| Charles Alexander | |
|---|---|
 Portrait byMartin van Meytens | |
| Duke of Württemberg | |
| Reign | 31 October 1733 – 12 March 1737 |
| Predecessor | Eberhard Louis |
| Successor | Charles Eugene |
| Born | (1684-01-24)24 January 1684 Stuttgart |
| Died | 12 March 1737(1737-03-12) (aged 53) Ludwigsburg |
| Burial | |
| Spouse | |
| Issue | Charles Eugene, Duke of Württemberg Louis Eugene, Duke of Württemberg Frederick II Eugene, Duke of Württemberg Auguste, Princess of Thurn and Taxis |
| House | Württemberg |
| Father | Frederick Charles, Duke of Württemberg-Winnental |
| Mother | Margravine Eleonore Juliane of Brandenburg-Ansbach |
| Religion | Roman Catholicism (previouslyLutheranism) |
Charles Alexander of Württemberg (24 January 1684 – 12 March 1737) first became aWürttembergDuke (for the Württemberg-Winnental branch) in 1698 after his father's death and then went on to govern theKingdom of Serbia as regent from 1720 until 1733, and then assumed the position ofDuke of Württemberg, which he held until his death.
Charles Alexander was born in the city ofStuttgart (now located in the German state of Baden-Württemberg) as the eldest son ofFrederick Charles, Duke of Württemberg-Winnental and his wife,Eleonore Juliane of Brandenburg-Ansbach.[1] The family's residence was Castle Winnental in Winnenden near Stuttgart.
His German name wasCarl Alexander, as seen in the Stiftskirche Church records of Stuttgart.[2] As a young boy, Carl Alexander was assigned a personal attendant named Wolffgang George Zeiher who served him throughout his childhood and as he became ruling Duke at age fourteen (of the Württemberg-Winnental branch) after his father died.
On May 23, 1691, at age seven, he was listed as "Prinz Carl Alexander von Württemberg" on the list of baptismal sponsors for his personal attendant Wolffgang's newborn son, Christoff.[3] Such a young baptismal sponsor was out of the norm. (In light of the rarity, it may be conjectured that Carl Alexander made a request to participate in the event, or perhaps Carl Alexander was assigned that role as early training for presenting himself ceremonially.) Over the years as Carl Alexander grew up, other members of the royal household are also listed as baptismal sponsors for Wolffgang's children. These include Carl Alexander's mother who was listed as Her Highness ("Ihr Durchlaucht") Eleonora Juliana, baptismal sponsor (godmother) of Wolffgang's daughter, Eleonora Sophia. Also serving as baptismal sponsors for Wolffgang's children were an Administrator of Royal Estate, a royal valet, the royal head baker, a royal pastry chef, the royal button maker, and a royal chambermaid. Each of those people adds a bit of color to the imagery of the household at Castle Winnenden as Carl Alexander grew up.[4][5][6][7][8]
At age fourteen, he began his career as a monarch when he succeeded his father as Duke ofWürttemberg-Winnental (a branch of theHouse of Württemberg) in 1698. He went on to serve in several other roles and wasDuke of Württemberg at the time of his death in 1737.
As a successful army-commander in service of theHoly Roman Emperor, he had converted toRoman Catholicism for political gain and advancement in 1712. He was militarily successful underPrince Eugene of Savoy in theSpanish War of Succession as well as in theOttoman–Venetian War. In 1719 he was appointed imperial governor ofBelgrade.
In 1720 Holy Roman EmperorCharles VI appointed him governor of theKingdom of Serbia in Belgrade. While in this post he marriedPrincess Marie Auguste of Thurn and Taxis (1706–56) in 1727; they had 4 children.
After 13 years of autocratically ruling over Serbia, in 1733 Charles Alexander inherited theDuchy of Württemberg from his cousin,Eberhard Louis. As Duke of Württemberg he moved the court back fromLudwigsburg to the nearby capital ofStuttgart. He ruled over the Duchy until his sudden death in 1737, and was succeeded by his nine-year-old son,Charles Eugene.
During his reign, he employed as his financier the ill-fatedJoseph Süss Oppenheimer, who was executed in 1738 for abuse of office during the reign of the duke.
On 1 May 1727, he marriedPrincess Marie Auguste of Thurn and Taxis (1706–1756). They had 6 children; four of whom survived to adulthood:
KingCharles III is his descendant through his great-grandmotherMary of Teck.
Although the story of Duke Karl Alexander and Joseph Süß Oppenheimer constituted a relatively obscure episode in German history, it became the subject of a number of literary and dramatic treatments over the course of more than a century; the earliest of these having beenWilhelm Hauff's 1827 novella, titledJud Süß.[9] The most successful literary adaptation wasLion Feuchtwanger's 1925novel titledJud Süß based on a play that he had written in 1916 but subsequently withdrew.
Ashley Dukes andPaul Kornfeld also wrote dramatic adaptations of the Feuchtwanger novel. In 1934,Lothar Mendes directed "Jew Süss", a film adaptation of the novel. The role of Karl Alexander was played byFrank Vosper.[10]
Charles Alexander and his relationship with Oppenheimer is fictionally portrayed inVeit Harlan's 1940 Nazi propaganda film titledJud Süß. He is portrayed byHeinrich George.
Although inspired by the historical details of Süß's life, Hauff's novella, Feuchtwanger's novel, and Harlan's film only loosely correspond to the historical sources available at the Landesarchiv Baden-Württemberg.
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Charles Alexander, Duke of Württemberg Born: 24 January 1684 Died: 12 March 1737 | ||
| Regnal titles | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by post established territory governed by GeneralJoseph O'Dwuyer | imperial regent ofKingdom of Serbia 1720–1733 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Duke of Württemberg-Stuttgart 1733–1737 | Succeeded by |
