Marie Auguste was chosen as a bride for Karl Alexander, Duke of Württemberg-Winnental (later Duke of Württemberg) because of her Roman Catholic religion. They were married on 1 May 1727 in Frankfurt am Main. Despite their Catholicism, the couple's children were all raised in the Lutheran faith. 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).[2] 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.[2]
Regent
Marie Auguste's husband died suddenly on 12 March 1737 on the eve of his departure on a military inspection tour.[3] This meant that their nine-year-old son Karl Eugen 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.[4]
Marie Auguste's eldest son Karl Eugen
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.[5] 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, Marie Auguste 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.[5]
As a Catholic, she prepared her youngest son Frederick Eugen for a life in the Imperial Church.[5] Her dreams for a life of religion for him fell apart, however, when in 1753 he became engaged to another niece of Frederick the Great, Friederike Dorothea of Brandenburg-Schwedt; he also became one of Frederick's most important cavalry commanders.[5]
Marie Auguste's influence would decline as her son grew increasingly more independent by 1749. She died on 1 February 1756 in Göppingen, Württemberg.[citation needed]
Personal attributes
Marie Auguste was often praised by contemporaries for her beauty. However, she was also often criticized for her lack of judgment and resolve.[2] She also liked to openly demonstrate her rank as Duchess of Württemberg by spending lavishly, which set her at odds with her thrifty subjects.[2] For instance, her wardrobe contained 228 dresses; the most expensive cost 500 florins, which was more than 30 times a servant's annual income.[2]
Although often portrayed as an intellectual lightweight, she owned a large library that contained the latest novels, plays, and philosophy. She maintained a correspondence with Voltaire,[3] and also was a friend of the philosopher Marquis d'Argens.[6]
Ancestry
Ancestors of Princess Marie Auguste of Thurn and Taxis
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. ISBN0-521-81422-7.
External links
Media related to Maria Augusta of Thurn and Taxis at Wikimedia Commons
princess, marie, auguste, thurn, taxis, princess, marie, auguste, anna, thurn, taxis, august, 1706, february, 1756, regent, württemberg, birth, member, princely, house, thurn, taxis, through, marriage, karl, alexander, duke, württemberg, became, duchess, conso. Princess Marie Auguste Anna of Thurn and Taxis 11 August 1706 1 February 1756 was a Regent of Wurttemberg By birth she was a member of the Princely House of Thurn and Taxis and through her marriage to Karl Alexander Duke of Wurttemberg she became Duchess consort of Wurttemberg Princess Marie Auguste of Thurn and TaxisDuchess of WurttembergPortrait by Johann Philipp von der Schlichten 1735Born 1706 08 11 11 August 1706Frankfurt am Main HesseDied1 February 1756 1756 02 01 aged 49 Goppingen Duchy of WurttembergSpouseCharles Alexander Duke of WurttembergIssueCharles Eugene Duke of WurttembergLouis Eugene Duke of WurttembergFrederick II Eugene Duke of WurttembergAuguste Princess of Thurn and TaxisNamesGerman Marie Auguste AnnaHouseThurn and TaxisFatherAnselm Franz 2nd Prince of Thurn and TaxisMotherMaria Ludovika Anna Franziska Princess of LobkowiczReligionRoman Catholic Contents 1 Early life 2 Marriage and children 3 Regent 4 Personal attributes 5 Ancestry 6 References 7 Sources 8 External linksEarly life EditMarie Auguste was born on 11 August 1706 as a daughter of Anselm Franz 2nd Prince of Thurn and Taxis and his wife Princess Maria Ludovika Anna Franziska of Lobkowicz 1683 1750 1 She grew up in the Austrian Netherlands and later moved to Frankfurt where her family s wealth and economic interests were based 2 Her only brother was Alexander Ferdinand 3rd Prince of Thurn and Taxis whose son Karl Anselm would marry Marie Auguste s only daughter in 1753 Marriage and children EditMarie Auguste was chosen as a bride for Karl Alexander Duke of Wurttemberg Winnental later Duke of Wurttemberg because of her Roman Catholic religion They were married on 1 May 1727 in Frankfurt am Main Despite their Catholicism the couple s children were all raised in the Lutheran faith They had four surviving children Charles Eugene Duke of Wurttemberg 1728 1793 married Elisabeth Fredericka Sophie of Brandenburg Bayreuth no issue Eugen Louis 1729 Louis Eugene Duke of Wurttemberg 1731 1795 married Sophie Albertine of Beichlingen had issue Frederick II Eugene Duke of Wurttemberg 1732 1797 married Friederike Dorothea of Brandenburg Schwedt had issue Alexander Eugen 1733 1734 Auguste Elisabeth 1734 1787 married Karl Anselm 4th 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 2 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 2 Regent EditMarie Auguste s husband died suddenly on 12 March 1737 on the eve of his departure on a military inspection tour 3 This meant that their nine year old son Karl Eugen succeeded as Duke of Wurttemberg 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 4 Marie Auguste s eldest son Karl Eugen 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 5 For instance she was unable to prevent a disastrous alliance with Prussia that would leave Wurttemberg exposed at the outbreak of the War of the Austrian Succession By 1744 however Marie Auguste 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 5 As a Catholic she prepared her youngest son Frederick Eugen for a life in the Imperial Church 5 Her dreams for a life of religion for him fell apart however when in 1753 he became engaged to another niece of Frederick the Great Friederike Dorothea of Brandenburg Schwedt he also became one of Frederick s most important cavalry commanders 5 Marie Auguste s influence would decline as her son grew increasingly more independent by 1749 She died on 1 February 1756 in Goppingen Wurttemberg citation needed Personal attributes EditMarie Auguste was often praised by contemporaries for her beauty However she was also often criticized for her lack of judgment and resolve 2 She also liked to openly demonstrate her rank as Duchess of Wurttemberg by spending lavishly which set her at odds with her thrifty subjects 2 For instance her wardrobe contained 228 dresses the most expensive cost 500 florins which was more than 30 times a servant s annual income 2 Although often portrayed as an intellectual lightweight she owned a large library that contained the latest novels plays and philosophy She maintained a correspondence with Voltaire 3 and also was a friend of the philosopher Marquis d Argens 6 Ancestry EditAncestors of Princess Marie Auguste of Thurn and Taxis8 Lamoral II Claudius Franz Count of Thurn and Taxis4 Eugen Alexander Franz 1st Prince of Thurn and Taxis9 Countess Anne Francoise Eugenie of Hornes2 Anselm Franz 2nd Prince of Thurn and Taxis10 Herman Egon Prince of Furstenberg Heiligenberg5 Princess Anna Adelheid of Furstenberg Heiligenberg11 Countess Franziska of Furstenberg Stuhlingen1 Princess Marie Auguste of Thurn and Taxis12 Wenzel Eusebius 2nd Prince of Lobkowicz6 Ferdinand August 3rd Prince of Lobkowicz13 Countess Palatine Augusta Sophie of Sulzbach3 Princess Maria Ludovika of Lobkowicz14 William Margrave of Baden Baden7 Princess Maria Anna of Baden Baden15 Countess Maria Magdalena of Oettingen BaldernReferences Edit Lundy Darryl The Peerage Marie Auguste Prinzessin von Thurn und Taxis Retrieved 15 December 2009 a b c d e f Wilson p 240 a b Wilson p 242 Wilson p 243 a b c d Wilson p 244 Marquis d Argens biography timelineSources EditWilson Peter H 2004 Women and Imperial Politics The Wurttemberg Consorts 1674 1757 in Queenship in Europe 1660 1815 The Role of the Consort Clarissa Campbell Orr ed Cambridge University Press ISBN 0 521 81422 7 External links Edit Media related to Maria Augusta of Thurn and Taxis at Wikimedia Commons Princess Marie Auguste of Thurn and TaxisHouse of Thurn and TaxisCadet branch of the House of TassisBorn 11 August 1706 Died 1 February 1756Regnal titlesPreceded byEleonore Juliane of Brandenburg Ansbach Duchess consort of Wurttemberg Winnental1 May 1727 12 March 1737 Succeeded byElisabeth Fredericka Sophie of Brandenburg BayreuthPreceded byJoanna Elisabeth of Baden Durlach Duchess consort of Wurttemberg Stuttgart31 October 1733 12 March 1737 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Princess Marie Auguste of Thurn and Taxis amp oldid 1129360426, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
