Frederick of Hesse-Darmstadt


Frederick of Hesse-Darmstadt was a German protestant and soldier who converted to Catholicism, became a cardinal and was appointed Crown-cardinal of Austria.

Early life

Frederick was born in Darmstadt, Germany, the 12th child of Louis V, Landgrave of Hesse-Darmstadt. Born into a Lutheran family, he converted to Catholicism at the age of 20 and entered the Order of St. John of Jerusalem.
He served as a soldier during a number of conflicts and became an admiral in the navy of the Kingdom of Spain. In 1647 he became Grand Prior of the Order of St. John in Germany and travelled throughout Italy, Spain and Germany.

Ecclesiastic career

Eventually he made his way to Rome and entered the service of Pope Innocent X.
In 1652 he was elevated to cardinal by Pope Innocent and participated in the Papal conclave of 1655.
He was appointed papal legate to Queen Christina of Sweden, who had converted to Catholicism and arrived in Rome in November 1655.
In 1671 he was elected Bishop of Breslau and was subsequently appointed administrator of Breslau for six months from October 1671. Frederick of Hessen-Darmstadt died in Breslau on 19 February 1682.