Joachim Ernest of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Plön (1595 – 1671), also Joachim Ernest of Schleswig-Holstein-Plön, was the first Duke of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Plön, which emerged from a division of the Duchy of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg.
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Joachim Ernest was born on 29 August 1595 in Sonderborg, the second youngest son of Duke John of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg and Agnes Hedwig of Anhalt. As a teenager he went on an educational tour of Europe, as was typical for young noblemen at that time. This took him to Holland, England, France and Italy. In 1617 he participated in the Uskok War. When his father, the first of the so-called abgeteilte Herren (titular dukes who were not recognised by local landlords), died in 1622, the duchy was divided amongst the sons, resulting in five other smaller dukedoms. Joachim Ernest received Schleswig-Holstein-Plön. In addition to the new residence town of Plön his estate included Ahrensbök and Reinfeld.
On the occasion of his marriage to Princess Dorothea Augusta, a daughter of John Adolphus of Schleswig-Holstein-Gottorf, Joachim Ernest commissioned the demolition of the old castle in 1632 and had Plön Castle built between 1633 and 1636 as a residence and seat of government.
On 1 January 1671, shortly before his death, he was honoured in Copenhagen by the King of Denmark as a Knight of the Elephant (122nd bearer). He died on 5 October 1671 in Plön.
Joachim Ernest and Dorothea Augusta (born 12 May 1602; died 13 March 1682) had six children:
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Joachim Ernest, Duke of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Plön
Born: 29 August 1595 Died: 5 October 1671 |
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| Preceded by - |
Duke of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Plön 1622–1671 |
Succeeded by John Adolphus |