Princess Maria Augusta of Thurn and Taxis
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, house =
Thurn and Taxis The Princely House of Thurn and Taxis (german: link=no, Fürstenhaus Thurn und Taxis ) is a family of German nobility that is part of the ''Briefadel''. It was a key player in the postal services in Europe during the 16th century, until the end ...
, father =
Anselm Franz, 2nd Prince of Thurn and Taxis , image = Anselm Franz von Thurn und Taxis.jpg , caption = , succession = Prince of Thurn and Taxis , reign = 21 February 1714 – 8 November 1739 , reign-type = Period , coronation = , predecessor = Eugen Alexand ...
, mother =Maria Ludovika Anna Franziska, Princess of Lobkowicz , birth_date = , birth_place =
Frankfurt am Main Frankfurt, officially Frankfurt am Main (; Hessian: , "Frank ford on the Main"), is the most populous city in the German state of Hesse. Its 791,000 inhabitants as of 2022 make it the fifth-most populous city in Germany. Located on its na ...
,
Hesse Hesse (, , ) or Hessia (, ; german: Hessen ), officially the State of Hessen (german: links=no, Land Hessen), is a States of Germany, state in Germany. Its capital city is Wiesbaden, and the largest urban area is Frankfurt. Two other major histor ...
, death_date = , death_place =
Göppingen Göppingen ( Swabian: ''Geppenge'' or ''Gebbenga'') is a town in southern Germany, part of the Stuttgart Region of Baden-Württemberg. It is the capital of the district Göppingen. Göppingen is home to the toy company Märklin, and it is the b ...
,
Duchy of Württemberg The Duchy of Württemberg (german: Herzogtum Württemberg) was a duchy located in the south-western part of the Holy Roman Empire. It was a member of the Holy Roman Empire from 1495 to 1806. The dukedom's long survival for over three centuries ...
, religion =
Roman Catholic Roman or Romans most often refers to: *Rome, the capital city of Italy *Ancient Rome, Roman civilization from 8th century BC to 5th century AD *Roman people, the people of ancient Rome *'' Epistle to the Romans'', shortened to ''Romans'', a lette ...
Princess Marie Auguste Anna of Thurn and Taxis (11 August 1706 – 1 February 1756) was a Regent of
Württemberg Württemberg ( ; ) is a historical German territory roughly corresponding to the cultural and linguistic region of Swabia. The main town of the region is Stuttgart. Together with Baden and Hohenzollern, two other historical territories, Würt ...
. By birth she was a member of the Princely House of Thurn and Taxis and through her marriage to
Karl Alexander, Duke of Württemberg Karl may refer to: People * Karl (given name), including a list of people and characters with the name * Karl der Große, commonly known in English as Charlemagne * Karl Marx, German philosopher and political writer * Karl of Austria, last Austria ...
, she became Duchess consort of Württemberg.


Early life

Marie Auguste was born on 11 August 1706 as a daughter of
Anselm Franz, 2nd Prince of Thurn and Taxis , image = Anselm Franz von Thurn und Taxis.jpg , caption = , succession = Prince of Thurn and Taxis , reign = 21 February 1714 – 8 November 1739 , reign-type = Period , coronation = , predecessor = Eugen Alexand ...
and his wife, Princess Maria Ludovika Anna Franziska of
Lobkowicz The House of Lobkowicz (''Lobkovicové'' in modern Czech, sg. ''z Lobkovic''; ''Lobkowitz'' in German) is a Czech noble family that dates back to the 14th century and is one of the oldest Bohemian noble families. The family also belong to the Ge ...
(1683-1750). She grew up in the
Austrian Netherlands The Austrian Netherlands nl, Oostenrijkse Nederlanden; french: Pays-Bas Autrichiens; german: Österreichische Niederlande; la, Belgium Austriacum. was the territory of the Burgundian Circle of the Holy Roman Empire between 1714 and 1797. The p ...
and later moved to
Frankfurt Frankfurt, officially Frankfurt am Main (; Hessian: , "Frank ford on the Main"), is the most populous city in the German state of Hesse. Its 791,000 inhabitants as of 2022 make it the fifth-most populous city in Germany. Located on its na ...
, where her family's wealth and economic interests were based.Wilson, p. 240. Her only brother was
Alexander Ferdinand, 3rd Prince of Thurn and Taxis , title = Prince of Thurn and Taxis , image = Alexander Ferdinand von Thurn und Taxis.jpg , caption = , reign = 8 November 1739 – 17 March 1773 , reign-type = Period , coronation = , predecessor ...
, whose son Karl Anselm would marry Marie Auguste's only daughter in 1753.


Marriage and children

Marie Auguste was chosen as a bride for Karl Alexander, Duke of Württemberg-Winnental (later Duke of Württemberg) because of her
Roman Catholic Roman or Romans most often refers to: *Rome, the capital city of Italy *Ancient Rome, Roman civilization from 8th century BC to 5th century AD *Roman people, the people of ancient Rome *'' Epistle to the Romans'', shortened to ''Romans'', a lette ...
religion. They were married on 1 May 1727 in
Frankfurt am Main Frankfurt, officially Frankfurt am Main (; Hessian: , "Frank ford on the Main"), is the most populous city in the German state of Hesse. Its 791,000 inhabitants as of 2022 make it the fifth-most populous city in Germany. Located on its na ...
. Despite their Catholicism, the couple's children were all raised in the Lutheran faith. They had four surviving children: *
Charles Eugene, Duke of Württemberg Charles Eugene (German: ''Carl Eugen''; 11 February 1728 – 24 October 1793), Duke of Württemberg, was the eldest son, and successor, of Charles Alexander; his mother was Princess Marie Auguste of Thurn and Taxis. Life Born in Brussels, he ...
(1728–1793), married
Elisabeth Fredericka Sophie of Brandenburg-Bayreuth Princess Elisabeth Friederike Sophie of Brandenburg-Bayreuth (30 August 1732 – 6 April 1780), was a German princess of the House of Hohenzollern and the Duchess of Württemberg by marriage. Biography Early life She was born in Bayreuth, the ...
; no issue. * Eugen Louis (1729) *
Louis Eugene, Duke of Württemberg Ludwig Eugen, Duke of Württemberg (6 January 1731 – 20 May 1795), was the third son of Duke Karl Alexander and Princess Maria Augusta of Thurn and Taxis (11 August 1706 – 1 February 1756). Marriage He married (morganatically) Countess Sop ...
(1731–1795), married Sophie Albertine of Beichlingen; had issue. *
Frederick II Eugene, Duke of Württemberg Friedrich Eugen, Duke of Württemberg (21 January 1732 – 23 December 1797) was the fourth son of Karl Alexander, Duke of Württemberg, and Princess Maria Augusta of Thurn and Taxis (11 August 1706 – 1 February 1756). He was born in Stuttg ...
(1732–1797), married
Friederike Dorothea of Brandenburg-Schwedt Friederike of Brandenburg-Schwedt (Friederike Sophia Dorothea; 18 December 1736 – 9 March 1798) was Duchess of Württemberg by marriage to Frederick II Eugene, Duke of Württemberg. She is an ancestor to many European royals of the 19th and ...
; had issue. * Alexander Eugen (1733–1734) * Auguste Elisabeth (1734–1787), married
Karl Anselm, 4th Prince of Thurn and Taxis , image = Fürst Carl Anselm.jpg , caption = , reign = 17 March 1773 – 13 November 1805 , reign-type = Period , coronation = , predecessor = Alexander Ferdinand , successor = Karl Alexander , su ...
; 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

Marie Auguste's husband died suddenly on 12 March 1737 on the eve of his departure on a military inspection tour.Wilson, p. 242. This meant that their nine-year-old son Karl Eugen succeeded as
Duke of Württemberg Duke is a male title either of a monarch ruling over a duchy, or of a member of royalty, or nobility. As rulers, dukes are ranked below emperors, kings, grand princes, grand dukes, and sovereign princes. As royalty or nobility, they are ranke ...
. 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.Wilson, p. 243. 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.Wilson, p. 244. 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 The War of the Austrian Succession () was a European conflict that took place between 1740 and 1748. Fought primarily in Central Europe, the Austrian Netherlands, Italy, the Atlantic and Mediterranean, related conflicts included King George's W ...
. 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 Princess Elisabeth Friederike Sophie of Brandenburg-Bayreuth (30 August 1732 – 6 April 1780), was a German princess of the House of Hohenzollern and the Duchess of Württemberg by marriage. Biography Early life She was born in Bayreuth, the ...
, a niece of
Frederick the Great Frederick II (german: Friedrich II.; 24 January 171217 August 1786) was King in Prussia from 1740 until 1772, and King of Prussia from 1772 until his death in 1786. His most significant accomplishments include his military successes in the Sil ...
. 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 in 1753 he became engaged to another niece of Frederick the Great,
Friederike Dorothea of Brandenburg-Schwedt Friederike of Brandenburg-Schwedt (Friederike Sophia Dorothea; 18 December 1736 – 9 March 1798) was Duchess of Württemberg by marriage to Frederick II Eugene, Duke of Württemberg. She is an ancestor to many European royals of the 19th and ...
; he also became one of
Frederick Frederick may refer to: People * Frederick (given name), the name Nobility Anhalt-Harzgerode *Frederick, Prince of Anhalt-Harzgerode (1613–1670) Austria * Frederick I, Duke of Austria (Babenberg), Duke of Austria from 1195 to 1198 * Frederick ...
's most important cavalry commanders. Marie Auguste's influence would decline as her son grew increasingly more independent by 1749. She died on 1 February 1756 in
Göppingen Göppingen ( Swabian: ''Geppenge'' or ''Gebbenga'') is a town in southern Germany, part of the Stuttgart Region of Baden-Württemberg. It is the capital of the district Göppingen. Göppingen is home to the toy company Märklin, and it is the b ...
, Württemberg.


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. 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 The Florentine florin was a gold coin struck from 1252 to 1533 with no significant change in its design or metal content standard during that time. It had 54 grains (3.499 grams, 0.113 troy ounce) of nominally pure or 'fine' gold with a purcha ...
, 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 maintained a correspondence with
Voltaire François-Marie Arouet (; 21 November 169430 May 1778) was a French Age of Enlightenment, Enlightenment writer, historian, and philosopher. Known by his ''Pen name, nom de plume'' M. de Voltaire (; also ; ), he was famous for his wit, and his ...
, and also was a friend of the philosopher Marquis d'Argens.Marquis d'Argens, biography timeline
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Ancestry


References


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. .


External links

{{DEFAULTSORT:Maria Augusta Of Thurn And Taxis, Princess Duchesses of Württemberg 1706 births 1756 deaths German Roman Catholics Princesses of Thurn und Taxis People from Frankfurt Dames Grand Cross of the Order of St John 18th-century women rulers