Josias I, Count of Waldeck-Eisenberg facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Josias I, Count of Waldeck-Eisenberg
Count of Waldeck-Eisenberg
Coat of arms
Reign	1578–1588
Predecessor	Wolrad II
Successor	Christian Wolrad IV
Full name	Josias I Count of Waldeck-Eisenberg
Native name	Josias I. Graf von Waldeck-Eisenberg
Born	Josias Graf von Waldeck-Eisenberg (1554-03-18)18 March 1554 Eisenberg Castle
Died	6 August 1588(1588-08-06) (aged 34) Eisenberg Castle
Buried	9 August 1588 Saint Nicholas Church [de], Korbach
Noble family	House of Waldeck
Spouse(s)	Mary of Barby and Mühlingen
Issue Detail	Christian Wolrad IV
Father	Wolrad II of Waldeck-Eisenberg
Mother	Anastasia Günthera of Schwarzburg-Blankenburg

Count Josias I of Waldeck-Eisenberg (born 18 March 1554 – died 6 August 1588) was a German nobleman. He became the Count of Waldeck-Eisenberg in 1578 and ruled until his death. A "Count" was a powerful ruler of a specific area, similar to a duke or prince.

During his ten years as ruler, Josias worked hard to improve his state. He started important changes in how the government was run. He also reformed the churches. His main goal was to make his county stronger and more independent from other powerful regions like Hesse. Josias was seen as a leader among the other counts in the Waldeck family.

Josias's Early Life and Education

The ruins of Eisenberg Castle in 2015.

Josias was born at Eisenberg Castle on 18 March 1554. He was the sixth child of Count Wolrad II 'the Scholar' and Countess Anastasia Günthera of Schwarzburg-Blankenburg. Sadly, his two older brothers passed away when they were young.

Josias received a very good education. He was known for being disciplined and avoiding unhealthy habits. In 1570, he joined the court in Kassel. There, he served Landgrave William IV of Hesse-Kassel. He later met Elector Augustus of Saxony, who hired him a few months later. Josias even took part in some military campaigns in East Frisia.

Becoming Count of Waldeck-Eisenberg

Josias returned to Waldeck in February 1577. After his father died in 1578, Josias took over ruling the part of the county given to him. He moved the main government office, called the chancellery, from Eilhausen to Korbach. Even as a count, he continued to serve the Elector of Saxony and visited Dresden many times.

One of his first big achievements was helping to create a modern state school. This school, called a Gymnasium Illustre, was set up in a former Franciscan monastery in Korbach. He got approval from other Waldeck counts and even the local cities, with whom he often disagreed.

To pay for the school, properties from Berich Abbey [de] were sold. The school opened in 1579, and even the 15-year-old Count Wolrad III [nl] attended it. However, there were some disagreements about the school's Protestant teachings. Some professors left in 1586 to teach at a different school, the Academia Nassauensis, which followed Calvinist ideas. Josias, however, preferred the traditional Lutheranism.

Strengthening the County

Josias also worked to make his county stronger and more independent. In 1581, he introduced a new set of rules for the land. This was a step towards creating a complete set of laws for the county. He hired skilled civil servants who worked for the county's best interests, not for Hesse.

Sadly, Josias could not finish all his plans. He died suddenly on 6 August 1588 at Eisenberg Castle. He was buried in the Saint Nicholas Church [de] in Korbach on 9 August 1588. His young sons, Christian and Wolrad IV, took over as counts. Their mother and Count Francis III of Waldeck-Landau [de] helped them rule until they were old enough.

Marriage and Children

Josias married Countess Mary of Barby and Mühlingen in 1582. She was born in Magdeburg on 8 April 1563. Mary was the daughter of Count Albrecht X of Barby and Mühlingen.

Josias and Mary had four children:

• Mary Anastasia (born 31 March 1584 – died 5 March 1585).
• Count Christian (born 24/25 December 1585 – died 31 December 1637). He became Count of Waldeck-Eisenberg after his father.
• Juliane (born 11 April 1587 – died 28 February 1622).
• Count Wolrad IV (born 7 July 1588 – died 6 October 1640). He also became Count of Waldeck-Eisenberg after his father.

After Josias died, his widow Mary married Count George III of Erbach in 1592. She was later buried next to Josias in the Saint Nicholas Church in Korbach.

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