101-595: The title Countess von Gleichen was created by the Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha in 1861 for Laura Seymour , morganatic wife of Prince Victor of Hohenlohe-Langenburg , a German prince and nephew of the British Queen Victoria . Prince Victor is sometimes also identified as Count Gleichen, jure uxoris . After Princess Victor's death her title passed to her only son Count Edward . In 1917, when British citizens were required to relinquish all German titles,
202-465: A Thuringian contingent; he commented in a letter to his brother that "I should have declined any other command of the kind, but I could not refuse this one, as, in the present condition of our States, it is important to keep the executive power in our hands". As commander of a German corps, Ernest was instrumental in winning the 5 April 1849 battle of Eckernförde against Danish forces, capturing two frigates. Also at this time, Ernest took an interest in
303-435: A Nazi swastika on the pommel. The original coat of arms was restored in 1945 at the end of World War II . Today, the silhouette of the patron saint of the city of Coburg can be found mainly on manhole covers and the city coat of arms. Coburg has the typical features of a former capital of a German princely state. There are numerous houses from the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries. The most important landmarks include: Coburg
404-440: A century to win the affection and confidence of these self-retained hardy mountain people, his memory will a century hence be as green as are the firs and pines that cling so tenaciously to their native rock; and the deeds and words of the popular “Herr Herzog” will there be spoken of when in the outer world his name will be remembered only by the historian. The dead sportsman's hunting - knife, which I saw so often in his strong hand,
505-620: A close interest in the movement for reform, and was perceived as a progressive within Germany. His favorable view of liberalism caused his duchy to become an asylum for political refugees from other German states. In 1863, he attended the liberal Frankfurt Conference, which was openly avoided by more conservative Prussia. Though his attendance made him no friends in Prussia, he developed such strong contacts in Austria that many looked to him as
606-468: A fashion by the tutelage of his father, who took his sons to "sample the pleasures" of Paris and Berlin, to Albert's "horror and shame". Ernest had been so visibly deteriorating in appearance as a result that Sarah Lyttelton , a lady-in-waiting of Queen Victoria, observed at Windsor Castle in 1839 that he was "very thin and hollow-cheeked and pale, and no likeness to his brother, nor much beauty. But he has fine dark eyes and black hair, and light figure, and
707-492: A few weeks at Windsor Castle . Both boys, especially Albert, were considered by their family to be a potential husband for the young princess, and they were both taught to speak competent English . Their father at first thought that Ernest would make a better husband to Victoria than Albert, possibly because his sporting interests would be better received by the British public. However, most others favored Albert over Ernest as
808-520: A former monastery, rebuilt as a Renaissance palace , the Ehrenburg . In 1596, Coburg was raised to the status of capital of one of the dynasty's splintered Saxon-Thuringian territories, the newly created Duchy of Saxe-Coburg under the leadership of Duke John Casimir (ruled 1596–1633). From 1699 to 1826, it was one of the two capitals of the Duchy of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld , and from 1826 to 1918 it
909-636: A great look of spirit and eagerness". Later that year, Albert counselled his brother against finding a wife until his 'condition' was fully recovered. He further warned that continued promiscuity could leave Ernest incapable of fathering children. Some historians believe that while he himself was able to father other children, the disease rendered his young wife infertile. Ernest was married for 51 years and with his wife visited Queen Victoria in Paris in 1890. On 29 January 1844, Ernest's father died in Gotha , one of
1010-408: A husband. Additionally, Ernest met with his nephew at Thebes , most likely attempting to discourage him from the match in person. In an 11 April letter, Victoria unhappily noted to her eldest daughter, "You did not tell me that Bertie had met Uncle Ernest at Thebes...I am always alarmed when I think of Uncle Ernest and Bertie being together as I know the former will do all he can to set Bertie against
1111-440: A joke for younger generations. His great-niece Marie of Edinburgh would later describe Ernest as "an old beau, squeezed into a frock-coat too tight for his bulk and uncomfortably pinched in at the waist, sporting a top hat, lemon coloured gloves, and a rosebud in his lapel". He put on weight and though on paper his wealth was large, he was still constantly in debt. An excellent musician and amateur composer all his life, Ernest
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#17328012528611212-407: A large inheritance, he also had frequent debts. There were increasing calls to nationalize most of his property. Indeed, Albert had to intervene at one point and spare his brother the embarrassment of losing one of his Coburg properties. During the 1848 turmoil in Germany , Albert had been constructing his own liberal reform plan, under which a single monarch, chancellor, and parliament would unite
1313-442: A letter to her eldest daughter. The death did not solve their argument however; seeing that his direct involvement had failed to persuade Victoria, Ernest tried a new tactic. He began to spread gossip about Alexandra and her family, saying that her mother Princess Louise "had illegitimate children and Alexandra had flirtations with young officers"; he also wrote to Louise herself, warning that Bertie would be an unfortunate choice for
1414-596: A letter written to her uncle Leopold I of Belgium , Victoria stated her support for a new royal branch of the House of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha (as Leopold had been chosen as King of the Belgians in 1831), as well as her desire for her second son, Alfred, to succeed his uncle in the duchy. As negotiations continued however, she began to lose enthusiasm for the idea. There were problems to the nomination; Ernest had no legitimate children, and thus would have had to adopt one of
1515-529: A little badger from impatience and liveliness. He is not pretty now, except his beautiful black eyes." In May 1820, his mother described Ernest as "very big for his age, as well as intelligent. His big black eyes are full of spirit and vivacity." Biographer Richard Hough writes that "even from their infancy, it was plainly evident that the elder son took after his father, in character and appearance, while Albert strongly resembled his mother in most respects." Ernest and his brother often lived with their grandmother
1616-592: A naval career was chosen for Alfred, a common profession for a British prince but almost unheard of for a German prince. Ernest also wanted Alfred to be educated in Coburg, but his brother refused. Albert's refusal most likely stemmed from the negative British reaction that would have inevitably occurred and the fact that Albert was fearful of Alfred's moral development. Thus, despite Ernest's protests, he went unheeded in Albert's lifetime. In 1863, Ernest told Victoria that it
1717-410: A pamphlet that greatly angered his family; though produced anonymously, no one doubted that it was written by Ernest. It attacked Vicky as a disloyal German that was too dependent on her mother, and declared that she had been too indiscreet in passing along confidential information during both war and peacetime. Queen Victoria was furious, writing to Vicky, "What you told me of Uncle E and that pamphlet
1818-420: A possible husband. Temperamentally, Victoria was much more like Ernest, for both were lively and sociable with a love for dancing, gossip, and late nights; conversely, this fast pace made Albert physically ill. Victoria believed Ernest had a "most kind, honest, and intelligent expression in his countenance", while Albert "seemed full of goodness and sweetness, and very clever and intelligent." No offer of marriage
1919-406: A potential leader in the mounting conflict between the northern and southern powers. He grew tired of the advice he received from Albert on the subject however; as Ernest "was by no means inclined to consent to an energetic rule such as I adopted immediately afterwards for the perfection of the constitutional system", according to Albert's letters. The Austro-Prussian War of 1866 was triggered by
2020-417: A price. According to historian Charlotte Zeepvat , Ernest "was increasingly lost in a whirl of private amusements which earned only contempt from outside". Ernest funneled his political thoughts into the private sphere, preferring to write covertly sponsored articles in the Coburg press that became increasingly embittered against England. In 1886, Ernest published Co-Regents and Foreign Influence in Germany ,
2121-401: A short illness. “When the news of the duke's death reached the secluded Hinter - Riss, the deepest consternation took possession of the people, amongst whom the prince and the duchess had passed, as they often used to say, the happiest days of their long, eventful lives. In him they lost a kind, dear master and a good friend, who was for ever willing to help where help was needed. If it took half
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#17328012528612222-569: Is home to two major festivals: Samba-Festival Coburg [ de ] and Johann Strauss Musiktage . Coburg is referred to as "Europe's Capital of Samba." As a result of the large presence of the US Army prior to German re-unification, Americans and American culture are still present in Coburg and the surrounding area. This influence ranges from American-style pubs and restaurants to two sports clubs sponsoring baseball teams. The National Hot Dog and Sausage Council asserts that Frankfurt
2323-575: Is named after the town, in connection with the Bulgarian royal house of Coburg ( Saxe-Coburg-Gotha ). Coburg can be reached by car via B 303 Schweinfurt -Coburg-Schirnding, B 4 Hamburg -Coburg- Nuremberg or motorway A 73 Suhl -Coburg-Nuremberg. Coburg has four train stations: From the main station one can go to Lichtenfels , Bamberg , Forchheim , Erlangen , Fürth and Nuremberg, to Neustadt bei Coburg , Sonneberg , to Bad Rodach and to Kulmbach , Neuenmarkt-Wirsberg. Since December 2017,
2424-670: Is now lying before me, a cherished memento, kindly sent me by the stricken dowager-duchess a few weeks after the funeral. It will ever remind me, not so much of a sportsman prince, as of a prince among sportsmen.” From the book: Sport in the Alps in the Past and Present, An Account of the Chase of the Chamois, Red Deer, Bouquetin, Roe-deer, Capercaillie, and Black-cock, with Personal Adventures and Historical Notes and Some Sporting Reminiscences of H.R.H.
2525-429: Is simply monstrous. I assure you that I felt great difficulty in writing to him for his birthday, but I wrote it as short and cool as I could consistently with civility". "Dear Uncle Ernest does us all a great deal of harm by his odd ways and uncontrollable tongue with his very lively imagination". Later in his reign, Ernest's actions managed to continually anger his sister-in-law. Though Victoria loved Ernest because he
2626-658: Is today the largest employer and largest payer of Gewerbesteuer [ de ] (local corporate tax) in Coburg. Kapp Werkzeugmaschinen has been a manufacturer of gear-milling machines since 1953, after taking over the production assets of COMAG (Coburger Maschinenbau GmbH). Waldrich-Coburg, founded in 1920, manufactures CNC-milling machines in a range of sizes, the largest of which can handle an object of size 50 x 14 x 10 metres. Founded in 1919, Kaeser Compressors produces air compressors in various sizes. Coburg has an above-average share of goods-producing employees. In 2013, out of 32,962 employees 10,421 worked in
2727-458: Is traditionally credited with originating the frankfurter . This is disputed by those who claim the hot dog was created in the late 17th century by Johann Georghehner, a butcher, living in Coburg. A popular local delicacy is the Coburger bratwurst , a sausage (the official measure of which is denoted by the marshall's staff held by the statue of the town's patron, Sankt Mauritius , located on
2828-538: The Dowager Duchess of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld until her death in 1831. He and Albert were brought up and educated together as if they were twins. Though Albert was fourteen months younger, he surpassed Ernest intellectually. According to their tutor, "they went hand-in-hand in all things, whether at work or at play. Engaging in the same pursuits, sharing the same joys and the same sorrows, they were bound to each other by no common feelings of mutual love". Perhaps
2929-503: The Frankfurt Parliament and may have hoped to be chosen German Emperor , but instead he urged King Frederick of Prussia to take that position, albeit unsuccessfully. Ernest also brought about a Berlin conference of German princes in 1850; he highly valued such opportunities for the political influence they brought him. The first war ended in 1851, but would resume in 1864. During this interlude, Ernest fervently opposed
3030-568: The GDP per inhabitant was €91,506 in Coburg, placing it 5th among the 96 urban and rural districts (Bavarian average: €46,698). Coburg is twinned with: Coburg's coat of arms , honouring the town's German patron Saint Maurice , was granted in 1493. In 1934, the Nazi government forbade any glorification of the African race, and they replaced the coat of arms with one depicting a vertical sword with
3131-518: The German Confederation fought over control of the two duchies of Schleswig and Holstein . Historically, the duchies had been ruled by Denmark since medieval times, but there remained a large German majority. This majority was sparked to rebellion after Frederick VII of Denmark announced on 27 March 1848 the duchies would become an integral part of Denmark under his new liberal constitution. Prussia soon became involved, supporting
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3232-517: The German Confederation in the Schleswig-Holstein Wars against Denmark, sending thousands of troops and becoming the commander of a German corps; he was instrumental in the 1849 victory at the battle of Eckernförde against Danish forces. After King Otto of Greece was deposed in 1862, the British government put Ernest's name forward as a possible successor. Negotiations concerning this failed for various reasons—not least of which
3333-706: The German Democratic Republic , Bavarian Coburg became part of West Germany . As a result, the town spent the Cold War years lying right next to the Iron Curtain , surrounded by East German territory on three sides and cut off from much of its natural back country . In 1946, Polish ambassador Oskar R. Lange alleged that Coburg was a base for the Western Allies to organize a Polish armed insurgency led by Władysław Anders against
3434-599: The New Apostolic Church , as well as the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints . There are also three communities of Muslims . Coburg had a large Jewish community until the 1940s. Jews had lived there since the 14th century. The old synagogue was a former church. Today it is used by Old Catholics . Coburg became Protestant after the Reformation . All Catholics were persecuted. A new Catholic community
3535-527: The British government's suggestion. To their and Victoria's reasoning, if Ernest were to take the Greek throne, Alfred could immediately take up his inheritance and succeed Ernest as duke (the Prince of Wales having passed his claim to the duchy of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha on to his younger brother). Many were in favor of his nomination, including Prime Minister Lord Palmerston as well as Ernest's sister-in-law. In
3636-589: The Coburg influence. Prussian conservatives would soon turn against him, and in particular he was opposed by Prussian Minister President Otto von Bismarck . During the American Civil War , the Duke assigned Ernst Raven to the position of consul in the state of Texas. On 30 July 1861, Raven applied to the Confederate Government for a diplomatic exequatur and was accepted. On 23 October 1862, Otto of Bavaria , King of Greece ,
3737-522: The German Federal Archives for the victims of the Nazi persecution of Jews in Germany lists in particular 63 Jewish inhabitants of Coburg, who were deported and mostly murdered. Coburg's Jewish community was not reestablished after the war. After World War II , which Coburg survived largely undamaged, the town faced the challenge of integrating over 15,000 refugees . While the other Saxon-Thuringian principalities were incorporated into
3838-624: The German states; in addition, each state would retain its own current ruling dynasty. As this plan pertained to his brother, Ernest was given a copy in the hope that he would develop his own liberal constitution. Ernest subsequently made a few concessions, but his position remained sound, not counting the increasing problem of his debts. A constitution was drafted and promulgated in 1849 in Gotha, though one had existed in Coburg since 1821. In 1852, both constitutions were converged into one, which converted
3939-593: The Gleichen family retained their name but gave up their comital status, instead taking the precedence of children of a British marquess , allowing them to be styled Lord and Lady . This title and status had earlier been given to Princess Victor when her brother had inherited the title Marquess of Hertford . Count/Countess von Gleichen may refer to: Ernst II, Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha Ernest II (German: Ernst August Karl Johann Leopold Alexander Eduard ; 21 June 1818 – 22 August 1893)
4040-461: The Greek throne and still maintain control of his "safer" duchies. In the end, the British cabinet thought the proposed conditions unacceptable. His recommendations having been turned down, Ernest in turn refused. In 1863, the Greek throne was accepted by another member of a royal family: the Princess of Wales ' younger brother Prince William of Denmark . Ernest would later comment, "That this cup
4141-606: The King of Belgium in 1831 and Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha , born in Schloss Rosenau , marrying his first cousin, Queen Victoria in 1840. The marriage between Albert and Victoria established the present British royal house, which renamed itself Windsor during World War I . This marriage led to a union with Germany's ruling dynasty, the Hohenzollerns , when the couple's eldest child, Victoria , married
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4242-564: The Late Duke of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha – William Adolphus Baillie-Grohman. As fitting as these final words was the act that closed this long and distinguished sporting career, for less than an hour before that fatal attack of apoplexy, his master hand had brought down two royals ! A lifelong sportsman, his last words were apparently "Let the drive commence!" His funeral was held in the Morizkirche in Coburg; thousands of spectators came to
4343-645: The Queen dislikes him particularly. He is always writing anonymous pamphlets against the Queen and the Empress Frederick, which naturally creates a great deal of annoyance in the family". Throughout his reign, Ernest had been known for his extravagance and womanizing; as he grew older, Ernest enjoyed gossip and was "now a thoroughly disreputable old roué who enjoyed the outrage provoked by his actions", leading Vicky to declare that her uncle "was his own enemy". His behavior and manner of dress increasingly became
4444-767: The Soviet-backed communists in Poland . Over two-thirds of Coburg's population live in the core town of Coburg rather than in one of the Stadtteile merged with it in the 20th century. Some of those retain a largely rural character. Most residents of Coburg are members of the Evangelical Church ( Lutheran ). Other Christian communities are Baptists , Seventh-day Adventists , the ICF Movement , Jehovah's Witnesses , Catholics , Old Catholics and
4545-455: The aforementioned "sorrows" related to their parents' marriage; it was not happy, and Duke Ernest I was continually unfaithful. In 1824, Ernest I and Louise divorced; she subsequently left Coburg and was disallowed from seeing her sons again. She soon remarried to Alexander von Hanstein, Count of Pölzig and Beiersdorf , dying in 1831 at the age of thirty. The year after her death, their father married his niece Duchess Marie of Württemberg , who
4646-495: The case. Alfred was torn between his British birth and his German inheritance. This was partly because Alfred was second-in-line to the United Kingdom until the birth of his nephew Prince Albert Victor, Duke of Clarence and Avondale , in 1864. One example of the many problems of his education concerned the language he would speak. Although he grew up learning German, his native language was decided to be English. In addition,
4747-664: The castle (located at the southernmost point of the Saxon duchy) while his liege lord , John, Elector of Saxony , attended the Diet. Luther was forbidden to attend by the Elector, who feared that he would be imprisoned and burned as a heretic. While quartered at the castle Luther continued with his translation of the Bible into German. In 1547, the princely residence was moved from the Veste to
4848-467: The childless Ernest's heir presumptive, when his older brother, the Prince of Wales (later King Edward VII of the United Kingdom), renounced his succession rights. Issues arose over authority to control the upbringing of his heir-presumptive. As head of the Coburg family, Ernest would normally have been able to arrange Alfred's education and general upbringing unchallenged. This however was not
4949-735: The close of the term to travel around Europe. They returned to Bonn in early November to continue their studies. The brothers travelled to England again in 1839, at which time Victoria found her cousin Albert agreeable, and soon proposed. This connection would have many implications for Ernest in the future; for example, he was selected as godfather for Albert's second daughter Princess Alice , and would eventually come to give her away at her wedding, only months after Albert's death. Thanks to his widespread royal connections, he travelled widely at this stage of his life. In 1840 and 1841 he went to Spain and Portugal; in Portugal another cousin, Ferdinand ,
5050-809: The collection of copperplate engravings that is today part of the Veste Coburg museum. Under his son, Ernest , the Schlossplatz [ de ] with what is today the Landestheater Coburg was created. He also rebuilt the Ehrenburg in Gothic revival style . In the mid-19th century, Duke Ernest II supported national and liberal ideas and Coburg hosted the first meeting of the German National Association ,
5151-473: The conservatives came at a price however, and he was no longer viewed as the possible leader of a political movement. According to historian Charlotte Zeepvat , Ernest became "increasingly lost in a whirl of private amusements which earned only contempt from outside". Ernest and his only full sibling, his younger brother Prince Albert (consort to Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom), were born 14 months apart and raised as though twins. They became closer upon
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#17328012528615252-649: The desire of German conservative leaders to unify, albeit on different terms than their liberal counterparts. Ernest urged Prussian leaders against the impending war, and was an active advocate of the Austrian cause. Though Ernest normally followed more liberal politics than many of his counterparts, he began switching his views to align more closely with Bismarck by the mid-1860s. Despite this change in his private political views, he still had strong publicly known ties to Austria, where his cousin Alexander, Count Mensdorff ,
5353-532: The ducal throne. Ernest, Hereditary Prince of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld, was born at Ehrenburg Palace in Coburg on 21 June 1818. He was the elder son of Ernest III, Duke of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld (later Ernest I, Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha) and his first wife Princess Louise of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg . He was soon joined by a brother, Prince Albert , who would later become the husband of Queen Victoria . Though Duke Ernest fathered numerous children in various affairs,
5454-660: The founding of the Deutscher Sängerbund [ de ] and the first Deutsches Turnfest [ de ] (national sports festival). During the 19th century, dynastic marriages created ties with the royal families of Belgium, Bulgaria, Portugal and Britain. This turned the ducal family from the rulers of a fairly obscure backwater duchy into one playing an influential role in European politics. The era of political influence peaked with Leopold Frederick ; born Prince of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld , becoming
5555-544: The funeral, including Emperor Wilhelm II and the Prince of Wales. He is buried in the ducal mausoleum in the Friedhof am Glockenberg [ de ] which he himself had built in 1853–58. Ernest was succeeded by his nephew Prince Alfred, Duke of Edinburgh . For much of Ernest's reign, the heir presumptive to Saxe-Coburg and Gotha was his only sibling Prince Albert , consort of Queen Victoria . When it became increasingly clear that Ernest would be childless,
5656-456: The future King George V of the United Kingdom. In November 1918, the last Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, Charles Edward , abdicated. The Freistaat Coburg which now came into being had to decide whether to become part of Thuringia or Bavaria . In a November 1919 referendum, the locals voted to join Bavaria with an 88% majority. On 1 July 1920, Coburg joined Bavaria. In 1929, Coburg
5757-407: The future Kaiser Friedrich III . After her marriage, Queen Victoria said of Coburg: If I were not who I am, this would have been my real home, but I shall always consider it my second one. Due to the royal connections among the royal houses of Europe, Coburg was the site of many royal Ducal weddings and visits. Britain's Queen Victoria made six visits to Coburg during her 63-year reign. In 1894
5858-604: The hill where Veste Coburg was later built. Its oldest remains date to the 12th or 13th century. In 1248, the castle came into possession of the House of Henneberg and in 1353 it passed to the House of Wettin with the marriage of Frederick III with Catherine of Henneberg and was initially regarded by them as a Saxon outpost within Franconia . During the Diet of Augsburg in 1530 reformer Martin Luther spent six months at
5959-410: The manufacturing or construction sectors (31% vs. a national average of 24%), 4,853 in trade, transport and tourism, 10,381 in professional services and 7,230 in public and private services. Hotels in Coburg counted over 61,000 overnight visitors in 2014 (of which around 53,000 were from Germany). They stayed for a total of almost 120,000 nights, or close to two nights per stay on average. In 2017,
6060-499: The marriage of his nephew Albert Edward, Prince of Wales ('Bertie'), to Princess Alexandra of Denmark , a daughter of the future Christian IX of Denmark (and therefore an enemy of the German states). He believed that such a match flew in the face of German interests. Albert replied angrily: "What has that got to do with you?... Vicky has racked her brains to help us to find someone, but in vain...We have no [other reasonable] choice". Albert agreed there were going to be problems with
6161-535: The marriage with Princess Alix". Despite Ernest's disapproval, Bertie was duly married to Alexandra on 10 March 1863. His close relationship with the English court gave him a position of great influence, and the marriage of his niece, Princess Victoria, to Prince Frederick William further strengthened his ties to Prussia, and in 1862 he offered to make his troops available to the King of Prussia in case of war. But his liberalism caused increased suspicion in Germany of
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#17328012528616262-420: The match, but as he could find no alternative bride, he wrote to Ernest that keeping the affair a private matter (and outside the realm of government) was "the only way to prevent a break with Prussia and the only way to keep the game in our own hands, impose the conditions that we think necessary, and as far as we can, take off its political edge". Albert also warned his son of Ernest's endeavors to interfere with
6363-573: The match, commenting, "Your uncle...will try his hand at this work. Your best defence will be not to enter on the subject, should he broach it". Soon after writing these letters, Prince Albert died on 14 December 1861. His death helped Ernest repair his relationship with his sister-in-law, as Victoria had been becoming increasingly angry over Ernest's objections to the Danish match. The two brothers had always been close, whatever their disagreements, and Albert's death left Ernest "wretched", noted Victoria in
6464-493: The personal union of the two duchies into a real union; the duchies were now inseparable, with a common set of institutions. During the political turmoil, timely concessions and Ernest's popular habit of mingling with "the people in their pleasures" were instrumental in keeping him from losing his throne. Furthermore, various contemporary sources state that Ernest was an able, just and very popular ruler, which may have also helped keep him in power. From 1848 to 1864, Denmark and
6565-535: The piano. One of his operas, Diana von Solange (1858), prompted Franz Liszt the following year to write an orchestral Festmarsch nach Motiven von E. H. z. S.-C.-G. , S.116 (E. H. z. S.-C.-G. was short for Ernst Herzog zu Sachsen-Coburg-Gotha). However, its production at the Metropolitan Opera in New York City in 1890 inspired dismal reviews, with one spectator commenting that its "music
6666-467: The possibility of a personal union between his duchies and the United Kingdom became real, a reality that was deemed undesirable. Special arrangements were made by a combination of constitutional clauses and renunciations to pass Ernest's throne to a son of Albert while preventing a personal union. Consequently, Prince Alfred, Duke of Edinburgh , his brother's second eldest son, was designated
6767-404: The princes of his house to succeed him as King of Greece. To solve this problem, Ernest suggested to Palmerston that he simply take the title Regent of Greece and hold the kingdom in trust for his chosen heir. He also stipulated that if he accepted the throne, it should be subject to certain guarantees by the other powers. The apparent deal-breaker, though, was the fact that Ernest wanted to acquire
6868-544: The river Itz . It is an urban district and is surrounded by the Landkreis Coburg . Coburg lies at the foot of the Thuringian Highland . Coburg, Bavaria was part of West Germany until reunification in 1990, but on three sides it borders Thuringia which was East Germany. The border between Bavaria and Thuringia was also the inner German border . Coburg is divided into 15 Stadtteile : Coburg
6969-412: The school were destroyed. Coburg's Jewish community numbered 68 in 1869, 210 (1.3% of the total population) in 1880, 316 (1.3%) in 1925, and 233 (0.9%) in 1933. Around 150 managed to leave by 1942, either emigrating from Germany or moving to other German cities. The rest were deported to Riga , Izbica , and Theresienstadt in three transports between November 1941 and September 1942. The memorial book of
7070-474: The separation and divorce of their parents as well as the eventual death of their mother. Their relationship experienced phases of closeness as well as minor arguments as they grew older. After Albert's death in 1861, Ernest published anonymous pamphlets against various members of the British royal family. However, he accepted Albert's second son, Prince Alfred, Duke of Edinburgh , as his heir-presumptive . Upon Ernest's death at Reinhardsbrunn , Alfred succeeded to
7171-433: The territories their family had recently acquired. Ernest consequently succeeded to the duchies of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha as Ernest II. Extravagant to a great degree, Ernest had many money troubles throughout his reign. In January 1848, Ernest visited his brother in the midst of political unrest in Germany. Upon his return, he also discovered unrest in Coburg. One of the many concerns related to finances. Although Ernest had
7272-698: The time, and the Duchess was twelve years older than him. Coburg Coburg ( / ˈ k oʊ b ɜːr ɡ / KOH -burg , German: [ˈkoːbʊʁk] ) is a town located on the Itz river in the Upper Franconia region of Bavaria , Germany. Long part of one of the Thuringian states of the Wettin line , it joined Bavaria by popular vote only in 1920. Until the revolution of 1918, it
7373-477: The town hall and overlooking the square) roasted over a pine cone fire. The sausage is served in a semmel (a small bread bun, a third the size of the sausage itself), and is highly popular with locals and tourists alike. According to tradition, the Coburger bratwurst was first produced in 1530 on the occasion of a visit by Martin Luther . Coburg Peak on Trinity Peninsula in Graham Land , Antarctica ,
7474-423: The two boys would have no other legitimate siblings. In 1826, their father succeeded as Ernest I, Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha through an exchange of territories after the death of the duke's uncle, Frederick IV, Duke of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg . There are various accounts of Ernest's childhood. When he was fourteen months old, a servant commented that Ernest "runs around like a weasel. He is teething and as cross as
7575-410: The upbringing of his heir-presumptive, with a strong German element added to his education and (carefully chaperoned) visits to Coburg. Ernest appears in the 2016 ITV series Victoria , portrayed by David Oakes . He is inaccurately depicted as having an affair with Harriet Sutherland-Leveson-Gower, Duchess of Sutherland . In real life, Ernest likely never met the Duchess; he was already married at
7676-476: The uprising and beginning the First Schleswig War . Ernest sent 8,000 men initially, adding to the army sent by the German Confederation . He also desired to be given a military job during the war, but was refused, as it was "extremely difficult to offer me a position in the army of Schleswig-Holstein corresponding to my rank", according to his memoirs. He agreed to a smaller command, coming to lead
7777-525: The wedding of Ernest Louis, Grand Duke of Hesse and Princess Victoria Melita of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha brought together Queen Victoria , her son Edward (future Edward VII) , her second son Alfred (Duke of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha) , her daughter the German Dowager Empress Friedrich (Victoria) , and many of her grandchildren, such as future Tsar Nicholas and Alexandra of Russia (Alix of Hesse), Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany, and
7878-496: Was Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha from 29 January 1844 to his death in 1893. He was born in Coburg to Ernest III, Duke of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld , and Princess Louise of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg . His father became Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha (as Ernest I) in 1826 through an exchange of territories. In 1842, Ernest married Princess Alexandrine of Baden in what was to be a childless marriage. Two years later, he became Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha when his father died. Ernest supported
7979-549: Was Albert's brother, she was displeased that Ernest was writing his memoirs, worrying about their contents mainly in regard to her dead husband. Despite their disputes, Ernest still met with Victoria and her family occasionally. In 1891, they met in France; Victoria's lady-in-waiting commented "the old Duke of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha has been here today with his wife. He is the Prince Consort's only brother and an awful looking man,
8080-565: Was Foreign Minister, and no one foresaw that Ernest would immediately side with the better-equipped Prussians upon breakout of the war. His reasoning is usually understood as acting in the best interests of his duchies, and by extension, of himself. Some influence came from Bismarck, who explained his policy and tactics in a letter to Ernest. Regardless, it was seen as a betrayal of former friends; Queen Victoria commented that Ernest "might have agreed to neutrality—for that might be necessary, but to change colours I cannot think right". Ernest
8181-671: Was King Consort. Various candidates were put forward as a possible wife for Ernest. His father wanted him to look to a woman of high rank, such as a Russian grand duchess, for a wife. One possibility was Princess Clémentine of Orléans , a daughter of Louis Philippe I , whom he met while visiting the court at the Tuileries . However, such a marriage would have required his conversion from Lutheranism to Roman Catholicism , and consequently nothing came of it. She later married his cousin Prince August of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha . Ernest
8282-410: Was a capital of the Duchy of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha . Ernest Frederick , the fourth Duke of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld, moved his capital from Saalfeld to Coburg in 1764. Coburg then became capital of the Duchy of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld and later of the Duchy of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha . In the early 19th century, the town's medieval fortifications were demolished and replaced by parks. The duke also started
8383-520: Was a great patron of the arts and sciences in Coburg, often giving awards and titles to members of the artistic and scientific world, such as Paul Kalisch , a German opera singer and the English chemist William Ernest Bush . Ernest composed songs, hymns , and cantatas , as well as musical pieces for opera and the stage, including Die Gräberinsel (1842), Tony, oder die Vergeltung (1849), Casilda (1851), Santa Chiara (1854), and Zaïre , which met with success in Germany. He could also draw and play
8484-475: Was allowed to ride at the head of his battalion during the victory parade. His eldest niece Prussian Crown Princess Victoria ("Vicky") was for one pleased with his Prussian support and commented "I am not accustomed to hearing so much praise of Coburg here. [Ernest] was not among the crushed and beaten foe, it is sad enough as it is to see so many of one's friends suffering from the effects of their miscalculations". Victoria's husband Crown Prince Frederick William
8585-547: Was also considered by Dowager Queen Maria Christina as a possible husband for her young daughter Isabella II of Spain , and by Queen Victoria for her cousin Princess Augusta of Cambridge . In Karlsruhe on 3 May 1842, Ernest married 21-year-old Princess Alexandrine of Baden . She was the eldest daughter of Leopold, Grand Duke of Baden , and Princess Sophie of Sweden , daughter of the deposed King Gustav IV Adolf of Sweden . Though he gave his consent, his father
8686-576: Was also pleased with Ernest's decision, writing in his journal 28 September 1871, that the duke's "society always affords me peculiar pleasure, especially...when his heart beats so warmly for Germany". Ernest's support of the Prussians in the Austro-Prussian War and later Franco Prussian War meant he was no longer the potential leader of a political movement; although it was true that he had been able to retain his duchies, it had come at
8787-549: Was deposed in a bloodless coup . The Greeks were eager to have someone close to Britain and Queen Victoria replace Otto; some desired to allow Prince Alfred, Duke of Edinburgh (her second son) to succeed as King of Greece. He was elected with 95% of the vote in the Greek head of state referendum of 1862. After his ineligibility was confirmed however, the Greeks began looking for other possible candidates, which included Duke Ernest at
8888-404: Was disappointed that his first son did not do more to advance the concerns of Coburg. The marriage did not produce any issue, though Ernest apparently fathered at least three illegitimate children in later years. Ernest had suffered from a venereal disease in his late teens and early twenties, most likely as the consequence of living a wild, promiscuous lifestyle. He had come to behave in such
8989-471: Was first mentioned in a monastic document dated 1056, which marked the transfer of ownership to the Archbishop-Elector of Cologne , although there was a settlement at the site that predates it called Trufalistat . The origin of the name Coburg is unclear; the first element may be kuh , which would give a literal meaning of "cow borough". "Coburg" initially referred to a property centred on
9090-488: Was forthcoming for either brother however, and they returned home. Ernest entered military training later that year. In April 1837, Ernest and Albert and their household moved to the University of Bonn . Six weeks into their academic term, Victoria succeeded as Queen of the United Kingdom . As rumors of an impending marriage between her and Albert interfered with their studies, the two brothers left on 28 August 1837 at
9191-419: Was fortunate in his support of victorious Prussia; for his services he received the forest of Schmalkalden . Many other petty German dukes, princes, and kings who had supported Austria suffered immensely at Hohenzollern hands. Hanover , Hesse-Kassel , and Nassau for instance were all annexed to Prussia at the expense of their respective rulers. Though he had only recently changed his political views, Ernest
9292-613: Was founded in the 19th century. Coburg has an oceanic climate ( Cfb in the Köppen climate classification ). In 1919 Max Brose and Ernst Jüngling established the metal works Max Brose & Co. to manufacture car parts. The company is still in operation today, as Brose Fahrzeugteile . In 1950, the Haftpflicht-Unterstützungs-Kasse kraftfahrender Beamter Deutschlands a. G. (today HUK-Coburg [ de ] ) relocated from Erfurt to Coburg. HUK
9393-510: Was frequently visited by the crowned heads of Europe and their families. Coburg is the location of Veste Coburg , one of Germany's largest castles. Today, Coburg's population is close to 41,500. Since it was little damaged in World War II, Coburg retains many historic buildings, making it a popular tourist destination. Coburg lies about 90 kilometres (56 miles) south of Erfurt and about 100 kilometres (62 miles) north of Nuremberg on
9494-620: Was his sister Antoinette 's daughter. Their stepmother was thus also their first cousin. The duke and his new duchess were not close, and would produce no children; while the boys formed a happy relationship with their stepmother, Marie had little to no input in her stepsons' lives. The separation and divorce of their parents, as well as the later death of their mother, left the boys scarred and in close companionship with each other. In 1836, Ernest and Albert visited their matrimonially eligible cousin Princess Victoria of Kent , spending
9595-407: Was imposed against Jewish businesses. In 1932 the municipal council abrogated the lease of St. Nicholas Church. In 1933 the synagogue was closed down. It still remains standing. On 25 March 1933, 40 Jews in Coburg were arrested and tortured. They were not released until the affair became internationally known. On 9 November 1938, Kristallnacht , all Jewish men were interned. Jewish homes, shops, and
9696-425: Was one of the capitals of the Duchy of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha and the Duchy of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld . Through successful dynastic policies, the ruling princely family married into several of the royal families of Europe, most notably in the person of Prince Albert , who married Queen Victoria in 1840. As a result of these close links with the royal houses of Europe in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Coburg
9797-652: Was simply rubbish". Ernest was also an avid hunter and sportsman; one contemporary remarked that he was "one of the foremost and keenest sportsman produced by the present century". In addition, Ernest was an enthusiastic patron of everything connected with natural history, for instance traveling to Abyssinia with the German zoologist Alfred Brehm in 1862. That journey was chronicled in a book, Reise des Herzogs Ernst von Sachsen-Koburg-Gotha nach Ägypten , published in 1862. He also published his memoirs in three volumes: Aus meinem Leben und aus meiner Zeit (1888–1890). Ernest II died at Reinhardsbrunn on 22 August 1893 after
9898-429: Was spared me, I always regarded as a piece of good fortune". Ernest, like his brother, was in favor of a unified but federal German state. In seeking to realize this goal, Ernest liked to dabble in whatever political system promised the most success. He subsequently watched the growth of liberalism in Germany with much interest and tried to build links with the movement's leaders. During Albert's lifetime, Ernest took
9999-550: Was that he would not give up his beloved duchies in favor of the Greek throne. A supporter of a unified Germany, Ernest watched the various political movements with great interest. While he initially was a great and outspoken proponent of German liberalism , he surprised many by switching sides and supporting the more conservative (and eventually victorious) Prussians during the Austro-Prussian and Franco-Prussian Wars and subsequent unification of Germany . His support of
10100-485: Was the first German town in which the Nazi Party won the absolute majority of the popular vote during municipal elections. In 1932, Coburg was the first German town to make Adolf Hitler an honorary citizen . Coburg had Jewish citizens as early as the 14th century. In the 1870s they were granted permission to permanently lease the Church of St. Nicholas for conversion into a synagogue. In 1931 an unofficial boycott
10201-417: Was time for Alfred to leave the navy and enter a German university. By March of the following year, it was decided that Alfred would attend Bonn University but be left to consider his future, as he was having reservations over permanently residing outside England. The matter was eventually resolved; Alfred came to accept his inheritance, and Victoria understood and accepted that Ernest needed to be involved in
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