Louis George, Margrave of Baden-Baden facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Louis George |
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| Margrave of Baden-Baden | |
| Reign | 4 January 1707 – 22 October 1761 |
| Predecessor | Louis William |
| Successor | Augustus George |
| Born | 7 June 1702 Schloss Ettlingen, Germany |
| Died | 22 October 1761 (aged 59) Schloss Rastatt, Germany |
| Burial | Stiftskirche, Baden-Baden |
| Spouse | Maria Anna of Schwarzenberg Duchess Maria Anna Josepha of Bavaria |
| Issue | Elisabeth, Countess of Althann |
| House | Zähringen |
| Father | Louis William of Baden-Baden |
| Mother | Sibylle of Saxe-Lauenburg |
| Religion | Roman Catholicism |
Louis George, Margrave of Baden-Baden (German: Ludwig Georg Simpert; born June 7, 1702 – died October 22, 1761) was a ruler called the Margrave of Baden-Baden. He held this title from 1707 until his death in 1761.
From 1707 to 1727, his mother, Duchess Sibylle of Saxe-Lauenburg, ruled for him because he was too young. Louis George was known for his great love of hunting. Because of this, people nicknamed him Jägerlouis, which means "the hunter Louis." His younger brother, Augustus George, took over after him.
Contents
Life of Louis George
Early Years and Becoming Margrave
Louis George was born at the Ettlingen Palace in Germany. His father was Louis William, Margrave of Baden-Baden, and his mother was Princess Sibylle of Saxe-Lauenburg. From the moment he was born, he was the heir to the Baden-Baden region.
When his father passed away in 1707, Louis George was only four years old. He became the new Margrave of Baden-Baden. A margrave was a type of ruler, similar to a duke or prince, who governed a border region. Since Louis George was so young, his mother, Sibylle, became the regent. This meant she ruled Baden-Baden on his behalf until he was old enough. He officially took full control of his lands on October 22, 1727, when he turned 25.
Family and Marriages
When Louis George was 16, he was interested in Marie Leszczyńska. She was the daughter of a former king of Poland. However, they never married. Marie later became the queen of France, married to Louis XV of France. Louis George's sister, Johanna, also lived at the French court. She married Louis d'Orléans.
In the summer of 1720, Louis George and his mother traveled to Prague. There, he met Princess Maria Anna of Schwarzenberg. She was the daughter of Prince Adam Franz of Schwarzenberg. His mother went to Vienna to get permission for the marriage from Charles VI, Holy Roman Emperor. Permission was granted, and Louis George married Maria Anna on April 8, 1721. They had four children together, but only one lived past childhood. As a wedding gift, his mother gave him a hunting lodge.
Maria Anna passed away in 1755. Louis George then married Princess Maria Anna of Bavaria on July 10, 1755. She was the daughter of Charles VII, Holy Roman Emperor. This second marriage did not result in any children.
A Prosperous State
Thanks to his mother's careful management, Baden-Baden became a rich and successful state again. It had been badly damaged by the French army in the 1690s. His mother made sure the state was no longer in debt. She also greatly increased Louis George's personal wealth. His mother later retired to the Schloss Ettlingen and passed away in 1733.
Passion for Hunting
Louis George's father was a famous military general. However, Louis George's main interest was hunting. He loved it as much as King Louis XV of France loved hunting. This is why he was called Jägerlouis, or "hunter Louis." This nickname was a playful reference to his father's nickname, Türkenlouis ("Turk Louis"). His father got his nickname for his famous battles against the French and the Ottoman Empire.
Louis George was a Royal Colonel of an infantry regiment from 1707 to 1731. However, during the War of the Polish Succession, he mostly spent his time hunting deer in his lands in Bohemia. He only returned after a peace treaty was signed in Vienna in 1735.
Later Life and Death
Louis George passed away at the Schloss Rastatt in October 1761. He was 59 years old. Since he had no sons who lived to adulthood, his brother, Augustus George, became the next ruler. Louis George was buried next to his first wife at the Stiftskirche in Baden-Baden. His second wife, Maria Anna Josepha, moved to Munich. She died there in 1776 and was buried at the Theatine Church.
Children of Louis George
Louis George and his first wife, Maria Anna of Schwarzenberg, had four children:
- Elisabeth Augusta (born March 16, 1726 – died January 7, 1789). She married Michael Wenzel, Count of Althann, but they had no children.
- Charles Louis Damian (born August 25, 1728 – died July 6, 1734). He was the Hereditary Prince of Baden-Baden, meaning he was next in line to rule.
- Louis George (born August 11, 1736 – died March 11, 1737). He was also a Hereditary Prince.
- Johanna (born April 28, 1737 – died April 29, 1737).
