Otto, Landgrave of Hesse-Kassel

Landgrave Otto of Hessen-Kassel (24 December 1594 in Kassel – 7 August 1617 in Hersfeld), was hereditary prince of Hesse-Kassel and administrator of Hersfeld Abbey.

Life

Otto was the eldest son of Landgrave Maurice of Hesse-Kassel (1572-1632) from his marriage to Agnes (1578-1602), the daughter of Count John George of Solms-Laubach.

Otto was educated by his father, together with his siblings. When he was 10 years, he was enlisted in Hersfeld Abbey. He became administrator of the Abbey in 1606, and Joachim Röll, the abbot, intended him to become coadjutor and his successor as abbot.

After completing his studies at the University of Marburg, Otto made a Grand Tour, visiting London and Paris. When he returned, his father involved him in the business of government.

In 1617, he suffered from the German measles. He had a fever and from his sickbed, he tried to shoot a barking dog, which annoyed him. He missed so badly that he hit himself in the chest and died. He was buried in the Lutheran St. Mary's church in Marburg.

Marriages and issue

In Kassel on 24 August 1613 Otto married firstly Catherine Ursula (b. Schloss Karlsburg, 19 June 1593 - d. Marburg, 15 February 1615), daughter of George Frederick, Margrave of Baden-Durlach. She died after giving birth a still-born son.

In Dessau on 14 June 1617 Otto married secondly Agnes Magdalene (b. Dessau, 29 March 1590 - d. Eschwege, 24 October 1626), daughter of John George I, Prince of Anhalt-Dessau. This marriage was childless.

Otto left a son born out of wedlock:

• Ernest Reinhard of Hattenbach (b. posthumously Hachborn, 17 December 1617 - d. Rodenberg, 1 April 1694), married in 1669 to Anna Katharina of Hake (d. 1707).

Ancestors