Ernest Frederick, Margrave of Baden-Durlach

Ernest Frederick of Baden-Durlach (born 17 October 1560 in Durlach – died 14 April 1604 in Remchingen) ruled the northern part of the Margraviate of Baden-Durlach. He came to power when he came of age in 1584. He founded the first Gymnasium Illustrie in the margraviate. His conversion from the Lutheranism to Calvinism and his occupation of Upper Baden caused serious conflicts – even with the Emperor – the consequences of which damaged Lower Baden and ultimately also led to losses of territory.

Ernest Frederick, Margrave of Baden-Durlach
Margrave Ernest Frederick of Baden-Durlach - copper engraving of a coin
Born	17 October 1560 Durlach
Died	14 April 1604 (aged 43) Remchingen
Noble family	House of Zähringen
Spouse(s)	Anna of East Frisia
Father	Charles II, Margrave of Baden-Durlach
Mother	Anna of Veldenz

Life

Ernest Frederick was the eldest son of the Margrave Charles II of Baden-Durlach and Anna of Veldenz. From 1577 onwards, he received his education at the court of his guardian, the Lutheran Duke Louis III of Württemberg.

The regency 1577–1584

After his father's death, a regency council was formed, consisting of his mother Anna, Elector Palatine Louis VI, Elector Palatine (until 1583), Duke Philip Louis of Neuburg and Duke Louis "the Pious" of Württemberg. The council ruled Margraviate of Baden-Durlach on his behalf when he inherited it as a minor.

The division of territories

Ernest Frederick and Charles II's second oldest son, James, both wanted to own dominions. Charles II's last will and testament forbade that, but it had not been signed and sealed, so the remaining guardians decided to give them their way and divide the country. Ernest Frederick received Lower Baden, including the large towns of Durlach and Pforzheim.[1]

His younger brothers James and George Frederick also received parts of the country, so that the land was further divided beyond the existing division into Baden-Durlach, Baden-Baden. The Margraviate of Baden-Hachberg fell back to Ernest Frederick in 1590 after James's death. His youngest brother George Frederick was able to reunite the whole Margraviate of Baden-Durlach after's Ernest Frederick's death.

Marriage

Margrave Ernest Frederick married on 21 December 1585 Anna of East Frisia (26 June 1562 – 21 April 1621), the daughter of Count Edzard II of East Frisia and widow of his guardian. The marriage produced no children.

Ancestors

Ancestors of Ernest Frederick, Margrave of Baden-Durlach

16. Charles I, Margrave of Baden-Baden 8. Christopher I, Margrave of Baden 17. Catherine of Austria 4. Ernest, Margrave of Baden-Durlach 18. Philip II of Katzenelnbogen 9. Ottilie of Katzenelnbogen 19. Ottilie of Nassau 2. Charles II, Margrave of Baden-Durlach 20. Wolf of Rosenfeld 10. Wolf of Rosenfeld 21. Margaretha Gremlich 5. Ursula of Rosenfeld 22. Wilhelm Bombast of Hohenheim 11. Anna Bombast of Hohenheim 23. Agnes Speth 1. Ernest Frederick, Margrave of Baden-Durlach 24. Louis I, Count Palatine of Zweibrücken 12. Alexander, Count Palatine of Zweibrücken 25. Johanna of Croÿ 6. Rupert, Count Palatine of Veldenz 26. Kraft VI, Count of Hohenlohe-Weikersheim 13. Margarete of Hohenlohe-Neuenstein 27. Helene of Württemberg 3. Anna of Veldenz 28. John VI, Wild- and Rhinegrave of Dhaun-Kyrburg 14. John VII, Wild- and Rhinegrave of Salm-Kyrburg 29. Johanna of Moers-Saarwerden 7. Ursula of Salm-Kyrburg 30. Philip of Isenburg-Ronneburg 15. Anna of Isenburg-Büdingen 31. Amalia of Rieneck

Footnotes

1. Baumann, p. 21-22