Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha Ernest II, Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha

1 duke of saxe-coburg , gotha

1.1 development of constitution
1.2 schleswig-holstein wars
1.3 nomination greek throne
1.4 austro-prussian , franco-prussian wars
1.5 later years

duke of saxe-coburg , gotha

on 29 january 1844, ernest s father died in gotha, 1 of territories family had acquired. ernest consequently succeeded duchies of saxe-coburg , gotha ernest ii.

development of constitution

extravagant great degree, ernest had many money troubles throughout reign. in january 1848, ernest visited brother in midst of political unrest in germany. upon return, discovered unrest in coburg. 1 of many concerns related finances. although ernest had large inheritance, had frequent debts. there increasing calls nationalize of property. indeed, albert had intervene @ 1 point , spare brother embarrassment of losing 1 of coburg properties.

during 1848 turmoil in germany, albert had been constructing own liberal reform plan, under single monarch, chancellor, , parliament unite german states; in addition, each state retain own current ruling dynasty. plan pertained brother, ernest given copy in hope develop own liberal constitution. ernest subsequently made few concessions, position remained sound, not counting increasing problem of debts. constitution drafted , promulgated in 1849 in gotha, though 1 had existed in coburg since 1821. in 1852, both constitutions converged one, converted personal union of 2 duchies real union; duchies inseparable, common set of institutions. during political turmoil, timely concessions , ernest s popular habit of mingling people in pleasures instrumental in keeping him losing throne. furthermore, various contemporary sources state ernest able, , popular ruler, may have helped keep him in power.

schleswig-holstein wars


a bust of ernest @ landestheater in coburg. ernest strong enthusiast music , plays life, , artistic force behind many popular in germany.

from 1848 1864, denmark , german confederation fought on control of 2 duchies of schleswig , holstein. historically, duchies had been ruled denmark since medieval times, there remained large german majority. majority sparked rebellion after frederick vii of denmark announced on 27 march 1848 duchies become integral part of denmark under new liberal constitution. prussia became involved, supporting uprising , beginning first schleswig war. ernest sent 8,000 men initially, adding army sent german confederation. desired given military job during war, refused, extremely difficult offer me position in army of schleswig-holstein corresponding rank , according memoirs. agreed smaller command, coming lead thuringian contingent; commented in letter brother should have declined other command of kind, not refuse one, as, in present condition of our states, important keep executive power in our hands . commander of german corps, ernest instrumental in winning 5 april 1849 battle of eckernförde against danish forces.

the first war ended in 1851, resume in 1864. during interlude, ernest fervently opposed marriage of nephew albert edward, prince of wales ( bertie ) princess alexandra of denmark, daughter of future christian ix of denmark (and therefore enemy of german states). believed such match flew in face of german interests. albert replied angrily has got you?... vicky has racked brains find someone, in vain...we have no [other reasonable] choice . albert agreed there going problems match, find no alternative bride, wrote ernest keeping affair private matter (and outside realm of government) way prevent break prussia , way keep game in our own hands, impose conditions think necessary, , far can, take off political edge . albert warned son of ernest s endeavors interfere match, commenting, uncle...will try hand @ work. best defence not enter on subject, should broach .

soon after writing these letters, prince albert died on 14 december 1861. death helped ernest repair relationship sister-in-law, victoria had been becoming increasingly angrier on ernest s objections danish match. 2 brothers had been close, whatever disagreements, , albert s death left ernest wretched , noted victoria in letter eldest daughter. death did not solve argument however; seeing direct involvement had failed persuade victoria, ernest tried new tactic. began spread gossip alexandra , family, in mother princess louise had had illegitimate children , alexandra had had flirtations young officers ; wrote louise herself, warning bertie unfortunate choice husband. additionally, ernest met nephew @ thebes, attempting discourage him match in person. in 11 april letter, victoria unhappily noted eldest daughter did not tell me bertie had met uncle ernest @ thebes...i alarmed when think of uncle ernest , bertie being know former can set bertie against marriage princess alix . despite ernest s disapproval, bertie duly married alexandra on 10 march 1863.

during american civil war, duke assigned ernst raven position of consul in state of texas. raven applied confederate government diplomatic exequatur on 30 july 1861 , accepted.

nomination greek throne

a coin depicting ernest ii, 1869. issued commemorate twenty-fifth year of reign.

on 23 october 1862, otto of bavaria, king of greece deposed in bloodless coup. greeks eager have close britain , queen victoria replace otto; desired allow prince alfred, duke of edinburgh (her second son) succeed king of greece. elected 95% of vote in greek head of state referendum of 1862. after ineligibility confirmed however, greeks began looking other possible candidates, included duke ernest @ british government s suggestion. , victoria s reasoning, if ernest take greek throne, alfred take inheritance , succeed ernest duke (the prince of wales having passed claim duchy of saxe-coburg , gotha onto younger brother). many in favor of nomination, including prime minister lord palmerston , ernest s sister-in-law. in letter written uncle leopold of belgium, victoria stated support new royal branch of house of saxe-coburg , gotha (as leopold had been chosen king of belgians in 1831) desire second son alfred succeed uncle in duchy. negotiations continued however, began lose enthusiasm idea.

there problems nomination; ernest had no children, , have had adopt 1 of princes of house succeed him king of greece. solve problem, ernest suggested palmerston take title regent of greece , hold kingdom in trust chosen heir. stipulated if accepted throne, should subject guarantees other powers. apparent deal-breaker fact ernest wanted acquire greek throne , still maintain control of safer duchies. in end, british cabinet thought proposed conditions unacceptable. proposals turned down, ernest in turn refused. in 1863, greek throne accepted member of royal family: princess of wales younger brother prince william of denmark. ernest later comment, cup spared me, regarded piece of fortune .

austro-prussian , franco-prussian wars

ernest, brother, in favor of german unified, federal state. best realize goal, ernest liked dabble in whatever political system promised success. subsequently watched growth of liberalism in germany interest , tried build links movement s leaders. during albert s lifetime, ernest took close interest in movement reform, , perceived progressive within germany. favorable view of liberalism caused duchy become asylum political refugees other german states. in 1863, attended liberal frankfurt conference, openly avoided more conservative prussia. though attendance made him no friends in prussia, developed such strong contacts in austria many looked him potential leader in mounting conflict between northern , southern powers. grew tired of advice received albert on subject however; ernest no means inclined consent energetic rule such adopted afterwards perfection of constitutional system , according albert s letters.

the austro-prussian war triggered desire of german conservative leaders unify, albeit on different terms liberal counterparts. ernest urged prussian leaders against impending war, , active advocate of austrian cause. though ernest followed more liberal politics many of counterparts, began switching views align more closely prussian minister president otto von bismarck mid-1860s. despite change in private political views, still had strong publicly known austrian ties, , no 1 foresaw ernest side better-equipped prussians upon breakout of war. reasoning understood acting in best interests of duchies, , extension, of himself. regardless, seen betrayal of former friends; queen victoria commented ernest might have agreed neutrality - might necessary, change colours cannot think right .

ernest fortunate in support of victorious prussia; many other petty german dukes, princes, , kings had supported austria suffered immensely @ hohenzollern hands. hanover, hesse-kassel, , nassau instance annexed prussia @ expense of respective rulers. though had changed political views, ernest allowed ride @ head of battalion during victory parade. eldest niece prussian crown princess victoria ( vicky ) 1 pleased prussian support , commented not accustomed hearing praise of coburg here. [ernest] not among crushed , beaten foe, sad enough see many of 1 s friends suffering effects of miscalculations . victoria s husband crown prince frederick pleased ernest s decision, writing in journal 28 september 1871, duke s society affords me peculiar pleasure, especially...when heart beats warmly germany .

ernest s support of prussians in austro-prussian war , later franco prussian war meant no longer potential leader of political movement; although true had been able retain duchies, had come @ price. according historian charlotte zeepvat, ernest increasingly lost in whirl of private amusements earned contempt outside . ernest funneled political thoughts private sphere, preferring write covertly sponsored articles in coburg press became increasingly embittered against england. in 1886, ernest published co-regents , foreign influence in germany, pamphlet angered family; though produced anonymously, no 1 doubted written ernest. attacked vicky disloyal german dependent on mother, , declared had been indiscreet in passing along confidential information during both war , peacetime. queen victoria furious, writing vicky, told me of uncle e , pamphlet monstrous. assure felt great difficulty in writing him birthday, wrote short , cool consistently civility . dear uncle ernest great deal of harm odd ways , uncontrollable tongue lively imagination .

later years

an equestrian statue of ernest in hofgarten, coburg. in 1850s, ernest dramatically transformed hofgarten english landscape garden. opened on 27 april 1857 public. statue constructed in 1899 in order commemorate ernest s contributions.

later in reign, ernest s actions managed continually anger sister-in-law. though victoria loved ernest because albert s brother, displeased ernest writing memoirs, worrying contents in regard dead husband. despite disputes, ernest still met victoria , family occasionally. in 1891, met in france; victoria s lady-in-waiting commented old duke of saxe-coburg-gotha has been here today wife. prince consort s brother , awful looking man, queen dislikes him particularly. writing anonymous pamphlets against queen , empress frederick, naturally creates great deal of annoyance in family .

throughout reign, ernest had been known extravagance , womanizing; grew older, ernest enjoyed gossip , thoroughly disreputable old roué enjoyed outrage provoked actions , leading vicky declare uncle own enemy . behavior , manner of dress increasingly became joke younger generations. great-niece marie of edinburgh later describe ernest old beau, squeezed frock-coat tight bulk , uncomfortably pinched in @ waist , sporting top hat, lemon coloured gloves, , rosebud in lapel . put on weight , though on paper wealth large, still in debt.

an excellent musician , amateur composer life, ernest great patron of arts , sciences in coburg, giving awards , titles members of artistic , scientific world, such paul kalisch, german opera singer , english chemist william ernest bush. ernest composed songs, hymns, , cantatas, musical pieces opera , stage, including die gräberinsel (1842), tony, oder die vergeltung (1849), casilda (1851), santa chiara (1854), , zaïre, met success in germany. draw , play piano. 1 of operas, diana von solange (1858), prompted franz liszt following year write orchestral festmarsch nach motiven von e. h. z. s.-c.-g., s.116 (e. h. z. s.-c.-g. short ernst herzog zu sachsen-coburg-gotha). however, production @ metropolitan opera in new york city in 1890 inspired dismal reviews, 1 spectator commenting music rubbish . ernest avid hunter , sportsman; 1 contemporary remarked 1 of foremost , keenest sportsman produced present century . in addition, ernest enthusiastic patron of connected natural history, instance traveling abyssinia german zoologist alfred brehm in 1862.

ernest ii died @ reinhardsbrunn on 22 august 1893 after short illness. lifelong sportsman, last words apparently let drive commence! funeral held in morizkirche in coburg; thousands of spectators came funeral, including emperor wilhelm ii , prince of wales. buried in ducal mausoleum in friedhof glockenberg (de) himself had built in 1853–58.

ernest succeeded nephew prince alfred, duke of edinburgh.