Karl Friedrich, Grand Duke of Baden

by Scott Mehl  © Unofficial Royalty 2017

Grand Duchy of Baden: In 1738, ten-year-old, Karl Friedrich succeeded as Margrave of Baden-Durlach upon his grandfather’s death. Baden-Durlach was one of the branches of the Margraviate of Baden, which had been divided several times over the previous 500 years. When August George, the last Margrave of Baden-Baden, died in 1771 without heirs, Karl Friedrich inherited the territory. This brought all of the Baden territories together once again, and Karl Friedrich became Margrave of Baden. Upon the end of the Holy Roman Empire, Karl Friedrich declared himself sovereign, as Grand Duke of the newly created Grand Duchy of Baden. Friedrich II, the last Grand Duke of Baden formally abdicated the throne of Baden on November 22, 1918. The land that encompassed the Grand Duchy of Baden is now located in the German state of Baden-Württemberg.

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Karl Friedrich, Grand Duke of Baden – source: Wikipedia

Karl Friedrich was the first Grand Duke of Baden, reigning from 1806 until 1811. He was born in Karlsruhe, Margraviate of Baden-Durlach, now in Baden-Württemberg, Germany on November 22, 1728, the son of Hereditary Prince Friedrich of Baden-Durlach and Princess Amalia of Nassau-Dietz. Karl Friedrich had one younger brother:

  • Wilhelm Ludwig (1732 – 1788), married Wilhelmine Christine Schortmann morganatically, had issue

In 1738, at just ten years old, Karl Friedrich succeeded as Margrave of Baden-Durlach upon his grandfather’s death. Baden-Durlach was one of the branches of the ancient Margraviate of Baden, which had been divided several times over the previous 500 years. When the last Margrave of Baden-Baden, August Georg, died in 1771 without heirs, Karl Friedrich inherited the territory. This brought all the Baden territories together and Karl Friedrich became Margrave of Baden.

Baden’s domains were widespread, and Karl Friedrich made it his mission to try and gain some of the territory in between. When he joined forces with Austria in the war with France in 1792, Baden had to give up his territories on the left bank of the Rhine to France. A few years later, fighting along with the Russians against Napoleon, he was able to expand Baden, and the Margraviate was elevated to an Electorate within the Holy Roman Emperor.

Karl Friedrich further expanded Baden in 1805, when he fought on the side of the French, gaining territories from the Austrian Empire. In 1806, he joined the Confederation of the Rhine, and upon the end of the Holy Roman Empire, Karl Friedrich declared himself sovereign, as Grand Duke of the newly created Grand Duchy of Baden. He continued to support the French, and in the Peace of Vienna in 1809, he gained more territory from the Kingdom of Württemberg. Through his efforts, Karl Friedrich had quadrupled the size of the Grand Duchy of Baden by the end of his reign.

Karoline Luise of Hesse-Darmstadt. source: Wikipedia

Karl Friedrich was married twice. His first wife was Karoline Luise of Hesse-Darmstadt, who he married on January 28, 1751. She was the daughter of Ludwig VIII, Landgrave of Hesse-Darmstadt and Charlotte of Hanau-Lichtenberg. Karl Friedrich and Karoline Luise had four children:

Luise Karoline, Baroness Geyer von Geyersberg. source: Wikipedia

Following Karoline Luise’s death in 1783, Karl Friedrich married again – morganatically – on November 24, 1787. His bride was Luise Karoline, Baroness Geyer von Geyersberg. She was created Baroness of Hochberg – and later Countess of Hochberg – a title which would pass to their five children, Years later, in 1817, the children from this marriage were given succession rights and were elevated to Prince/Princess of Baden.

At the age of 82, Grand Duke Karl Friedrich I on June 10, 1811, in Karlsruhe, Grand Duchy of Baden, now in Baden-Württemberg, Germany. He was buried in St. Michael’s Church in Pforzheim, Grand Duchy of Baden, now in Baden-Württemberg, Germany.

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