George Christian, Prince of East Frisia

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George Christian (6 February 1634,

Early life

George Christian was born into the House of Cirksena, ruling family of the County of East Frisia, as the second son of Ulrich II, Count of East Frisia and his wife, Landgravine Juliana of Hesse-Darmstadt.

Biography

George Christian grew up with his brother at the court in Aurich. After 1649, they received further education at the academies of Breda and Tübingen.

Immediately after his accession he was trying to establish his rule, which led to severe conflicts with the Estates. This soon reached the threshold of a civil war and could be settled only by Dutch mediation. After lengthy negotiations with the Estates on 19 June 1662 and 4 October 1663, a compromise was reached. The Netherlands became the guarantor power. In both treaties, the relationship between the prince and the Estates was regulated. The estates were given back their old privileges, in exchange for a substantial cash payment.

Under George Christian, the conflict with Münster escalated. This conflict was based on compensation East Frisia had to pay under the Treaty of Berum, in exchange for the acquisition of the Harlingerland. Under the pretext of enforcing the payments, the Bishop of Münster marched his troops into East Frisia in 1663. Colonel Elverfeld conquered Hampoel and the Sconce at Diele on East Frisia's southern border. These were recaptured by Dutch troops in 1664. George Christian preferred to leave this kind of problem of his officials or the Estates.

Four months after his untimely death, George Christian's third child was born: a son named

Personal life

In Tübingen he met his future wife,

• Eberhardine Katharina (25 May 1663 – 10 July 1664), died in infancy.
• Juliane Charlotte (3 January 1664 – 3 June 1666), died in infancy.
• Christian Everhard (1 October 1665 – 30 June 1708), successor of his father.

Ancestors

References and sources

• Tielke, Martin (ed.): Biographisches Lexikon für Ostfriesland, Ostfriesisches Landschaftliche Verlag- und Vertriebsgeschäft, Aurich, vol. 1
  ISBN 3-932206-22-3
  (2001)
• Ernst Kaeber: Bilder aus dem Leben ostfries. Fürstlichkeiten des 17. Jahrhunderts. I. Die jüngeren Brüder des Fürsten Enno Ludwig. II. Aus dem Leben des Fürsten Christian Eberhard, Aurich, 1912
• Ernst Kaeber: Die Jugendzeit Fürst Enno Ludwigs von Ostfriesland, Aurich, 1911