Amalie Louise of Courland
Fürstin of Nassau-Siegen
Fürstin Amalie Louise of Nassau-Siegen, nee Duchess of Courland. Detail of an anonymous portrait, 18th century. Siegerlandmuseum, Siegen.
Fürstin-Regent of Nassau-Siegen
Coat of arms
Reign1722–1727
Full name
Amalie Louise Duchess of Courland
Native nameAmalia Luise Herzogin von Kurland
BornAmalia Luise Herzogin in Livland, zu Kurland und Semgallen, Fürstin zu Pilten
(1687-07-23)23 July 1687
Mitau
Died18 January 1750(1750-01-18) (aged 62)
Untere Schloss, Siegen
Buried23 March 1750
Fürstengruft, Siegen
Noble familyHouse of Kettler
Spouse(s)Frederick William Adolf
Issue
Detail
  • Wilhelmine Charlotte Louise
  • Augusta Amelie
  • Caroline Amelie Adolphina
  • Elizabeth Hedwig
FatherFrederick Casimir of Courland
MotherSophie Amalie of Nassau-Siegen

Duchess Amalie Louise of Courland (23 July 1687 – 18 January 1750), German: Amalia Luise Herzogin von Kurland, official titles: Herzogin in Livland, zu Kurland und Semgallen, Fürstin zu Pilten, was a duchess from the House of Kettler and through marriage Fürstin of Nassau-Siegen. She was regent of the Principality of Nassau-Siegen (part of the County of Nassau) for her stepson Frederick William II in the period 1722–1727.

Biography

Amalie Louise was born in Mitau on 23 July 1687[1][2][note 1] as the third daughter of Duke Frederick Casimir of Courland and his first wife Princess Sophie Amalie of Nassau-Siegen.[4]

Fürst Frederick William Adolf of Nassau-Siegen, the husband of Amalie Louise. Anonymous portrait, first quarter 18th century. Siegerlandmuseum, Siegen.

Amalie Louise married at the Old Castle in Bayreuth[5][6] on 13 April 1708[2][note 2][5][6] to her first cousin Fürst Frederick William Adolf of Nassau-Siegen[note 3] (Nassauischer Hof, Siegen,[8] 20 February 1680[9] – Nassauischer Hof, Siegen,[8] 13 February 1722[10]), the eldest son of Fürst William Maurice of Nassau-Siegen and Princess Ernestine Charlotte of Nassau-Schaumburg.[4] Frederick William Adolf was the widower of Landgravine Elisabeth Juliana Francisca of Hesse-Homburg.[11] Amalie Louise was not only a first cousin of her husband Frederick William Adolf, but also of his first wife Elisabeth Juliana Francisca.[12]

On the death of his father in 1691, Frederick William Adolf succeeded his father as the territorial lord of the Protestant part of the principality of Nassau-Siegen and co-ruler of the city of Siegen.[8] He possessed the district of Siegen (with the exception of seven villages) and the districts of Hilchenbach and Freudenberg. He shared the city of Siegen with the Catholic Fürst of Nassau-Siegen.[13] Frederick William Adolf also succeeded his father as count of Bronkhorst, lord of Wisch, Borculo, Lichtenvoorde and Wildenborch, and hereditary knight banneret of the Duchy of Guelders and the County of Zutphen.[14] Following the death of Frederick William Adolf in 1722 he was succeeded by Frederick William II, the only son from the first marriage. But because the latter was still a minor, he was under the custody and regency of his stepmother Amalie Louise until 1727.[1]

The new Nassauischer Hof, later called Untere Schloss, seen from the west, ca. 1720. Attempt at reconstruction, ink drawing, Wilhelm Scheiner, 1922.

After her regency, Amalie Louise continued to live in the Nassauischer Hof, which has been called Untere Schloss since the mid-18th century. The northern wing of the palace is still called the Kurländer Flügel after her.[15]

Amalie Louise' stepson Frederick William II died in the Nassauischer Hof in Siegen on 2 March 1734, he was only 27 years old. On 19 June, his widow Sophie Polyxena Concordia of Sayn-Wittgenstein-Hohenstein gave birth to the fifth daughter. Thus, there were no male heirs and the Dowager Fürstin was compelled to accept that the Catholic Fürst William Hyacinth would take possession of the Reformed lands and the city of Siegen. However, the Fürsten Christian of Nassau-Dillenburg and William Charles Henry Friso of Nassau-Diez also laid claim to the inheritance. Their soldiers occupied the Nassauischer Hof in Siegen, while William Hyacinth was in Spain. In order to drive out this occupation by Nassau-Dillenburg and Nassau-Diez, Elector Clemens August of Cologne called in the Landesausschuß in his countries bordering the Siegerland. On 20 August 1735, peasants from Cologne crossed the borders of the Principality of Nassau-Siegen and plundered "was ihnen vorkam" ("what was in front of them"). On 23 August they were admitted to the (Catholic) castle and advanced with two to three thousand men to the (Reformed) Nassauischer Hof. But the armies of Nassau-Dillenburg and Nassau-Diez, united with the citizens of Siegen, forced the troops from Cologne to flee. Thus, the Reformed part of Siegerland remained under the rule of Nassau-Dillenburg and Nassau-Diez, and the Catholic part remained under the imperial administration.[16]

During the visits to his German lands in 1741 and 1742, Prince William IV of Orange-Nassau stayed with Amalie Louise and her daughter-in-law Sophie Polyxena Concordia in the Nassauischer Hof in Siegen.[15]

Amalie Louise died at the Untere Schloss[1] in Siegen on 18 January 1750.[10] She was buried on 23 March 1750 in the Fürstengruft there.[8][17]

Issue

From the marriage of Amalie Louise and Frederick William Adolf the following children were born:[18][19][20]

  1. Sophia Wilhelmine Adolphina (Nassauischer Hof, Siegen, 28 February 1709[note 4] – Nassauischer Hof, Siegen, 16 December 1710[note 5]).
  2. Charles Frederick (Nassauischer Hof, Siegen, 4 March 1710[note 6] – Nassauischer Hof, Siegen, 25 December 1710[note 7]).
  3. Wilhelmine Charlotte Louise[note 8] (Nassauischer Hof, Siegen, 25 April 1711 – Untere Schloss, Siegen, 7 March 1771[note 9]).
  4. Augusta Amelie[note 10] (Siegen, 9 September 1712 – Wittgenstein Castle, Laasphe, 22 February 1742), married in Siegen on 6 May 1738 to Count Frederick of Sayn-Wittgenstein-Hohenstein[note 11] (Berlin, 29 January 1708 – 9 June 1756). He later remarried the youngest sister of Augusta Amelie.
  5. Louis Ferdinand (Nassauischer Hof, Siegen, 29 March 1714 – Nassauischer Hof, Siegen, 26 February 1715).
  6. Caroline Amelie Adolphina[note 12] (Siegen, 26 November 1715 – Laubach, 10 August 1752), married at Wittgenstein Castle in Laasphe on 11 February 1751 to Count Christian August of Solms-Laubach (Wetzlar, 1 August 1714 – Laubach, 20 February 1784).
  7. William Maurice (Nassauischer Hof, Siegen, 1 March 1717 – Nassauischer Hof, Siegen, 5 August 1719).
  8. Elizabeth Hedwig (Siegen, 19 April 1719 – Wittgenstein Castle, Laasphe, 10 January 1789), married in Siegen on 12 June 1743 to Count Frederick of Sayn-Wittgenstein-Hohenstein (Berlin, 29 January 1708 – 9 June 1756). He was the widower of an older sister of Elisabeth Hedwig.

Ancestors

Ancestors of Amalie Louise of Courland[12][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32]
Great-great-grandparents Gotthard of Courland
(ca. 1517–1587)
⚭ 1566
Anne of Mecklenburg-Güstrow
(1533–1602)		 Albert Frederick of Prussia
(1553–1618)
⚭ 1573
Marie Eleonore of Jülich
(1550–1608)		 John Sigismund of Brandenburg
(1572–1620)
⚭ 1594
Anne of Prussia
(1576–1625)		 Frederick IV of the Palatinate
(1574–1610)
⚭ 1593
Louise Juliana of Nassau
(1576–1644)		 John VI 'the Elder' of Nassau-Siegen
(1536–1606)
⚭ 1559
Elisabeth of Leuchtenberg
(1537–1579)		 John 'the Younger' of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg
(1545–1622)
⚭ 1568
Elisabeth of Brunswick-Grubenhagen
(1550–1586)		 Jobst of Limburg-Stirum
(1560–1621)
⚭ 1591
Mary of Holstein-Schauenburg-Pinneberg
(1559–1616)		 Arnold IV of Bentheim-Tecklenburg
(1554–1606)
⚭ 1573
Magdalena of Neuenahr-Alpen
(1553–1627)
Great-grandparents William of Courland
(1574–1640)
⚭ 1609
Sophie of Prussia
(1582–1610)		 George William of Brandenburg
(1595–1640)
⚭ 1616
Elisabeth Charlotte of the Palatinate
(1597–1660)		 John VII 'the Middle' of Nassau-Siegen
(1561–1623)
⚭ 1603
Margaret of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg
(1583–1658)		 George Ernest of Limburg-Stirum
(1593–1661)
⚭ 1603
Magdalene of Bentheim-Tecklenburg
(1591–1649)
Grandparents Jacob of Courland
(1610–1682)
⚭ 1645
Louise Charlotte of Brandenburg
(1617–1676)		 Henry of Nassau-Siegen
(1611–1652)
⚭ 1646
Mary Magdalene of Limburg-Stirum
(1632–1707)
Parents Frederick Casimir of Courland
(1650–1698)
⚭ 1675
Sophie Amalie of Nassau-Siegen
(1650–1688)

Notes

  1. ↑ "Although Dek (1970) and Europäische Stammtafeln I, 117 and II, 88 say that she was born on 27‑7‑1687, we could establish that the birth took place in Mitau on the 23rd. Indeed, the notification that the Duke of Courland sent from Mitau on 24‑7‑1687 announces the birth of a daughter «gestern morgens» (see State Archives Wiesbaden 170III)."[3]
  2. ↑ "Although Dek (1962) and Dek (1970) place the marriage in Bayreuth on 20‑4‑1708 (date confirmed by Europäische Stammtafeln I, 117, Europäische Stammtafeln II, 88 and Knetsch (1931)), we find in the marriage contract that was signed in Siegen on 6‑8‑1708: «solches durch das Fürstliche Beylager mit öffentlichen und gewöhnlichen Christfürstlichen Ceremonien den 13. April des noch laufenden 1708 Jahres in der Fürstlichen Residenz zu Bayreuth vollzogen». The date 13 April is confirmed by the notification of the marriage (see State Archives Marburg 4f, Nassau-Siegen N. 241), dated Bayreuth 18‑4‑1708: «den 13. Aprilis allhier zu Bayreuth … durch würklich gehaltenes Beylager». See also in the Royal House Archive of the Netherlands (IV/1561), personalia: «den 13. April 1708 dero christfürstl. Beylager in Bayreuth». The registers of the Hofkirche in Bayreuth have disappeared."[3]
  3. ↑ "In almost all official documents he is mentioned with these three given names, but sometimes only Frederick William (see for instance Menk (1971), p. 89). Dek (1970) names him Frederik Willem I Adolf; Europäische Stammtafeln on the other hand, mentions him as Adolf in its table Nassau-Siegen (band I, 117), while in other places he mentions him under the double given name Friedrich Wilhelm, which causes some confusion among readers."[7]
  4. ↑ "According to the parish registers of Siegen, she was born on 1‑3, but the draft notification (State Archives Wiesbaden 170III) shows that she was born on 28‑2: «gestrigen Donnerstag Nachts zwischen eilff und 12 Uhren»."[21]
  5. ↑ "The death occurred on 17‑12‑1710 in Europäische Stammtafeln and on 16‑(burial on 17)12‑1710 in Dek (1970). The parish registers of Siegen give 16th as the date of death. See also Royal House Archive of the Netherlands (IV/1561 I‑II), two letters of condolence from which it can be deduced that the death took place in Siegen and in which the date of the 16th is confirmed: a) letter of condolence in response to a notification from Siegen dated 17‑12‑1710, b) letter of condolence in response to a notification in which the death was announced «am 16ten letztverwichenen Monaths Morgendts ein Viertel nach acht Uhren»."[21]
  6. ↑ "Europäische Stammtafeln wrongly states that he was born on 4‑2‑1710, Dek (1970) writes «Siegen 4‑3‑1710», confirmed by the parish registers of Siegen and the notification of birth kept in the State Archives Marburg (4f Nassau-Siegen, Nr. 241 (7)), dated Siegen 4‑3‑1710: «diesen Morgen um acht Uhr»."[21]
  7. ↑ "Definitely deceased in Siegen from where a notification was sent on 25‑12‑1710: «heute früh um halb 6 Uhr» (see State Archives Marburg (4f Nassau-Siegen, Nr. 241)."[21]
  8. ↑ Huberty, et al. (1981), p. 355 names her Charlotte Wilhelmine. The given name Wilhelmina Charlotta Luisa in Menk (2004), p. 201; Wilhelmina Charlotte Louise in Dek (1970), p. 97; Wilhelmine Charlotte Luise in Lück & Wunderlich (1956), p. 35 and Wilhelmina Charlotta Louisa in Vorsterman van Oyen (1882), p. 129.
  9. ↑ "See Gazette de France 1771, p. 101, dépêche from Vienna 13‑3‑1771: «On mande de Siegen que Charlotte Guillemine de Nass… y est morte le 7 de ce mois». The State Archives Wolfenbüttel preserves (2 Alt 264) a notification dated Wittgenstein 9‑3‑1771, which announces the death «am 7. dieses»."[22]
  10. ↑ Given name according to Huberty, et al. (1981), p. 355. The given name Augusta Amelia Albertina Henriëtte Elisabeth in Dek (1970), p. 97 and Augusta Amalia Albertina Henrietta Elisabeth in Vorsterman van Oyen (1882), p. 129.
  11. ↑ Names according to Huberty, et al. (1981), p. 355. The names Karel Frederik Willem van Sayn-Wittgenstein in Dek (1970), p. 97 and Carel Frederik Willem van Sayn-Wittgenstein-Hohenstein in Vorsterman van Oyen (1882), p. 129.
  12. ↑ "The baptismal certificate names her Charlotte Amélie Adolphine. In the notification of death «Charlotte» is changed into «Caroline»."[22]

References

  1. 1 2 3 Menk (2004), p. 200.
  2. 1 2 Huberty, et al. (1981), p. 311.
  3. 1 2 Huberty, et al. (1981), p. 341.
  4. 1 2 All sources that mention both parents, name these parents.
  5. 1 2 Menk (2004), p. 199.
  6. 1 2 Menk (2004), p. 201.
  7. ↑ Huberty, et al. (1981), p. 340.
  8. 1 2 3 4 Menk (2004), p. 198.
  9. ↑ All sources that mention a full date of birth, state this date.
  10. 1 2 All sources that mention a full date of death, state this date.
  11. ↑ All sources mention this earlier marriage.
  12. 1 2 Europäische Stammtafeln.
  13. ↑ Huberty, et al. (1981), p. 273.
  14. ↑ Lück (1981), p. 116.
  15. 1 2 Aβmann & Menk (1996).
  16. ↑ Lück (1981), p. 147.
  17. ↑ Lück & Wunderlich (1956), p. 35.
  18. ↑ Huberty, et al. (1981), p. 355.
  19. ↑ Dek (1970), pp. 97–99.
  20. ↑ Vorsterman van Oyen (1882), pp. 128–129.
  21. 1 2 3 4 Huberty, et al. (1981), p. 374.
  22. 1 2 Huberty, et al. (1981), p. 375.
  23. ↑ Huberty, et al. (1994).
  24. ↑ Huberty, et al. (1987).
  25. ↑ Huberty, et al. (1981).
  26. ↑ Dek (1970).
  27. ↑ Dek (1968).
  28. ↑ Dek (1962).
  29. ↑ von Ehrenkrook, et al. (1928).
  30. ↑ Vorsterman van Oyen (1882).
  31. ↑ Behr (1854).
  32. ↑ Textor von Haiger (1617).

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