Christian Henry, Margrave of Brandenburg-Kulmbach facts for kids

Christian Heinrich of Brandenburg-Bayreuth-Kulmbach was a German prince born on July 29, 1661, in Bayreuth. He was part of the important House of Hohenzollern family. He held the title of Margrave of Brandenburg-Bayreuth-Kulmbach, though it was mostly a formal title. He passed away on April 5, 1708, in Weferlingen.

Christian Heinrich's Family Background

Christian Heinrich was the fifth of six children. His parents were Georg Albrecht of Brandenburg-Bayreuth-Kulmbach and Princess Marie Elisabeth of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Glücksburg.

He was the fourth son born to his parents. However, he was the first son to live to be an adult. His older brothers had sadly passed away when they were very young. Christian Heinrich had one younger brother, Karl August, who also lived to adulthood.

Later, Christian Heinrich's father married again. From this second marriage, Christian Heinrich had a half-brother named Georg Albrecht.

Life and Important Decisions

In 1694, Christian Heinrich and his family moved to Castle Schönberg. This castle was in an area called an enclave near the city of Nuremberg. An enclave is a small piece of land that belongs to one area but is surrounded by another.

Christian Heinrich did not have much money and was in debt. So, in 1703, he signed an important agreement called the Contract of Schönberg. With this contract, he gave up his right to become the ruler of the lands of Ansbach and Bayreuth. These lands belonged to his family, the House of Hohenzollern.

In return, King Frederick I of Prussia promised to help Christian Heinrich and his family financially. The King also gave them a new home, the Schloss Weferlingen near Magdeburg.

In 1704, Christian Heinrich and his family moved to Schloss Weferlingen. He lived there for four years before he passed away in 1708. He was 47 years old.

After Christian Heinrich's death, his oldest son, Georg Frederick Karl, worked hard to cancel the Contract of Schönberg. It took many years of talks, but in 1722, his son finally got back the family's right to rule Bayreuth and Ansbach.

Marriage and Children

Christian Heinrich married Countess Sophie Christiane of Wolfstein on August 14, 1687. Their wedding took place at the Castle Obersulzbürg. They had fourteen children together.

Here are some of their children:

1. Georg Frederick Karl (born 1688 – died 1735). He eventually became the ruler of Bayreuth in 1726.
2. Albert Wolfgang (born 1689 – died 1734). He was a soldier and died in battle.
3. Dorothea Charlotte (born 1691 – died 1712).
4. Sophie Magdalene (born 1700 – died 1770). She married King Christian VI of Denmark in 1721.
5. Frederick Ernest (born 1703 – died 1762).
6. Sophie Caroline (born 1705 – died 1764). She married George Albert, Prince of East Frisia.
7. Frederick Christian (born 1708 – died 1769). He was born after his father's death and later became the ruler of Bayreuth in 1763.