Meinrad I, Prince of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Meinrad I, Prince of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen |
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| Meinrad I, Prince of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen | |
| Spouse(s) | Anna Marie of Törring at Seefeld |
| Noble family | House of Hohenzollern |
| Father | Johann, Prince of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen |
| Mother | Johanna of Hohenzollern-Hechingen |
| Born | 1605 Munich |
| Died | 30 January 1681 Sigmaringen |
Meinrad I of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen was an important Prince who ruled the area of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen. He was born in Munich in 1605 and passed away in Sigmaringen on January 30, 1681. He became Prince in 1638 and ruled until he died.
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Early Life and the Thirty Years' War
Meinrad I was the son of Johann, Prince of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen and Countess Johanna of Hohenzollern-Hechingen. His father worked as a top advisor for Duke Maximilian I of Bavaria in Munich. This is why Meinrad was born there.
A very big conflict called the Thirty Years' War greatly affected Meinrad's life. When he was just 17 years old, he joined the Bavarian army. He fought in important battles, serving under famous generals like Tilly and Pappenheim. He even helped fight against Protestant rebels in Austria. Later, he became a trusted advisor to the Duke of Bavaria.
Rebuilding and Ruling Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen
When Meinrad became Prince of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen in 1638, the region was in a very bad state. The long war had caused a lot of damage and made the area poor.
Meinrad decided to rebuild and improve the castles in his lands. He hired a well-known architect named Michael Beer to help. They worked on Sigmaringen Castle and Haigerloch Castle.
Sigmaringen Castle had been taken over by Swedish forces in 1633. Later that year, a Catholic army took it back. But during the fight, part of the castle was destroyed by fire. Between 1658 and 1659, Meinrad had this damaged part rebuilt. He used his own money, which he got from his father and his wife's family, to pay for the repairs.
Meinrad I died on January 30, 1681. After his death, his lands were divided between his two sons, as he wished. His oldest son, Maximilian I, received Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen. His younger son, Franz Anton, inherited Hohenzollern-Haigerloch.
Family and Children
Meinrad married Anna Marie on May 7, 1635. She was the daughter of Baron Ferdinand of Törring at Seefeld. Meinrad and Anna Marie had many children, nineteen in total!
Here are some of their children:
- Maximilian I (1636–1689), who became Prince of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen.
- Johann Karl (1637–1637).
- Maria Anna (1638–1638).
- Franz Ferdinand (1639–1662), who died in a hunting accident.
- Maria Johanna (1640–1707), who became a Prioress (a leader in a religious community) at Inzigkofen Abbey.
- Meinrad (1641–1642).
- Christoph (1642–1642).
- Maria Magdalena (1643–1663).
- Ignaz (stillborn, 1643).
- Maria Menodora (1644–1664), who became a nun.
- Maria Katharina (1645–1645).
- Maria Theresa (1647–1647).
- Johann Meinrad (1648–1648).
- Maria Franziska (1649–1712), who also became Prioress of Inzigkofen Abbey.
- Stillborn son (1650).
- Johann Felix (1651–1651).
- Anna Maria (1654–1678), who married Count Anton Eusebius of Koenigsegg-Aulendorf.
- Stillborn son (1655).
- Franz Anton (1657–1702), who inherited Hohenzollern-Haigerloch and died in battle.
See also
