Princess Maria Augusta of Thurn and Taxis
Encyclopedia
Princess Maria Augusta Anna of Thurn and Taxis (11 August 1706 – 1 February 1756) was a Regent of Württemberg. She was a member of the Princely House of Thurn and Taxis
as a daughter of Anselm Franz, 2nd Prince of Thurn and Taxis
and his wife Maria Ludovika Anna Franziska, Princess of Lobkowicz. Through her marriage to Karl Alexander, Duke of Württemberg
, she became Duchess consort of Württemberg.
, where her family's wealth and economic interests were based. Her only brother was Alexander Ferdinand, 3rd Prince of Thurn and Taxis
, whose son Karl Anselm
would marry Maria Augusta's only daughter in 1753.
(later Duke of Württemberg) because of her Roman Catholic religion. They were married on 1 May 1727 in Frankfurt am Main. They had four surviving children:
Their ten-year marriage was turbulent, and they were generally felt to be each other's match in every way (as both were masters of intrigue and secret diplomacy). He often used a trusted servant to spy on his wife to ensure that she would not interfere in government or criticize the Duke's ministers. After a particularly serious dispute in 1736, her husband even had her promise in writing to stay out of government affairs.
succeeded as Duke of Württemberg. After experiencing initial trouble from the regency council in trying to hold power for her son, she was finally successful on 5 November 1737. She was granted a large allowance and was recognized as co-regent with control over her son's education.
From 1739 to the following year, she had an affair with a captain in the army. Rumors of a possible pregnancy became so widespread that the privy council began an investigation; the captain was discharged and she was forced to stay in Brussels for five months (beginning in April 1740). Her exile removed her from direct power, especially when crucial policy decisions and preparations for her son's education were being made. For instance, she was unable to prevent a disastrous alliance with Prussia that would leave Württemberg exposed at the outbreak of the War of the Austrian Succession
.
By 1744 however, Maria Augusta had again achieved a position of considerable influence. She arranged military careers for her two eldest sons, allowing them to receive commissions in the Prussian army. In 1748, she encouraged her eldest son the reigning Duke Karl Eugen to enter into a marriage with the Hohenzollern Elisabeth Fredericka Sophie of Brandenburg-Bayreuth
, a niece of Frederick the Great. As a Catholic, she prepared her youngest son Frederick Eugen for a life in the Imperial Church. Her dreams for a life of religion for him fell apart however when he became engaged to another niece of Frederick the Great, Friederike Dorothea of Brandenburg-Schwedt
in 1753; he also became one of Frederick's most important cavalry commanders.
Maria Augusta's influence would decline as her son grew increasingly more independent by 1749. She died on 1 February 1756 in Göppingen
, Württemberg
.
She also liked to openly demonstrate her rank as Duchess of Württemberg by spending lavishly, which set her at odds with her thrifty subjects. For instance, her wardrobe contained 228 dresses; the most expensive cost 500 florins
, which was more than 30 times a servant's annual income.
Although often portrayed as an intellectual lightweight, she owned a large library that contained the latest novels, plays, and philosophy. She also maintained a correspondence with Voltaire
.
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 :...
as a daughter of Anselm Franz, 2nd Prince 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...
and his wife Maria Ludovika Anna Franziska, Princess of Lobkowicz. Through her marriage to Karl Alexander, Duke of Württemberg
Karl Alexander, Duke of Württemberg
Charles Alexander of Württemberg was a Württemberg noble from 1698 who governed the Kingdom of Serbia as regent from 1720 until 1733, when he assumed the position of Duke of Württemberg, which he had held until his death....
, she became Duchess consort of Württemberg.
Early life
Maria Augusta was born on 11 August 1706. She grew up in the Austrian Netherlands and later moved to FrankfurtFrankfurt
Frankfurt am Main , commonly known simply as Frankfurt, is the largest city in the German state of Hesse and the fifth-largest city in Germany, with a 2010 population of 688,249. The urban area had an estimated population of 2,300,000 in 2010...
, where her family's wealth and economic interests were based. Her only brother was Alexander Ferdinand, 3rd Prince 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:...
, whose son Karl Anselm
Karl Anselm, 4th Prince of Thurn and Taxis
-Titles and styles:*2 June 1733 – 8 November 1739: His Serene Highness Prince Karl Anselm of Thurn and Taxis*8 November 1739 – 17 March 1773: His Serene Highness The Hereditary Prince of Thurn and Taxis...
would marry Maria Augusta's only daughter in 1753.
Marriage and children
Maria Augusta was chosen as a bride for Karl Alexander, Duke of Württemberg-WinnentalKarl Alexander, Duke of Württemberg
Charles Alexander of Württemberg was a Württemberg noble from 1698 who governed the Kingdom of Serbia as regent from 1720 until 1733, when he assumed the position of Duke of Württemberg, which he had held until his death....
(later Duke of Württemberg) because of her Roman Catholic religion. They were married on 1 May 1727 in Frankfurt am Main. They had four surviving children:
- Karl Eugen, Duke of WürttembergKarl Eugen, Duke of WürttembergCharles Eugene , Duke of Württemberg was the eldest son of Duke Karl I Alexander and Princess Maria Augusta of Thurn and Taxis .-Life:...
(1728–1793), married Elisabeth Fredericka Sophie of Brandenburg-BayreuthElisabeth Fredericka Sophie of Brandenburg-BayreuthMargravine Elisabeth Fredericka Sophie of Brandenburg-Bayreuth , was a German princess member of the House of Hohenzollern and by marriage Duchess of Württemberg.-Early life:...
; no issue. - Eugen Louis (1729)
- Louis Eugene, Duke of Württemberg (1731–1795), married Sophie Albertine of Beichlingen; had issue.
- Frederick II Eugene, Duke of Württemberg (1732–1797), married Friederike Dorothea of Brandenburg-SchwedtFriederike Dorothea of Brandenburg-SchwedtSophia Dorothea of Brandenburg-Schwedt was Duchess of Württemberg and ancestor to many European royals of the 19th and 20th century.- Biography :...
; had issue. - Alexander Eugen (1733–1734)
- Auguste ElisabethDuchess Auguste of Württemberg-Titles and styles:*30 October 1734 – 3 September 1753: Her Ducal Serene Highness Duchess Auguste of Württemberg*3 September 1753 – 17 March 1773: Her Ducal Serene Highness The Hereditary Princess of Thurn and Taxis...
(1734–1787), married Karl Anselm, 4th Prince of Thurn and TaxisKarl Anselm, 4th Prince of Thurn and Taxis-Titles and styles:*2 June 1733 – 8 November 1739: His Serene Highness Prince Karl Anselm of Thurn and Taxis*8 November 1739 – 17 March 1773: His Serene Highness The Hereditary Prince of Thurn and Taxis...
; had issue.
Their ten-year marriage was turbulent, and they were generally felt to be each other's match in every way (as both were masters of intrigue and secret diplomacy). He often used a trusted servant to spy on his wife to ensure that she would not interfere in government or criticize the Duke's ministers. After a particularly serious dispute in 1736, her husband even had her promise in writing to stay out of government affairs.
Regent
Maria Augusta's husband died suddenly on 12 March 1737 on the eve of his departure on a military inspection tour. This meant that their nine year old son Karl EugenKarl Eugen, Duke of Württemberg
Charles Eugene , Duke of Württemberg was the eldest son of Duke Karl I Alexander and Princess Maria Augusta of Thurn and Taxis .-Life:...
succeeded as Duke of Württemberg. After experiencing initial trouble from the regency council in trying to hold power for her son, she was finally successful on 5 November 1737. She was granted a large allowance and was recognized as co-regent with control over her son's education.
From 1739 to the following year, she had an affair with a captain in the army. Rumors of a possible pregnancy became so widespread that the privy council began an investigation; the captain was discharged and she was forced to stay in Brussels for five months (beginning in April 1740). Her exile removed her from direct power, especially when crucial policy decisions and preparations for her son's education were being made. For instance, she was unable to prevent a disastrous alliance with Prussia that would leave Württemberg exposed at the outbreak of the War of the Austrian Succession
War of the Austrian Succession
The War of the Austrian Succession – including King George's War in North America, the Anglo-Spanish War of Jenkins' Ear, and two of the three Silesian wars – involved most of the powers of Europe over the question of Maria Theresa's succession to the realms of the House of Habsburg.The...
.
By 1744 however, Maria Augusta had again achieved a position of considerable influence. She arranged military careers for her two eldest sons, allowing them to receive commissions in the Prussian army. In 1748, she encouraged her eldest son the reigning Duke Karl Eugen to enter into a marriage with the Hohenzollern Elisabeth Fredericka Sophie of Brandenburg-Bayreuth
Elisabeth Fredericka Sophie of Brandenburg-Bayreuth
Margravine Elisabeth Fredericka Sophie of Brandenburg-Bayreuth , was a German princess member of the House of Hohenzollern and by marriage Duchess of Württemberg.-Early life:...
, a niece of Frederick the Great. As a Catholic, she prepared her youngest son Frederick Eugen for a life in the Imperial Church. Her dreams for a life of religion for him fell apart however when he became engaged to another niece of Frederick the Great, Friederike Dorothea of Brandenburg-Schwedt
Friederike Dorothea of Brandenburg-Schwedt
Sophia Dorothea of Brandenburg-Schwedt was Duchess of Württemberg and ancestor to many European royals of the 19th and 20th century.- Biography :...
in 1753; he also became one of Frederick's most important cavalry commanders.
Maria Augusta's influence would decline as her son grew increasingly more independent by 1749. She died on 1 February 1756 in Göppingen
Göppingen
Göppingen is a town in southern Germany, part of the Stuttgart Region of Baden-Württemberg. It is the capital of the district Göppingen. It is situated at the bottom of the Hohenstaufen mountain, in the valley of the river Fils....
, Württemberg
Württemberg
Württemberg , formerly known as Wirtemberg or Wurtemberg, is an area and a former state in southwestern Germany, including parts of the regions Swabia and Franconia....
.
Personal attributes
Maria Augusta was often praised by contemporaries for her beauty. In addition, she was also often criticized for her lack of judgment and resolve however. This criticism most likely stemmed from the fact that she liked to breach the contemporary norms of a consort and involve herself in the affairs of government.She also liked to openly demonstrate her rank as Duchess of Württemberg by spending lavishly, which set her at odds with her thrifty subjects. For instance, her wardrobe contained 228 dresses; the most expensive cost 500 florins
South German gulden
The Gulden was the currency of the states of southern Germany between 1754 and 1873. These states included Bavaria, Baden, Württemberg, Frankfurt and Hohenzollern....
, which was more than 30 times a servant's annual income.
Although often portrayed as an intellectual lightweight, she owned a large library that contained the latest novels, plays, and philosophy. She also maintained a correspondence with Voltaire
Voltaire
François-Marie Arouet , better known by the pen name Voltaire , was a French Enlightenment writer, historian and philosopher famous for his wit and for his advocacy of civil liberties, including freedom of religion, free trade and separation of church and state...
.
Ancestry
Sources
- Wilson, Peter H. (2004). "Women and Imperial Politics: The Württemberg Consorts 1674-1757" in Queenship in Europe 1660-1815: The Role of the Consort. Clarissa Campbell Orr (ed.). Cambridge University Press. ISBN 0521814227.