Wilhelm, 1st Duke of Urach
Encyclopedia
Count Friedrich Wilhelm Alexander Ferdinand of Württemberg, 1st Duke of Urach (Stuttgart
, 6 July 1810 – Schloss Lichtenstein
, 17 July 1869), was the son of Duke Wilhelm of Württemberg (1761–1830), younger brother of King Frederick I of Württemberg, by his morganatic wife, Baroness Wilhelmine von Tunderfeldt-Rhodis (1777–1822), who had married in 1800. He was created Duke of Urach
on 28 March 1867, with the style of Serene Highness.
. He also tested cannon for the Army of Württemberg
, some of which can still be seen at Lichtenstein Castle
, which he substantially rebuilt in the 1840s. He was inspired by the romantic historical novel Lichtenstein
by Wilhelm Hauff
(1826). Hauff was in turn inspired by the works of Walter Scott
.
A junior member of the local royal family, Wilhelm was a nephew of King Frederick (d. 1816), and was a first cousin of William I of Württemberg
(ruled 1816 - 1864).
An unexpected outcome of this marriage was the Monaco Succession Crisis of 1918
.
(1732–97), from whom the former ruling family of the Kingdom of Württemberg was descended.
Wilhelm's maternal ancestry came from Finland.
Stuttgart
Stuttgart is the capital of the state of Baden-Württemberg in southern Germany. The sixth-largest city in Germany, Stuttgart has a population of 600,038 while the metropolitan area has a population of 5.3 million ....
, 6 July 1810 – Schloss Lichtenstein
Lichtenstein Castle
Lichtenstein Castle is situated on a cliff located near Honau in the Swabian Alb, Baden-Württemberg, Germany.Historically there has been a castle on the site since around 1200. It was twice destroyed, once in the Reichskriegs war of 1311 and again by the city-state of Reutlingen in 1381...
, 17 July 1869), was the son of Duke Wilhelm of Württemberg (1761–1830), younger brother of King Frederick I of Württemberg, by his morganatic wife, Baroness Wilhelmine von Tunderfeldt-Rhodis (1777–1822), who had married in 1800. He was created Duke of Urach
Duke of Urach
The title Duke of Urach was created in the Kingdom of Württemberg for Friedrich Wilhelm Alexander Ferdinand, Count of Württemberg on 28 March 1867, with the style of HSH."Urach" is pronounced Oo-raakh -Family:...
on 28 March 1867, with the style of Serene Highness.
Career
Wilhelm served as a cavalry officer in the army of the then-independent Kingdom of WürttembergKingdom of Württemberg
The Kingdom of Württemberg was a state that existed from 1806 to 1918, located in present-day Baden-Württemberg, Germany. It was a continuation of the Duchy of Württemberg, which came into existence in 1495...
. He also tested cannon for the Army of Württemberg
Army of Württemberg
The army of the German state of Württemberg was until 1918 known in Germany as the Württembergische Armee.Its troops were maintained by Württemberg for its national defence and as a unit of the Swabian Circle, the Confederation of the Rhine, the German Confederation and finally of the Imperial...
, some of which can still be seen at Lichtenstein Castle
Lichtenstein Castle
Lichtenstein Castle is situated on a cliff located near Honau in the Swabian Alb, Baden-Württemberg, Germany.Historically there has been a castle on the site since around 1200. It was twice destroyed, once in the Reichskriegs war of 1311 and again by the city-state of Reutlingen in 1381...
, which he substantially rebuilt in the 1840s. He was inspired by the romantic historical novel Lichtenstein
Lichtenstein (novel)
Lichtenstein is a historical novel by Wilhelm Hauff, first published in 1826, the year before his early death. Set in and around Württemberg, it is considered his greatest literary success next to his fairy-tales, and, together with the work of the almost forgotten Benedikte Naubert, represents the...
by Wilhelm Hauff
Wilhelm Hauff
Wilhelm Hauff was a German poet and novelist.-Early life:Hauff was born in Stuttgart, the son of August Friedrich Hauff, a secretary in the ministry of foreign affairs, and Hedwig Wilhelmine Elsaesser Hauff...
(1826). Hauff was in turn inspired by the works of Walter Scott
Walter Scott
Sir Walter Scott, 1st Baronet was a Scottish historical novelist, playwright, and poet, popular throughout much of the world during his time....
.
A junior member of the local royal family, Wilhelm was a nephew of King Frederick (d. 1816), and was a first cousin of William I of Württemberg
William I of Württemberg
William I was the second King of Württemberg from October 30, 1816 until his death.He was born in Lüben, the son of King Frederick I of Württemberg and his wife Duchess Augusta of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel .-First marriage:...
(ruled 1816 - 1864).
Marriages
- On 8 February 1841, Duke Wilhelm married Princess Theodelinda de Beauharnais (1814–1857), the daughter of Eugène de BeauharnaisEugène de BeauharnaisEugène Rose de Beauharnais, Prince Français, Prince of Venice, Viceroy of the Kingdom of Italy, Hereditary Grand Duke of Frankfurt, 1st Duke of Leuchtenberg and 1st Prince of Eichstätt ad personam was the first child and only son of Alexandre, Vicomte de Beauharnais and Joséphine Tascher de la...
, Duke of LeuchtenbergDuke of LeuchtenbergDuke of Leuchtenberg was a title created by Maximilian I, Elector of Bavaria and awarded to his son Maximilian Philipp Hieronymus. Little is known about this title until its re-creation by Maximilian I Joseph of Bavaria on 14 November 1817 and awarded to his son-in-law Eugène de Beauharnais...
. To contract the marriage he converted to Roman Catholicism. Four daughters were born from this marriage:- Princess Augusta Eugenie of Urach (1842–1916). Married firstly Count Rudolf von Enzenberg zum Freyen und Jochelsthurn (1835–1874); secondly Count Franz von Thun und Hohenstein (1826–1888)
- Princess Marie Josephine of Urach (1844–1864)
- Princess Eugenia Amalie of Urach (1848–1867)
- Princess Mathilde of Urach (1854–1907); married Paolo Altieri, Prince of Viano.
- On 15 February 1863 in MonacoMonacoMonaco , officially the Principality of Monaco , is a sovereign city state on the French Riviera. It is bordered on three sides by its neighbour, France, and its centre is about from Italy. Its area is with a population of 35,986 as of 2011 and is the most densely populated country in the...
, he married Florestine Gabrielle Antoinette Grimaldi, Princess of MonacoPrincess Florestine of MonacoPrincess Florestine Gabrielle Antoinette of Monaco was the youngest child and only daughter of Florestan I, Prince of Monaco and his wife Maria Caroline Gibert de Lametz...
(FontenayFontenayFontenay can refer to:a person*Charles L. Fontenay, journalist and science-fiction writer*Jean-Baptiste Belin de Fontenay I, French paintera battle* Battle of Fontenay , during the Carolingian civil war...
, 2 October/22 October 1833 - StuttgartStuttgartStuttgart is the capital of the state of Baden-Württemberg in southern Germany. The sixth-largest city in Germany, Stuttgart has a population of 600,038 while the metropolitan area has a population of 5.3 million ....
, 4 April/24 April 1897) , daughter of Florestan I, Prince of MonacoFlorestan I, Prince of MonacoFlorestan I, Prince of Monaco was Prince of Monaco and Duke of Valentinois from 2 October 1841 until his death...
, and they had two sons:- Wilhelm, 2nd Duke of Urach (1864–1929), later King Mindaugas II of LithuaniaMindaugas II of LithuaniaPrince Wilhelm of Urach, Count of Württemberg, 2nd Duke of Urach was a German prince who was elected King of Lithuania with the regnal name Mindaugas II on 11 July 1918...
. - Prince Karl of Urach (15 February 1865 - 5 December 1925).
- Wilhelm, 2nd Duke of Urach (1864–1929), later King Mindaugas II of Lithuania
An unexpected outcome of this marriage was the Monaco Succession Crisis of 1918
Monaco Succession Crisis of 1918
The Monaco Succession Crisis of 1918 arose because France objected to the prospect of a German national inheriting the throne of Monaco, a nation which neighboured France on its Mediterranean coast. Albert I, Sovereign Prince of Monaco had only one legitimate child, the Hereditary Prince Louis,...
.
Ancestry
Wilhelm's paternal grandfather was Friedrich II EugenFriedrich II Eugen, Duke of Württemberg
Friedrich Eugen of Württemberg , the fourth son of Duke Karl Alexander and Princess Maria Augusta of Thurn and Taxis .-Royal duke:...
(1732–97), from whom the former ruling family of the Kingdom of Württemberg was descended.
Wilhelm's maternal ancestry came from Finland.