Karl Ferdinand von Österreich

Archduke Karl Ferdinand of Austria-Teschen was born in Vienna on July 29, 1818, and died on November 20, 1874, at the Teschen family estate in Gross-Seelowitz, now Židlochovice in the Czech Republic. He belonged to the Teschen branch of the House of Habsburg-Lorraine and held the titles of Austrian archduke and Duke of Teschen. He later served as an Imperial and Royal General of Cavalry. His father was Archduke Karl of Austria, the first Duke of Teschen and a distinguished military commander. Archduke Karl was the third son of Emperor Leopold II and became especially renowned for defeating Napoleon at the Battle of Aspern in May 1809. He also played an important role in the Battle of Leipzig in 1813, which contributed to the collapse of the French Empire. In recognition of his military achievements, Emperor Francis I made him the first Duke of Teschen. Karl Ferdinand’s mother was Princess Henriette Alexandrine of Nassau-Weilburg, a daughter of Duke Friedrich Wilhelm of Nassau-Weilburg and Luise Isabella of Kirchberg. Karl Ferdinand was the second son among his parents’ seven children. His siblings included Archduchess Maria Theresa Isabella, who later became Queen of Naples and Sicily, and his elder brother Archduke Albrecht. After their father’s death in 1847, Albrecht inherited the title of second Duke of Teschen and the family’s extensive estates. The other siblings were Archduke Friedrich Ferdinand Leopold, who became known for his service in the London Alliance’s Syrian campaign of 1840; Archduchess Maria Karolina; Archduke Wilhelm; and Archduke Rudolf Franz, who died at birth. In keeping with family tradition and the expectations placed on the sons of the victorious commander, Karl Ferdinand also embarked on a military career. He began his service in Brno’s 57th Infantry Regiment and later became a brigade commander in the Imperial Army in Italy. At the age of 18, he received the Order of the Golden Fleece in 1836. From 1840 to 1843, Baron Franz Nopcsa served as his court chamberlain. Nopcsa was a captain in a Hussar regiment named after Field Marshal Radetzky and later pursued a distinguished career in administration and court service. In 1848, Karl Ferdinand fought in Prague against the Bohemian national uprising. After the suppression of the Revolution and War of Independence of 1848–1849, he took part in the efforts of the Austrian imperial family to overcome political and social tensions through a policy of reconciliation. He also became proprietor of the Venetian 51st Infantry Regiment, named after him, whose soldiers were predominantly Transylvanians of the Unitarian faith. In August 1856, he attended the consecration of Esztergom Cathedral together with Emperor Franz Joseph and other members of the ruling family. In 1859, Karl Ferdinand was given command of the IV Army Corps on the Italian front, where Austrian troops were fighting against the Italian national movement. The following year, he was transferred once again to Brno. On November 7, 1860, he was promoted to General of Cavalry. In this capacity, he subsequently served in Moravia and Silesia. Karl Ferdinand married Archduchess Elisabeth Franziska of Austria on April 18, 1854. She belonged to the Hungarian palatine branch of the House of Habsburg-Lorraine and was a close relative of her husband: his first cousin and, on his mother’s side, his second cousin. Elisabeth Franziska was the daughter of Archduke Joseph, Karl Ferdinand’s uncle, and Princess Maria Dorothea of Württemberg. It was her second marriage. Her first husband had been Ferdinand Karl Viktor of Austria-Este, Duke of Modena, with whom she had a daughter, Maria Theresa, who later became Queen of Bavaria. Karl Ferdinand and Elisabeth Franziska had six children, four of whom reached adulthood. Their first son, Archduke Franz Joseph, died only a few days after his birth in March 1855. Born in 1856, Archduke Friedrich later became Duke of Teschen and an Imperial and Royal Field Marshal. Their daughter Maria Christina married King Alfonso XII of Spain and thereby became Queen of Spain. Archduke Karl Stephan became Inspector General of the Imperial and Royal Navy, while Archduke Eugen attained the rank of field marshal and became Grand Master of the Teutonic Order. The youngest daughter, Archduchess Maria Eleonore, also died in infancy, about a month after her birth. Karl Ferdinand died at the age of 56 on the Teschen ducal estate in Gross-Seelowitz. He was buried in the Capuchin Church in Vienna, in the Habsburg Crypt. After his death, his childless elder brother Albrecht adopted Karl Ferdinand’s orphaned sons, Friedrich, Karl Stephan, and Eugen. Raised by their experienced uncle, all three attained high military ranks and important command positions in the Imperial and Royal Army. For this reason, this branch of the family was often called the “Line of Field Commanders.” When Archduke Albrecht died in 1895, Karl Ferdinand’s eldest son Friedrich inherited the title of third Duke of Teschen and the extensive ducal estates, making him one of the richest men in the Empire.