Frederick Casimir Kettler

Frederick Casimir Kettler (german: Friedrich Casimir Kettler; 6 July 1650 – 22 January 1698) was Duke of Courland and Semigallia from 1682 to 1698. Frederick was the son of Jacob Kettler and Louise Charlotte of Brandenburg. In his reign the Duchy lost its geopolitical position and became Sweden, Prussia and Russia's territorial subject of interests.

Biography

Frederick Casimir Kettler studied law in Germany and visited a number of european courts. In 1673 he was in the Dutch military service. On 5 October 1675, in the Hague, Frederick Casimir married princess Nassau-Siegen Sophia Amalie and returned home. After his father died Frederick Casimir became the Duke of Courland and Semigallia and vigorously resorted to public affairs. In 1684 the duke's book printer George Radeckis in Jelgava became the first person to print books in the Latvian language. His efforts to restore the holding's were stopped by the power of Sweden, which at that time prevailed in northern Europe. However, Friedrich Casimir founded splendid court life according to the best Western models.

In 1688 his first wife Sophie Amalie died. In 1691 Duke celebrated alarge scale wedding with Elisabeth Sophie of Brandenburg.

During the reign of Frederick Casimir trade and industry of the duchy started to decay. In 1693 the Tobago colony was sold to England. In the spring of 1697 Friedrich Casimir received a grand delegaton from Russia including the new Tsar Peter I, on whom the brilliance of Jelgava palace and its court left a great impression. The Duchy and Russia held diplomatic talks on mutual cooperation against the Swedes, but in the next winter of 1698, The duke died aged 47. His minor son Frederick Wilhelm became the next Duke.

Issue

• Frederick Wilhelm, Duke of Courland

Sources

• This page is a translation of its German equivalent.
• This page is a translation of its Latvian equivalent.