Ernst Magnus Dönhoff
Encyclopedia
Magnus Ernst or Ernst Magnus Dönhoff (or Denhoff) (1581 - 1642 Elbląg
) was a Baltic German
who served the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth
in Livonia
and the Duchy of Prussia.
Always referred to as Magnus Ernst by Marion Gräfin Dönhoff, who wrote an extensive genealogy and history study of all the family branches, Magnus Ernst Dönhoff was the founder of the eastern Prussian
line of the Dönhoff family. He came from Livonia and for services to George William, Elector of Brandenburg
, he established his residence in Waldau near Königsberg
. He was the brother of Gerhard Dönhoff and Kaspar von Dönhoff. He was married to Countess Katharina zu Dohna; they had four children. Three of their sons were born at Waldau.
Dönhoff was Castellan of Pärnu (Parnawa)
from 1635, voivode of Parnawa from 1640, starost of Tartu (Derpsk)
, Telšiai (Telszew)
and of Waldau in the Pregel valley in the Duchy of Prussia.
Dönhoff belonged to the commission which from 1625 worked for a peace agreement between Sweden and Poland. He was also instrumental in the negotiations at the peace of Altmark and at Sztumska Wieś
. Dönhoff became Count (Reichsgraf) of the Holy Roman Empire
since 1633. His son Friedrich Graf Dönhoff, born in Waldau in 1639, took up service for the Brandenburg electoral court.
Elblag
Elbląg is a city in northern Poland with 127,892 inhabitants . It is the capital of Elbląg County and has been assigned to the Warmian-Masurian Voivodeship since 1999. Before then it was the capital of Elbląg Voivodeship and a county seat in Gdańsk Voivodeship...
) was a Baltic German
Baltic German
The Baltic Germans were mostly ethnically German inhabitants of the eastern shore of the Baltic Sea, which today form the countries of Estonia and Latvia. The Baltic German population never made up more than 10% of the total. They formed the social, commercial, political and cultural élite in...
who served the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth
Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth
The Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth was a dualistic state of Poland and Lithuania ruled by a common monarch. It was the largest and one of the most populous countries of 16th- and 17th‑century Europe with some and a multi-ethnic population of 11 million at its peak in the early 17th century...
in Livonia
Livonia
Livonia is a historic region along the eastern shores of the Baltic Sea. It was once the land of the Finnic Livonians inhabiting the principal ancient Livonian County Metsepole with its center at Turaida...
and the Duchy of Prussia.
Always referred to as Magnus Ernst by Marion Gräfin Dönhoff, who wrote an extensive genealogy and history study of all the family branches, Magnus Ernst Dönhoff was the founder of the eastern Prussian
East Prussia
East Prussia is the main part of the region of Prussia along the southeastern Baltic Coast from the 13th century to the end of World War II in May 1945. From 1772–1829 and 1878–1945, the Province of East Prussia was part of the German state of Prussia. The capital city was Königsberg.East Prussia...
line of the Dönhoff family. He came from Livonia and for services to George William, Elector of Brandenburg
George William, Elector of Brandenburg
George William of Brandenburg , of the Hohenzollern dynasty, was margrave and elector of Brandenburg and duke of Prussia from 1619 until his death. His reign was marked by ineffective governance during the Thirty Years' War...
, he established his residence in Waldau near Königsberg
Königsberg
Königsberg was the capital of East Prussia from the Late Middle Ages until 1945 as well as the northernmost and easternmost German city with 286,666 inhabitants . Due to the multicultural society in and around the city, there are several local names for it...
. He was the brother of Gerhard Dönhoff and Kaspar von Dönhoff. He was married to Countess Katharina zu Dohna; they had four children. Three of their sons were born at Waldau.
Dönhoff was Castellan of Pärnu (Parnawa)
Pärnu
Pärnu is a city in southwestern Estonia on the coast of Pärnu Bay, an inlet of the Gulf of Riga in the Baltic Sea. It is a popular summer vacation resort with many hotels, restaurants, and large beaches. The Pärnu River flows through the city and drains into the Gulf of Riga...
from 1635, voivode of Parnawa from 1640, starost of Tartu (Derpsk)
Tartu
Tartu is the second largest city of Estonia. In contrast to Estonia's political and financial capital Tallinn, Tartu is often considered the intellectual and cultural hub, especially since it is home to Estonia's oldest and most renowned university. Situated 186 km southeast of Tallinn, the...
, Telšiai (Telszew)
Telšiai
Telšiai , is a city in Lithuania with about 35,000 inhabitants. It is the capital of Telšiai County and Samogitia region, and it is located on Lake Mastis.-Names:...
and of Waldau in the Pregel valley in the Duchy of Prussia.
Dönhoff belonged to the commission which from 1625 worked for a peace agreement between Sweden and Poland. He was also instrumental in the negotiations at the peace of Altmark and at Sztumska Wieś
Treaty of Sztumska Wies
The Treaty of Stuhmsdorf or Sztumska Wieś was a treaty signed on 12 September 1635 between the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth and Sweden in the village of Stuhmsdorf , Royal Prussia, just south of Stuhm ....
. Dönhoff became Count (Reichsgraf) of the Holy Roman Empire
Holy Roman Empire
The Holy Roman Empire was a realm that existed from 962 to 1806 in Central Europe.It was ruled by the Holy Roman Emperor. Its character changed during the Middle Ages and the Early Modern period, when the power of the emperor gradually weakened in favour of the princes...
since 1633. His son Friedrich Graf Dönhoff, born in Waldau in 1639, took up service for the Brandenburg electoral court.