Eitel Frederick II, Prince of Hohenzollern-Hechingen facts for kids

Eitel Frederick II of Hohenzollern-Hechingen (Hechingen, 1601 - Issenheim, 11 July 1661) was an important leader. He was the second Prince of Hohenzollern-Hechingen. He also served as a general in the Thirty Years' War.

Life Story

Eitel Frederick was the oldest son of Prince Johann Georg, Prince of Hohenzollern-Hechingen (1577–1623). His mother was Countess Franziska von Salm-Neufville. His father made sure he got a good education. Eitel Frederick studied at universities in Vienna and Ingolstadt. He also traveled to Italy and France to learn more.

Becoming a Prince

In 1623, Eitel Frederick became Prince of Hohenzollern-Hechingen. He took over after his father. He also led a group of soldiers for Emperor Ferdinand II. Eitel Frederick was a strong supporter of the Catholic Church. Because of this, he helped the Habsburg family during the Thirty Years' War. This war was a big conflict in Europe.

The War and Hohenzollern Castle

His home, Hohenzollern Castle, was very important during the war. It was in a key location. Many of the areas around his principality were Protestant. This made the castle a target. In 1634, the castle was attacked and damaged by Swedish and Württemberg armies.

The next year, the Emperor's troops took the castle back. It stayed under the control of the Habsburg family until 1798. They paid Eitel Frederick 5,000 guilders each year for this.

The Thirty Years' War made life very hard for the people in Hohenzollern-Hechingen. Eitel Frederick also had money problems. He had to sell some of his valuable lands to get by.

Later Life and Death

In 1653, Eitel Frederick became a Prince of the Holy Roman Empire. This was a high honor. He was allowed to join the Imperial Diet in Regensburg. This was a big meeting where important decisions were made.

In 1661, Eitel Frederick was hurt in České Budějovice. He died soon after. He did not have any sons to take his place. So, his brother Philipp became the next Prince.

Family Life

On March 19, 1630, Eitel Frederick married Maria Elisabeth II van den Bergh. She was from a noble family. They had two children together:

• A son who was stillborn in 1632.
• Franziska (1642–1698). She later became the Margravine of Bergen Op Zoom. She married Frédéric Maurice.

Sources

• Gustav Schilling: Geschichte des Hauses Hohenzollern, F. Fleischer, 1843, Page 228.
• Heinrich August Pierer: Pierer's Universal-Lexikon der Vergangenheit und Gegenwart: oder, Neuestes encyclopädisches Wörterbuch der Wissenschaften, Künste und Gewerbe, Band 8, 1859, S. 465 (Google Books)
• Johann Samuel Ersch: Allgemeine Encyclopädie der Wissenschaften und Künste, J. f. Gleditsch, 1832, S. 418 (Google Books)

See also

In Spanish: Eitel Federico V de Hohenzollern-Hechingen para niños