Dorothea von Medem
Encyclopedia
Dorothea von Medem (3 February 1761 – 20 August 1821) was born a Gräf
in (Countess) of the noble
German Baltic Medem family and later became Duchess of Courland
(a Baltic
region). Popularly known as Dorothea of Courland after her marriage to Peter von Biron
, the last Duke of Courland, she hosted an aristocratic
salon
in Berlin
and performed various diplomatic duties on behalf of her estranged husband.
in Mežotne
, now Latvia
, to Friedrich von Medem, a Reichsgraf
from the old Courland nobility and a general-poruchik
of the Russian Empire
, and his second wife, Louise Charlotte von Manteuffel. Her father, a descendant of Konrad von Mandern was himself awarded the Order of St. Alexander Nevsky
in 1774 for his help in preparing the Treaty of Küçük Kaynarca
. He owned many estates, including the Villa Medem in Jelgava
. Her elder half sister from her father's previous marriage was the poet Elisa von der Recke
.
On November 6, 1779, eighteen-year-old Dorothea became the third wife of the 37-year-old, childless Duke Peter von Biron
, son of the famous Ernst Johann von Biron
. The couple had six children, two of whom died in infancy. The four surviving children were all daughters; however, the youngest one, Dorothea, was probably illegitimate.
Dorothea was welcomed into the highest social circles thanks to her new status as duchess as well as her beauty. Because her husband was preoccupied with political difficulties at home involving his overlord
the King of Poland and the Courland nobility, he frequently sent her on diplomatic missions to Warsaw
, lasting months at a time, and to Berlin
, Karlovy Vary
, and Saint Petersburg
for shorter periods. During these long absences Dorothea became alienated from her husband and had numerous love affairs with other men, including Gustaf Mauritz Armfelt
, Talleyrand, and the Polish nobleman Alexander Batowski, who fathered her fourth daughter, born in 1793. After the year she gave birth to her illegitimate daughter, also named Dorothea (whom her husband nevertheless acknowledged as his own), the Duchess moved permanently to the Palais Kurland in Berlin, where she held an aristocratic salon
.
In 1794 she acquired the Gutsherrschaft Löbichau
in Altenburgischen
and spent her summers at the newly-built Schloss there. Inviting poets, philosophers, relatives and friends to Löbichau, it became known as the Muse
nhof der Herzogin von Kurland. Her sister Elisa von der Recke, who would later be linked with Christoph August Tiedge
, came to Löbichau to live and Tsar Alexander I of Russia
, Frederick William III of Prussia
, Napoleon I of France
, Talleyrand, Metternich, Goethe
, Schiller
and other personalities of the time were the duchess's personal friends. In 1801, she received a proposal from Prince Frederick Adolf of Sweden
.
Upon her youngest daughter Dorothea's marriage to Talleyrand's nephew, Edmond de Talleyrand-Périgord
, in 1809, the duchess moved to Paris, having an intense relationship with Talleyrand and influenced him to turn against Napoleon. In 1814 she traveled to the Congress of Vienna
to confront him about his love affair with her daughter Dorothea. A few years after her death at Löbichau in 1821, the Duchess's body was moved from her place of death to the family vault at Sagan
where her husband had been buried in 1800.
:
With Alexander Batowski:
Graf
Graf is a historical German noble title equal in rank to a count or a British earl...
in (Countess) of the noble
Baltic nobility
The Baltic nobility was the privileged social class in the territories of today's Estonia and Latvia. It existed continuously since the medieval foundation of Terra Mariana...
German Baltic Medem family and later became Duchess of Courland
Duchess of Courland
- House of Kettler, 1561-1737 :- House of Biron, 1737-1740 :* Council of the Duke, 1740–58- House of Biron, 1737-1740 :...
(a Baltic
Baltic region
The terms Baltic region, Baltic Rim countries, and Baltic Rim refer to slightly different combinations of countries in the general area surrounding the Baltic Sea.- Etymology :...
region). Popularly known as Dorothea of Courland after her marriage to Peter von Biron
Peter von Biron
Peter von Biron was the last Duke of Courland from 1769 to 1795.Peter was born in Jelgava as the son of Ernst Johann von Biron, future Duke of Courland, and his wife Benigna von Trotha. When 16 years old, he was forced to follow his family into the Siberian exile. In 1769, Peter was given the...
, the last Duke of Courland, she hosted an aristocratic
Aristocracy
Aristocracy , is a form of government in which a few elite citizens rule. The term derives from the Greek aristokratia, meaning "rule of the best". In origin in Ancient Greece, it was conceived of as rule by the best qualified citizens, and contrasted with monarchy...
salon
Salon (gathering)
A salon is a gathering of people under the roof of an inspiring host, held partly to amuse one another and partly to refine taste and increase their knowledge of the participants through conversation. These gatherings often consciously followed Horace's definition of the aims of poetry, "either to...
in Berlin
Berlin
Berlin is the capital city of Germany and is one of the 16 states of Germany. With a population of 3.45 million people, Berlin is Germany's largest city. It is the second most populous city proper and the seventh most populous urban area in the European Union...
and performed various diplomatic duties on behalf of her estranged husband.
Life
Anna Charlotte Dorothea was born at Mežotne PalaceMežotne Palace
Mežotne Palace is a palace in the historical region of Zemgale, in Latvia, Bauska region .Built in Classicism style during 1798-1802 for a teacher and governess of grandchildren of Russian Empress Catherine II - Charlotte von Lieven...
in Mežotne
Mežotne
Mežotne is a town in Latvia 10 km west of Bauska and 40 km south of the capital of Latvia, Riga. It lies in the historical region of Zemgale on the left bank of the Lielupe river near the Lithuanian border.- Mežotne Palace :...
, now Latvia
Latvia
Latvia , officially the Republic of Latvia , is a country in the Baltic region of Northern Europe. It is bordered to the north by Estonia , to the south by Lithuania , to the east by the Russian Federation , to the southeast by Belarus and shares maritime borders to the west with Sweden...
, to Friedrich von Medem, a Reichsgraf
Graf
Graf is a historical German noble title equal in rank to a count or a British earl...
from the old Courland nobility and a general-poruchik
Poruchik
Poruchik was a military rank in several Slavic countries, such as the Russian Empire and the Republic of Poland, equivalent to Lieutenant. "Poruchik" means "messenger", "officer for orders". This is a Slavic copy of the term "Lieutenant" .In Russia this rank was first introduced in Strelets New...
of the Russian Empire
Russian Empire
The Russian Empire was a state that existed from 1721 until the Russian Revolution of 1917. It was the successor to the Tsardom of Russia and the predecessor of the Soviet Union...
, and his second wife, Louise Charlotte von Manteuffel. Her father, a descendant of Konrad von Mandern was himself awarded the Order of St. Alexander Nevsky
Order of St. Alexander Nevsky
The Imperial Order of St. Alexander Nevsky was an order of chivalry of the Russian Empire.-History:The introduction of the Imperial Order of St. Alexander Nevsky was planned by Emperor Peter I of Russia...
in 1774 for his help in preparing the Treaty of Küçük Kaynarca
Treaty of Kucuk Kaynarca
The Treaty of Küçük Kaynarca was signed on 21 July 1774, in Küçük Kaynarca , Dobruja between the Russian Empire and the Ottoman Empire after the Ottoman Empire was defeated in the...
. He owned many estates, including the Villa Medem in Jelgava
Jelgava
-Sports:The city's main football team, FK Jelgava, plays in the Latvian Higher League and won the 2009/2010 Latvian Football Cup.- Notable people :*August Johann Gottfried Bielenstein - linguist, folklorist, ethnographer...
. Her elder half sister from her father's previous marriage was the poet Elisa von der Recke
Elisa von der Recke
Elisa von der Recke was a Baltic German writer and poet.-Family:Elisa von der Recke was born in Schönberg, Skaistkalne parish, Courland, the daughter of Reichsgraf Friedrich von Medem and his wife, Louise Dorothea von Korff. Her younger half-sister was Dorothea von Medem, for whom she carried out...
.
Peter von Biron
Peter von Biron was the last Duke of Courland from 1769 to 1795.Peter was born in Jelgava as the son of Ernst Johann von Biron, future Duke of Courland, and his wife Benigna von Trotha. When 16 years old, he was forced to follow his family into the Siberian exile. In 1769, Peter was given the...
, son of the famous 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...
. The couple had six children, two of whom died in infancy. The four surviving children were all daughters; however, the youngest one, Dorothea, was probably illegitimate.
Dorothea was welcomed into the highest social circles thanks to her new status as duchess as well as her beauty. Because her husband was preoccupied with political difficulties at home involving his overlord
Seignory
In English law, Seignory or seigniory , the lordship remaining to a grantor after the grant of an estate in fee simple....
the King of Poland and the Courland nobility, he frequently sent her on diplomatic missions to Warsaw
Warsaw
Warsaw is the capital and largest city of Poland. It is located on the Vistula River, roughly from the Baltic Sea and from the Carpathian Mountains. Its population in 2010 was estimated at 1,716,855 residents with a greater metropolitan area of 2,631,902 residents, making Warsaw the 10th most...
, lasting months at a time, and to Berlin
Berlin
Berlin is the capital city of Germany and is one of the 16 states of Germany. With a population of 3.45 million people, Berlin is Germany's largest city. It is the second most populous city proper and the seventh most populous urban area in the European Union...
, Karlovy Vary
Karlovy Vary
Karlovy Vary is a spa city situated in western Bohemia, Czech Republic, on the confluence of the rivers Ohře and Teplá, approximately west of Prague . It is named after King of Bohemia and Holy Roman Emperor Charles IV, who founded the city in 1370...
, and Saint Petersburg
Saint Petersburg
Saint Petersburg is a city and a federal subject of Russia located on the Neva River at the head of the Gulf of Finland on the Baltic Sea...
for shorter periods. During these long absences Dorothea became alienated from her husband and had numerous love affairs with other men, including Gustaf Mauritz Armfelt
Gustaf Mauritz Armfelt
Count Gustaf Mauritz Armfelt was a Finnish and Swedish courtier and diplomat. In Finland, he is considered one of the great Finnish statesmen. Born in Tarvasjoki, Finland, he was the great grandson of Charles XII of Sweden's general, Carl Gustaf Armfeldt...
, Talleyrand, and the Polish nobleman Alexander Batowski, who fathered her fourth daughter, born in 1793. After the year she gave birth to her illegitimate daughter, also named Dorothea (whom her husband nevertheless acknowledged as his own), the Duchess moved permanently to the Palais Kurland in Berlin, where she held an aristocratic salon
Salon (gathering)
A salon is a gathering of people under the roof of an inspiring host, held partly to amuse one another and partly to refine taste and increase their knowledge of the participants through conversation. These gatherings often consciously followed Horace's definition of the aims of poetry, "either to...
.
In 1794 she acquired the Gutsherrschaft Löbichau
Löbichau
Löbichau is a municipality in the district Altenburger Land, in Thuringia, Germany....
in Altenburgischen
Altenburger Land
Altenburger Land is a district in Thuringia, Germany. It is bounded by the district of Greiz, the Burgenlandkreis , and the districts Leipziger Land, Mittweida, Chemnitzer Land, Zwickauer Land in Saxony.- History :...
and spent her summers at the newly-built Schloss there. Inviting poets, philosophers, relatives and friends to Löbichau, it became known as the Muse
Muse
The Muses in Greek mythology, poetry, and literature, are the goddesses who inspire the creation of literature and the arts. They were considered the source of the knowledge, related orally for centuries in the ancient culture, that was contained in poetic lyrics and myths...
nhof der Herzogin von Kurland. Her sister Elisa von der Recke, who would later be linked with Christoph August Tiedge
Christoph August Tiedge
Christoph August Tiedge was a German poet.-Biography:Tiedge was the eldest son of the rector of the Gelehrten Stadtschule in Gardelegen and his wife, and studied law in Halle, Saxony-Anhalt. In 1788 he went to Halberstadt, acting for four years as secretary to the Domherr von Steder...
, came to Löbichau to live and Tsar Alexander I of Russia
Alexander I of Russia
Alexander I of Russia , served as Emperor of Russia from 23 March 1801 to 1 December 1825 and the first Russian King of Poland from 1815 to 1825. He was also the first Russian Grand Duke of Finland and Lithuania....
, Frederick William III of Prussia
Frederick William III of Prussia
Frederick 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:...
, Napoleon I of France
Napoleon I of France
Napoleon Bonaparte was a French military and political leader during the latter stages of the French Revolution.As Napoleon I, he was Emperor of the French from 1804 to 1815...
, Talleyrand, Metternich, Goethe
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe was a German writer, pictorial artist, biologist, theoretical physicist, and polymath. He is considered the supreme genius of modern German literature. His works span the fields of poetry, drama, prose, philosophy, and science. His Faust has been called the greatest long...
, Schiller
Friedrich Schiller
Johann Christoph Friedrich von Schiller was a German poet, philosopher, historian, and playwright. During the last seventeen years of his life , Schiller struck up a productive, if complicated, friendship with already famous and influential Johann Wolfgang von Goethe...
and other personalities of the time were the duchess's personal friends. In 1801, she received a proposal from Prince Frederick Adolf of Sweden
Prince Frederick Adolf of Sweden
Prince Fredrick Adolf of Sweden , was a Swedish Prince, youngest son of King Adolf Frederick of Sweden and Louisa Ulrika of Prussia, a sister Frederick the Great, King of Prussia...
.
Upon her youngest daughter Dorothea's marriage to Talleyrand's nephew, Edmond de Talleyrand-Périgord
Edmond de Talleyrand-Périgord
Edmond de Talleyrand-Périgord, 2nd Duke of Talleyrand, 2nd Duke of Dino , , was a French general of the Napoleonic Wars. As the son of Archambaud de Talleyrand-Périgord and Madeleine Olivier de Senozan de Viriville , he was the nephew of the minister Talleyrand...
, in 1809, the duchess moved to Paris, having an intense relationship with Talleyrand and influenced him to turn against Napoleon. In 1814 she traveled to 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,...
to confront him about his love affair with her daughter Dorothea. A few years after her death at Löbichau in 1821, the Duchess's body was moved from her place of death to the family vault at Sagan
Zagan
Zagan may refer to:*Zagan - a demon in the Ars Goetia*Żagań - a town in west Poland...
where her husband had been buried in 1800.
Issue
With Peter von BironPeter von Biron
Peter von Biron was the last Duke of Courland from 1769 to 1795.Peter was born in Jelgava as the son of Ernst Johann von Biron, future Duke of Courland, and his wife Benigna von Trotha. When 16 years old, he was forced to follow his family into the Siberian exile. In 1769, Peter was given the...
:
- WilhelmineWilhelmine von SaganKatharina Friederike Wilhelmine Benigna, Princess of Courland, Duchess of Sagan was a German noble from the Ruling family of Courland and Semigallia and a sovereign Duchess of Sagan...
, Duchess of SaganZaganZagan may refer to:*Zagan - a demon in the Ars Goetia*Żagań - a town in west Poland...
, mistress of Klemens Wenzel, Prince von Metternich - PaulineLuise Pauline Maria BironLuise Pauline Maria Biron, Princess of Courland, Duchess of Sagan was a Princess of Courland by birth and through her marriage to Friedrich Hermann Otto, Prince of Hohenzollern-Hechingen, Pauline was Princess consort of Hohenzollern-Hechingen...
, Duchess of SaganZaganZagan may refer to:*Zagan - a demon in the Ars Goetia*Żagań - a town in west Poland...
and Hohenzollern-HechingenHohenzollern-HechingenHohenzollern-Hechingen was a county and principality in southwestern Germany. Its rulers belonged to a branch of the senior Swabian branch of the Hohenzollern dynasty.-History:... - Johanna Katharina, Duchess of Acerenza
- Peter, died aged three (February 23, 1787 – March 25, 1790)
- Charlotte, died aged three as well
With Alexander Batowski:
- DorotheaDorothea von BironDorothea von Biron, Princess of Courland, self-styled Dorothée de Courlande , was a Baltic German noblewoman. Her mother was Dorothea von Medem, Duchess of Courland, and although her mother's husband, Duke Peter von Biron, acknowledged her as his own, her true father was a Polish statesman...
, protege (and alleged mistress) of Talleyrand and wife of his nephew the 2nd Duke of TalleyrandEdmond de Talleyrand-PérigordEdmond de Talleyrand-Périgord, 2nd Duke of Talleyrand, 2nd Duke of Dino , , was a French general of the Napoleonic Wars. As the son of Archambaud de Talleyrand-Périgord and Madeleine Olivier de Senozan de Viriville , he was the nephew of the minister Talleyrand...
External links
- http://www.burg-posterstein.de/startframes/historietopframe.htm