Margrave Albert Frederick of Brandenburg-Schwedt Biography

Albert Frederick, Prince of Prussia, Margrave of Brandenburg-Schwedt (24 January 1672 – 21 June 1731), was a Lieutenant General in the army of the Electorate of Brandenburg-Prussia and Grand Master of the Order of Saint John. In his lifetime he held the courtesy *le of Margrave of Brandenburg. His elder brother Philip William held the town and lands of Schwedt.

Life

Albert Frederick was born in Berlin, a son of Elector Frederick William of Brandenburg and his second wife Sophia Dorothea. His brother Philip William was from 1692 to 1711 Governor of Magdeburg. Albrecht Frederick joined the Prussian army as a volunteer in 1689, at the beginning of the War of the Palatine Succession against France. On 10 May 1692 he became head of a cavalry regiment and on 14 March 1693, he was promoted to major general. In 1694 he participated in the campaign in Italy and was on 9 March 1695, he was promoted to lieutenant general. The Margrave became in 1696 Grand Master of the Order of Saint John (Bailiwick of Brandenburg) and, on 17 January 1701, one of the first knights of the Order of the Black Eagle.

Beginning 14 February 1702 he fought against France as head of an infantry regiment in the War of Spanish Succession as the commander of the Prussian corps in the Netherlands. In November of that year he had to leave this post because of illness. In 1706, he was appointed governor in Pomerania. He died at Friedrichsfelde Palace, aged 59.

Marriage and issue

On 31 October 1703 Albert Frederick married with Princess Maria Dorothea Ketteler of Courland (1684–1743), daughter of Frederick Casimir, Duke of Courland. They had the following children:

  • Frederick of Brandenburg-Schwedt (1704–1707)
  • Charles Frederick Albert, Margrave of Brandenburg-Schwedt (1705–1762)
  • Anna Sophie Charlotte of Brandenburg-Schwedt (1706–1751); married in 1723 Wilhelm Heinrich, Duke of Saxe-Eisenach (1691–1741)
  • Luise Wilhelmine of Brandenburg-Schwedt (1709–1726)
  • Frederick of Brandenburg-Schwedt (1710–1741), died in the Battle of Mollwitz as a Prussian colonel
  • Sophie Friederike Albertine of Brandenburg-Schwedt (1712–1750); married in 1733 Victor Frederick, Prince of Anhalt-Bernburg (1700–1765)
  • Frederick William (1715–1744).

References

  • Kurt von Priesdorff (ed): Soldatisches Führertum, Hanseatische Verl.-Anst., Hamburg, 1937, vol. 1, p.:53 ff

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Margrave Albert Frederick of Brandenburg-Schwedt