Frederick, Count Palatine of Zweibrücken


Frederick was the Duke of Zweibrücken from 1635 until 1661.

Life

Frederick was born in Zweibrücken in 1616 as the elder son of John II, Count Palatine of Zweibrücken. He succeeded his father in 1635. During his reign, Palatinate-Zweibrücken was devastated during the Thirty Years' War. The population of the duchy had decreased to a mere tenth of the population during the turn of the Century. Most of his castles were destroyed and he spent most of his reign moving between residences. In 1650 he settled for a few years in Castle Kirkel after its reconstruction. He carefully attempted to rebuild his shattered duchy.
Frederick died in Veldenz Castle in 1661 and was buried in the Alexanderkirche in Zweibrücken. Without any male heirs, the elder branch of Palatinate-Zweibrücken became extinct. Palatinate-Zweibrücken was inherited by Frederick Louis.

Marriage

Frederick married Anna Juliane of Nassau-Saarbrücken, daughter of Count William Louis, on 6 April 1640 and had the following children:
  1. William Louis
  2. Elizabeth - married to Victor Amadeus, Prince of Anhalt-Bernburg
  3. Christine Louise Juliana
  4. Frederick Louis
  5. Sophie Amalie, married John Charles, Count Palatine of Gelnhausen.
  6. Eleanore Augusta
  7. Charles Gustavus
  8. Catherine Charlotte
  9. Charlotte Fredericka
  10. unnamed son

    Ancestors