Charles I, Landgrave of Hesse-Kassel

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Landgrave Karl I von Hessen-Kassel

Karl I von Hessen-Kassel (Kassel, August 3, 1654 - March 23, 1730) was from 1675 till his death Landgrave of Hessen-Kassel.

He was the son of Wilhelm VI of Hessen-Kassel and Hedwig Sophia von Brandenburg. After the early death of his father, his mother ruled as regent until 1675. Then Karl ruled for the next 55 years.

[edit] Politics and Economy

Under his rule Kassel recovered faster from the Thirty Years' War then other regions in Germany . He built a relatively large army which he rented to the highest bidder in the War of Spanish Succession.

At the Revocation of the Edict of Nantes in 1685 in France, Karl welcomed the expelled Huguenots giving them freedom of worship. Some 4000 Huguenots settled in Kassel. Karl stimulated the metal-industry and was also interested in archaeology.

[edit] Marriage and Children

Karl married Amalia von Kurland (1653-1711), daughter of Jacob Kettler. They had 3 children

Frederick (1676-1751), King of Sweden, Landgrave of Hessen-Kassel
Wilhelm (1682-1760), Landgrave of Hessen-Kassel
Marie Luise (1688-1765) - married Johan Willem Friso, Prince of Orange (1687-1711)