Johann Weikhard of Auersperg
Quick Facts
Biography
Prince Johhan Weikhard of Auersperg (also spelled Johann Weichard von Auersperg, 11 March 1615 at Žužemberk Castle – 11 November 1677 in Ljubljana) was a Prime Minister of Austria. He was the first Prince of Auersperg, and also Imperial Prince of Tengen and Duke of Münsterberg.
Life
He was a descendant of the elder line of the Auersperg family from Carniola. His parents were Theodore of Auersperg and Sidonia Gall of Gallenstein.
Johann Weikhard held several positions at the Austrian court. From 1640, he was Hofmeister and teacher of Ferdinand IV, who was King of the Romans at the time. In 1653, Emperor Ferdinand III raised him to Imperial Prince. In 1654, Ferdinand III, in his capacity as King of Bohemia, enfeofed him with the Duchy of Münsterberg and the City of Ząbkowice Śląskie. He then styled himself Duke of Münsterberg.
He held great political influence during the first decade of the rule of Emperor Leopold I. As prime minister of Austria, he concluded a secret treaty with France on 19 January 1668 about the division of the Spanish monarchy and worked towards a Catholic triple alliance between Austria, France and Spain. He was, however, suspected of having had secret talks with king Louis XIV of France, who was alleged to have promised him a post as Cardinal and was suddenly relieved of his duties on 10 December 1669 and banished from the court. He was sentenced to death, however, this sentence was never effectuated. He lived the rest of his life on his estates in Carniola.
In 1673, he inherited the Lordships of Kočevje and Žužemberk from his elder brother Wolf Engelbrecht, Count of Auersperg.
Marriage
Johann Wekhard married Maria Catherine of Losenberg (1635–1691). They had three sons and five daughters. He was succeeded as Duke of Münsterberg by his sons Johann Ferdinand and Franz Karl.