Adolphus Frederick II facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Adolphus Frederick II |
|
|---|---|
| Duke of Mecklenburg-Strelitz | |
 |
|
| Duke of Mecklenburg-Strelitz | |
| Reign | 8 March 1701 – 12 May 1708 |
| Predecessor | Friedrich Wilhelm |
| Successor | Adolf Friedrich III |
| Born | 19 October 1658 Grabow |
| Died | 12 May 1708 (aged 49) |
| Spouse |
Princess Maria of Mecklenburg-Güstrow
(m. 1684; died 1701)Princess Johanna of Saxe-Gotha
(m. 1702; died 1704)Princess Christiane Emilie of Schwarzburg-Sondershausen
(m. 1705) |
| Issue Detail |
|
| House | Mecklenburg-Strelitz |
| Father | Adolf Frederick I |
| Mother | Maria Katharina of Brunswick-Dannenberg |
| Religion | Lutheranism |
Adolphus Frederick II (born October 19, 1658 – died May 12, 1708) was an important German ruler. He was the very first Duke of a place called Mecklenburg-Strelitz. He ruled this area from 1701 until he passed away. Mecklenburg-Strelitz was a part of the Holy Roman Empire, which was a large group of lands in Central Europe.
His Early Life and Family
Adolphus Frederick II was born in a town called Grabow. He was born after his father, Duke Adolf Frederick I of Mecklenburg, had already died. His mother was Maria Katharina of Brunswick-Dannenberg.
Becoming a Duke
In 1695, a part of the ruling family, the Mecklenburg-Güstrow branch, ended because there were no more direct heirs. Adolphus Frederick's nephew, Frederick William, Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin, wanted to take over all the land. But Adolphus Frederick disagreed and wanted some of it for himself.
This disagreement was settled in 1701. The land of Mecklenburg-Güstrow was divided between the two family members. Frederick William received the Duchy of Mecklenburg-Schwerin. Adolphus Frederick received the Principality of Ratzeburg and the Lordship of Stargard. He also got the areas of Mirow and Nemerow. He combined these lands to create the new Duchy of Mecklenburg-Strelitz.
After Adolphus Frederick II died in 1708, his son, Adolphus Frederick III, became the next Duke.
Adolphus Frederick II's Marriages and Children
Adolphus Frederick II was married three times and had several children.
His first marriage was in 1684 to Marie of Mecklenburg-Güstrow. She was born on July 19, 1659, and passed away on January 16, 1701. They had five children together:
- Adolphus Frederick III, Duke of Mecklenburg-Strelitz (born June 7, 1686 – died December 11, 1752). He later became Duke.
- Duchess Magdalena Amalia of Mecklenburg-Strelitz (born April 25, 1689 – died April 28, 1689).
- Duchess Maria of Mecklenburg-Strelitz (born and died August 7, 1690).
- Duchess Eleonore Wilhelmina of Mecklenburg-Strelitz (born July 8, 1691 – died July 9, 1691).
- Duchess Gustave Caroline of Mecklenburg-Strelitz (born July 12, 1694 – died April 13, 1748). She married Christian Ludwig II, Duke of Mecklenburg.
On June 20, 1702, Adolphus Frederick II married for the second time to Princess Johanna of Saxe-Gotha. She was born on October 1, 1680, and died on July 9, 1704. They did not have any children.
His third marriage took place on June 10, 1705, in Neustrelitz. He married Princess Christiane Emilie of Schwarzburg-Sondershausen. She was born on March 13, 1681, and died on November 1, 1751. They had two children:
- Duchess Sophia Christina Louise of Mecklenburg-Strelitz (born October 12, 1706 – died December 22, 1708).
- Duke Charles I Louis Frederick of Mecklenburg-Strelitz (born February 23, 1708 – died June 5, 1752). He was known as the Prince of Mirow.
It's interesting to know that through his granddaughter Charlotte, Adolphus Frederick is an ancestor of every British monarch starting with George IV. George IV became king of the United Kingdom in 1820.
