to Leitmeritz (Böhmen).
Mistress (lover)
A mistress is a long-term female lover and companion who is not married to her partner; the term is used especially when her partner is married. The relationship generally is stable and at least semi-permanent; however, the couple does not live together openly. Also the relationship is usually,...
of Augustus the Strong, King of Poland and Elector of Saxony.
Early life
She was the youngest daughter of the Truchsess (Seneschal) Johann Heinrich of Altenbockum by his wife, Konstancja Tekla Branicka, who had immigrated from WestphaliaWestphalia
Westphalia is a region in Germany, centred on the cities of Arnsberg, Bielefeld, Dortmund, Minden and Münster.Westphalia is roughly the region between the rivers Rhine and Weser, located north and south of the Ruhr River. No exact definition of borders can be given, because the name "Westphalia"...
to Poland
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
.
In 1695, fifteen-year-old Ursula married the Polish Kronoberkaemmerer Prince Jerzy Dominik Lubomirski
Jerzy Dominik Lubomirski
Prince Jerzy Dominik Lubomirski was a Polish noble .He was the son of Grand Marshal and Hetman Jerzy Sebastian Lubomirski and Barbara Tarło. In 1695 he married Urszula of Altenbockum. The marriage was dissolved by the Pope and c...
. At that time, the Lubomirski family was ranked among the most influential families of Poland. They maintained relations with the Primate-Cardinal Michał Stefan Radziejowski, archbishop of Gniezno
Gniezno
Gniezno is a city in central-western Poland, some 50 km east of Poznań, inhabited by about 70,000 people. One of the Piasts' chief cities, it was mentioned by 10th century A.D. sources as the capital of Piast Poland however the first capital of Piast realm was most likely Giecz built around...
, who, after the death of the Polish King John III Sobieski
John III Sobieski
John III Sobieski was one of the most notable monarchs of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth, from 1674 until his death King of Poland and Grand Duke of Lithuania. Sobieski's 22-year-reign was marked by a period of the Commonwealth's stabilization, much needed after the turmoil of the Deluge and...
, was chosen by the new king as his representative. Nevertheless, the Pope soon took the highly unusual step of dissolving this "lucky little marriage."
Official mistress
Around the end of the century, Augustus the Strong, King of Poland and Elector of Saxony, had met the vivacious and beautiful Princess Lubomirska, and after the dissolution of her marriage, he used Ursula's relations with the Cardinal-Primate to meet her.In 1700 she became Augustus's official Mistress (Mätresse), replacing Countess Maximiliane Hiserle of Chodau
Anna Aloysia Maximiliane von Lamberg
Anna Aloysia Maximiliane Louise von Lamberg was an Austrian countess who was successively the mistress of Augustus II the Strong, King of Poland, and Aleksander Benedykt Sobieski...
, known in history as the Countess Esterle. Augustus the Strong sent Ursula to Saxony
Saxony
The Free State of Saxony is a landlocked state of Germany, contingent with Brandenburg, Saxony Anhalt, Thuringia, Bavaria, the Czech Republic and Poland. It is the tenth-largest German state in area, with of Germany's sixteen states....
and presented her to the Dresden
Dresden
Dresden is the capital city of the Free State of Saxony in Germany. It is situated in a valley on the River Elbe, near the Czech border. The Dresden conurbation is part of the Saxon Triangle metropolitan area....
court. The courtier
Courtier
A courtier is a person who is often in attendance at the court of a king or other royal personage. Historically the court was the centre of government as well as the residence of the monarch, and social and political life were often completely mixed together...
s were impressed by the beautiful, charming, and high-spirited Princess. On 21 August 1704, she gave birth a son, Johann Georg
Johann Georg, Chevalier de Saxe
Johann Georg, Chevalier de Saxe , also called Johann Georg of Saxony, was a Saxon Field Marshal and Governor of Dresden....
, later the Chevalier de Saxe, who was named after the father of the King-Elector.
Only five days after her son's birth, on 26 August 1704, Ursula was created Reichsfürstin (“Princess of the Empire” or “Imperial Princess”) of Teschen
Cieszyn
Cieszyn is a border-town and the seat of Cieszyn County, Silesian Voivodeship, southern Poland. It has 36,109 inhabitants . Cieszyn lies on the Olza River, a tributary of the Oder river, opposite Český Těšín....
by Emperor Leopold I
Leopold I, Holy Roman Emperor
| style="float:right;" | Leopold I was a Holy Roman Emperor, King of Hungary and King of Bohemia. A member of the Habsburg family, he was the second son of Emperor Ferdinand III and his first wife, Maria Anna of Spain. His maternal grandparents were Philip III of Spain and Margaret of Austria...
. This title was only honorific
Honorific title
Honorific title may refer to one of the following:*Honorific, a form of addressing.*Title of honor, a title which is an award....
, because only national Princes had seats and votes in the Reichstag
Reichstag (Holy Roman Empire)
The Imperial Diet was the Diet, or general assembly, of the Imperial Estates of the Holy Roman Empire.During the period of the Empire, which lasted formally until 1806, the Diet was not a parliament in today's sense; instead, it was an assembly of the various estates of the realm...
.
Life after Augustus
However, later that year, Ursula's relationship with the King ended. In 1705, the Countess Anna Constantia of HoymAnna Constantia of Brockdorff
Anna Constantia von Brockdorff , later the Countess of Cosel, was a German noblewoman and mistress of Augustus the Strong, King of Poland and Elector of Saxony...
, later Countess of Cosel, replaced her as official mistress. Humiliated by the King and outlawed from the Dresden Hof (court), Ursula retired to a countryseat in Hoyerswerda
Hoyerswerda
Hoyerswerda is the largest city in the district of Bautzen in the German state of Saxony. It is located in Lusatia, a region where many people speak the Sorbian languages in addition to German.-Geography:...
. Augustus the Strong loaned her 250,000 Imperial talers (Reichstaler) for the land, and later he gave her the complete property rights. Then, Ursula moved to her Silesia
Silesia
Silesia is a historical region of Central Europe located mostly in Poland, with smaller parts also in the Czech Republic, and Germany.Silesia is rich in mineral and natural resources, and includes several important industrial areas. Silesia's largest city and historical capital is Wrocław...
n residence in Breslau.
Years later, after the King had banished the Countess of Cosel, Ursula returned to Dresden, where she occupied a respected position in the Hof. The fall of Augustus II's Lord Chancellor and Lord Chamberlain (Großkanzler) Wolf Dietrich von Beichlingen was at that time attributed to her.
Meanwhile, Frederick Ludwig of Württemberg-Winnental
Frederick Louis of Württemberg-Winnental
Frederick Louis of Württemberg-Winnental was a German army commander of the eighteenth century....
, who was ten years her junior, tried to win her affection. Finally, she accepted him, and they married secretly on 22 October 1722. On 19 September 1734, after twelve years of marriage, Frederick Ludwig was killed during the Battle of Guastalla
Battle of Guastalla
The Battle of Guastalla or Battle of Luzzara was a battle fought on September 19, 1734, between Franco-Sardinian and Austrian troops as part of the War of Polish Succession.-Background:...
. In accordance with the marriage agreement and despite the House of Württemberg's opposition, the Imperial Princess used the name and coat of arms of her deceased husband until her own death.
When the King-Elector died on 1733, Ursula was banished from the Hof (court). Her rule over Hoyerswerda ended in 1737; for compensation, the new Saxon Elector and King August III, gave her an annuity of 18,000 Reichstalern until her death and 6,000 for her son, the Chevalier de Saxe.
Ursula died, aged 62, in Dresden
Dresden
Dresden is the capital city of the Free State of Saxony in Germany. It is situated in a valley on the River Elbe, near the Czech border. The Dresden conurbation is part of the Saxon Triangle metropolitan area....
. Her mortal remains were buried in the Jesuit Church (Jesuitenkirche) to Leitmeritz (Böhmen).