Louis VIII, Landgrave of Hesse-Darmstadt explained

Louis VIII
Succession:Landgrave of Hesse-Darmstadt
Reign:12 September 1739 –
17 October 1768
Predecessor:Ernest Louis
Successor:Louis IX
Issue:Louis IX, Landgrave of Hesse-Darmstadt
Prince George William
Caroline Louise, Margravine of Baden
House:Hesse-Darmstadt
Father:Ernest Louis, Landgrave of Hesse-Darmstadt
Mother:Dorothea Charlotte of Brandenburg-Ansbach
Birth Date:5 April 1691
Birth Place:Darmstadt
Death Place:Darmstadt
Burial Place:Stadtkirche Darmstadt

Louis VIII (German: Ludwig; 5 April 1691 – 17 October 1768) was the Landgrave of Hesse-Darmstadt from 1739 to 1768. He was the son of Ernest Louis, Landgrave of Hesse-Darmstadt and Margravine Dorothea Charlotte of Brandenburg-Ansbach.

Life

In 1717, he was married to Countess Charlotte Christine of Hanau-Lichtenberg and he received Hanau-Lichtenberg as an addition to his dominions. His mistress was Helena Martini. Because of his passion for hunting, he is known as the "Hunting Landgrave" (German: Jagdlandgraf). During the Seven Years' War he stood on the side of the Emperor and received the rank of General Field Marshal.

Like his father, Louis was not a gifted economist and only his good relationship with Empress Maria Theresa and her intervention at the Imperial Court Council kept the Landgraviate from bankruptcy. However, his caring for his country is documented by the establishment of a textile house in 1742 and a state orphanage in the 1746.

Issue

Children:

External links

Sources

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