Difference between revisions of "Friedrich I"

Revision as of 19:33, 7 May 2015

Frederick I (1659-1729), also known as Frederick Balkronn, was the first King of Brasland and the founder of the House of Balkronn, the dynasty that has reigned in the country for more than three centuries.

He was born as a younger son of Hercules Balkronn and his wife, née Maria von Reitzenstein. The Balkronns were a very old family that belonged to the lower nobility of Brasland. Their ancestral seat, Balkronn Castle, had been in the family for about four hundred years by the time of Frederick's birth.

As his older brother Adam was expected to inherit the family's modest possessions, Frederick enlisted in the Imperial Army, and served abroad for many years. He returned to his country as a skilled strategist, also known for his bravery in the battlefield.

During the rebellion against the empire, Frederick took an active role and became the de facto leader of the Braslanders, while Count Ulrich von Henslen kept the nominal leadership. After the country's independence was recognized, Frederick was crowned King of Brasland and married one of the Count's daughters, Caroline.

Frederick strenghtened the Armed Forces, promoted trade, favored good relations with the Catholic Church (the official church in the country) and ordered the building of palaces, libraries and monuments. He relied very extensively on the advice of his younger brother, Lazarus Balkronn, who was his Minister of Interior.

After his coronation, there was one attempt to depose him, but it was firmly suppressed and it ended with the execution of its leader, Count Hieronymus von Meissenfeld.

King Frederick and Queen Caroline had ten children: Frederick II (born 1700), Princess Maria (1701-1718), Princess Eleonore (born and died 1703), Prince Adam (1704-1707), Princess Caroline (born 1706), Prince Ulrich (1707-1741), Princess Marie Therese (born 1709), Princess Antonia (born 1711), Princess Elisabeth (born and died 1712), Prince Adam (born and died 1713).

After his death, he was succeeded by his eldest son, Frederick II.