Who was Nikolaus I, Prince Esterházy?
Nikolaus I was born on 18 December 1714 in Vienna as the son of Prince
Joseph and Mária Octavia Baroness Gilleis of Theras and Sonneberg.
Nikolaus was the younger brother of Paul II Anton, Prince of Esterházy.
They were members of the famous Hungarian Esterházy family.
Early life
Prince Nikolaus was educated by Jesuits. He became a military officer
serving the Austrian Empire. He participated at the Battle of Kolin in 1757
where he led the wavering cavalry troops to victory. He was made
Lieutenant Field Marshal.
serving the Austrian Empire. He participated at the Battle of Kolin in 1757
where he led the wavering cavalry troops to victory. He was made
Lieutenant Field Marshal.
Prince Nikolaus became one of the original members of the Order of
Maria Theresa.
Maria Theresa.
In 1762 he was appointed captain of Maria Theresa's Hungarian bodyguard.
Other honours included the Golden Fleece and the Grade of Commander in
the Order of Maria Theresa.
the Order of Maria Theresa.
Love and Marriage
On 4 March 1737, Prince Nikolaus married Freiin Marie Elisabeth, a
daughter of a Reichsgraf (Count of the Holy Roman Empire) Ferdinand
von Weissenwolf.
daughter of a Reichsgraf (Count of the Holy Roman Empire) Ferdinand
von Weissenwolf.
Duty
When his brother died in 1762, Nikolaus inherited the title of Prince.
In 1766 Nikolaus began the construction of a new magnificent palace at
Eszterháza (now Fertöd) in rural Hungary. It is often called the Hungarian
Versailles.
In 1766 Nikolaus began the construction of a new magnificent palace at
Eszterháza (now Fertöd) in rural Hungary. It is often called the Hungarian
Versailles.
Nikolaus had a very high income, according to some sources, he was even
richer than the Austrian Emperor. Nikolaus was extravagant in his clothing
budget, and he wore a famous jacket studded with diamonds!
richer than the Austrian Emperor. Nikolaus was extravagant in his clothing
budget, and he wore a famous jacket studded with diamonds!
The prince also was a fantastic musician. He played cello, the viola da
Gamba and the baryton.
Gamba and the baryton.
On a diplomatic mission Goethe accompanied Nikolaus in Frankfurt.
This was during the coronation of Joseph II in 1764. He described him
as lively and at the same time eminently decorous without pride or
coldness.
This was during the coronation of Joseph II in 1764. He described him
as lively and at the same time eminently decorous without pride or
coldness.
Nikolaus supported a modest hospital in Eisenstadt and another in
Eszterháza.
Eszterháza.
Nikolaus also was known as the patron of Joseph Haydn. He inherited
the composer from his brother, who had hired him as Vice Kapellmeister
in 1761.
the composer from his brother, who had hired him as Vice Kapellmeister
in 1761.
Death
On 28 September 1790, Prince Nikolaus I of Esterházy died in Vienna.
Source pictures: Wikipedia
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