The Grand Ducal House of Hesse, a dynasty that has played a significant role in European royal history, is the subject of a comprehensive and authoritative review. This review delves into the intricate web of relationships between the Hesse family and other prominent European royal families, including Imperial Russia and the British Royal Family, providing a fascinating glimpse into the lives of these influential figures.
From the division of the vast lands of Landgrave Philipp "the Magnificent" in 1567 to the establishment of primogeniture under Ludwig IV in 1626, the book takes readers on a journey through the complex history of the Hesse family. The authors' access to interviews with members of the extended Hesse family, including the late Countess Mountbatten of Burma and Prince Alfred of Prussia, adds a personal touch to the narrative, offering unique insights into the lives of these historical figures. The book is also richly illustrated with previously unpublished photographs, showcasing the family's connections and interactions across generations[1].
what is the grand ducal house of hesse
The Grand Ducal House of Hesse is a European royal dynasty that has played a significant role in European history. It originated from the division of the vast lands of Landgrave Philipp "the Magnificent" in 1567 among his four sons, leading to the establishment of various branches of the Hesse family. The Grand Ducal House of Hesse is particularly notable for its strong connections to Imperial Russia and the British Royal Family, making it an engrossing subject for historical analysis.what is the history of the grand ducal house of hesse
The Grand Ducal House of Hesse, a prominent European royal dynasty, has its roots in the division of the vast lands of Landgrave Philipp "the Magnificent" in 1567 among his four sons. This territorial division led to the establishment of various branches of the Hesse family, with the Landgraviate of Hesse-Darmstadt becoming an independent Duchy in the same year.
The early years of the dynasty were marked by a succession of reshuffling of territories, as lands were traded, exchanged, or inherited when branches of the family died out. It wasn't until Ludwig IV (died 1626) that primogeniture was established, providing a clearer line of succession for the family.
The family played a significant role in European history, particularly during various wars. The sons of the house were soldiers and patrons of the arts, with notable examples including Landgrave Ernest Ludwig, who built Wolfsgarten in the 1720s, and Ludwig II, who acquired Schloss Heiligenberg and later became the scene of many family gatherings between the Hesse and Romanov families.
In 1806, Landgrave Ludwig X became Grand Duke Ludwig I, courtesy of Napoleon and the Confederation of the Rhine. This marked the beginning of the Grand Ducal House of Hesse and by Rhine, which would go on to have strong connections with Imperial Russia and the British Royal Family.
The family's history is also notable for its romantic and tragic aspects. Ludwig II was succeeded by the childless Ludwig III, and it was his nephew, the future Ludwig IV, who brought in the British connection when he married Princess Alice, second daughter of Queen Victoria. Their daughter Victoria married Alexander and Julie’s son Prince Louis of Battenberg and became the mother of Princess Alice (wife of Prince Andrew of Greece), Queen Louise of Sweden, George the Marquess of Milford Haven, and Earl Mountbatten of Burma.
The family suffered tragedy after tragedy, including the deaths of two daughters, Alix (wife of Nicholas II) and Ella (wife of Grand Duke Sergei Alexandrovich), at the hands of the Bolsheviks in 1918. Ernst Ludwig, a grandson of Queen Victoria, was the last Grand Duke of Hesse and by Rhine. He refused to abdicate but lost his throne on November 9, 1918, although he was allowed to remain in Hesse and retain several family properties.
The Grand Ducal House of Hesse has left a lasting mark on European history, particularly in the region of the Rhineland, where their influence is palpable in nearly every aspect of the region's history, arts, letters, music, and architecture.what were the major events in the history of the grand ducal house of hesse
The Grand Ducal House of Hesse has a rich history marked by significant events that shaped the dynasty and its connections to other European royal families. Some major events in the history of the Grand Ducal House of Hesse include: Division of Hesse in 1567: The sons of Landgrave Philipp "the Magnificent" divided his vast lands among themselves, leading to the establishment of various branches of the Hesse family. Establishment of Primogeniture (1626): Ludwig IV introduced primogeniture, providing a clearer line of succession for the family. Napoleonic Era (1806): Landgrave Ludwig X became Grand Duke Ludwig I, courtesy of Napoleon and the Confederation of the Rhine. This marked the beginning of the Grand Ducal House of Hesse and by Rhine. British Connection (1862): Ludwig IV married Princess Alice, second daughter of Queen Victoria, establishing a strong connection between the Hesse and British royal families. Russian Connections: Marie, a child of Ludwig II's second family, married Alexander II of Russia, while Alexander, another child, married Countess Julie von Hauke and became the ancestor of the Battenberg family. Tragic Losses (1918): Two daughters, Alix (wife of Nicholas II) and Ella (wife of Grand Duke Sergei Alexandrovich), met their deaths at the hands of the Bolsheviks. Ernst Ludwig, a grandson of Queen Victoria, was the last Grand Duke of Hesse and by Rhine. German Unification (1871): The Grand Duchy of Hesse was one of the founding states of the German Empire, which was proclaimed on January 18, 1871. Expansion of Relations with the United States (1868): The relations between the United States and the Grand Duchy of Hesse continued to expand through the 1860s, with the signing of a naturalization treaty on August 1, 1868. Cessation of Relations with Imperial Germany (1917): On February 3, 1917, the United States severed diplomatic relations with Imperial Germany, effectively ending relations with Hesse as part of the German Empire.
To purchase:
“Royal Collections IV. The Grand Ducal House of Hesse” by Arturo E. Béeche and Ilana D Miller. (Eurohistory.com), 324 pages, illustrated throughout.
The Grand Ducal House of Hesse is among the most important of all the German dynasties, providing links to just about every other ruling family in Europe. There are particularly strong ties with Imperial Russia and the Royal family of Britain, which makes for an engrossing read.
The story begins in 1567 when the sons of Landgrave Philipp “the Magnificent” divided his vast lands among themselves. From this territorial division stem all the branches of the Hesse family. The Landgraviate of Hesse-Darmstadt became an independent Duchy that same year.
The early years are a succession of reshuffling of territories, as lands were traded, exchanged or inherited when branches of the family died out. Not until Ludwig IV (died 1626) was primogeniture established.
Darmstadt was also in the front line during various wars. The sons of the house were soldiers and patrons of the arts. Landgrave Ernest Ludwig built Wolfsgarten in the 1720s, which became beloved by later generations.
In 1806 Landgrave Ludwig X became Grand Duke Ludwig I, courtesy of Napoleon and the Confederation of the Rhine. At this time the Old Palace was built.
Schloss Heiligenberg came into the family in the time of Ludwig II. It later became the scene of many family gatherings between the Hesse and Romanov families. Ludwig’s wife Wilhelmine had a second family, believed to be fathered by August Senarclens de Grancy but officially recognised by the Grand Duke as his own. One of these children, Marie, married Alexander II of Russia; the other, Alexander, made a morganatic union with Countess Julie von Hauke and became the ancestor of the Battenberg family.
Ludwig II was succeeded by the childless Ludwig III and it was the latter’s nephew the future Ludwig IV who brought in the British connection when in 1862 he married Princess Alice, second daughter of Queen Victoria. Their daughter Victoria married Alexander and Julie’s son Prince Louis of Battenberg and became the mother of Princess Alice (wife of Prince Andrew of Greece), Queen Louise of Sweden, George the Marquess of Milford Haven and Earl Mountbatten of Burma. Princess Alice of Greece was the mother of the Duke of Edinburgh.
The family of Alice and Ludwig IV suffered tragedy after tragedy. Two daughters, Alix (wife of Nicholas II) and Ella (wife of Grand Duke Sergei Alexandrovich) met their deaths in 1918 at the hands of the Bolsheviks. Ernest Ludwig died just a month before his son George Donatus, his wife Cecile of Greece and their two sons were wiped out in an air crash in thick fog on their way to the wedding of George’s brother Ludwig and Margaret Geddes. Their third child died shortly afterwards from Meningitis. Despite all this Ludwig and Margaret (or Lu and Peg as they were known) devoted themselves to the welfare of the people of Darmstadt, becoming humanitarians and patrons of the arts. Unfortunately, their marriage remained childless and marked the end of the line. The royal turn-out for Peg’s funeral in 1997 shows how popular she was among her adopted family.
The final chapter looks at the women of the Hesse-Darmstadt family (who vastly outnumbered the males). The often-neglected female line provides the ancestors of just about every Royal family in Europe, the daughters of Landgrave Louis IX being particularly active in his respect.
The authors had the advantage of interviews with many members of the extended Hesse family, including the late Countess Mountbatten of Burma and Prince Alfred of Prussia, who provided some fascinating insights into the life of his father Prince Sigismund in Costa Rica. Prince Alfred attended a Eurohistory Conference in California in 2000 (I never forgot the sight of his queuing with the rest of us in a fast food chain).
As usual with Eurohistory, the book is packed with magnificent photos, many of them previously unpublished. They show that there was a lot of mingling between the various branches of the family, something that has often been played down more recently because of the German links The Duke of Edinburgh’s sisters all married Germans and there are some wonderful pictures of Prince Philip with his German relations, which in the U.K. we don’t often see. I found it particularly interesting to see photos of buildings in Darmstadt destroyed in the Second World War and I also spotted a rare image of a smiling Empress Alexandra Feodorovna of Russia among a group on page 135.
The text is authoritative, well researched and easy to read. This work is a “must” for all devotees of European royal history. A fascinating read, highly recommended.
By Coryne Hall
–//–
To order at EUROHISTORY:
To order at AMAZON:
The Grand Ducal House of Hesse
6300 Kensington Avenue
East Richmond Heights, CA 94805
USA
Phone: 510.236.1730
Email: books@eurohistory.com / eurohistory@comcast.net / aebeeche@mac.com
As we conclude our exploration of the Grand Ducal House of Hesse, we are reminded of the profound impact this European royal dynasty has had on the course of history. From the division of the vast lands of Landgrave Philipp "the Magnificent" in 1567 to the establishment of primogeniture under Ludwig IV in 1626, the family's story is woven into the fabric of European royal history. The connections between the Hesse family and other prominent royal families, including Imperial Russia and the British Royal Family, are a testament to the complex web of relationships that have shaped the continent's past.
As we bid farewell to this fascinating chapter in European history, we are left with a deeper appreciation for the Grand Ducal House of Hesse's enduring legacy. The family's influence extends far beyond the borders of their ancestral lands, touching the lives of countless individuals and shaping the course of events that have shaped the world we live in today. Whether through their military conquests, artistic patronage, or diplomatic endeavors, the Hesse family has left an indelible mark on the world. As we close this chapter, we are reminded of the power of family and the enduring impact that individuals can have on the world around them.
No comments:
Post a Comment