Prince Albert, the beloved husband of Queen Victoria and the father of nine children, is well-known for his role in shaping the British monarchy and society in the 19th century. But what about his elder brother, Ernest II, who was also a prominent figure in European politics and culture? How did he die and what was his legacy?
Early Life and Marriage
Ernest II was born on June 21, 1818, in Coburg, Germany, as the eldest son of Ernest I, Duke of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld, and Princess Louise of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg. He had a close relationship with his younger brother Albert, who was born in 1819. The two brothers shared a common education and interests, especially in music and art. Ernest was also a talented composer and wrote several operas and songs.
In 1842, Ernest married Princess Alexandrine of Baden, a cousin of Queen Victoria. The marriage was arranged by their parents and was not based on love or affection. The couple had no children and lived separately for most of their lives. Ernest had several affairs with other women, while Alexandrine devoted herself to charitable causes.
Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha
In 1844, Ernest succeeded his father as Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, a small German state that consisted of two separate duchies. He was a liberal and progressive ruler who supported the German unification movement and the constitutional reforms in his own domains. He also gave asylum to political exiles from other German states that were under the influence of the conservative Prussian government.
Ernest played an active role in the Schleswig-Holstein Wars against Denmark in 1848 and 1864. He sent thousands of troops to fight alongside the German Confederation and became the commander of a German corps. He was instrumental in the victory at the Battle of Eckernförde in 1849, where he captured a Danish fleet with minimal casualties.
Ernest had a complicated relationship with his brother Albert and his sister-in-law Victoria. He often visited them in England and was fond of his nieces and nephews. However, he also disagreed with them on many political issues, especially regarding the Schleswig-Holstein question and the role of Prussia in Germany. He also resented Albert’s influence over Victoria and his interference in his own affairs.
Ernest was briefly considered as a candidate for the Greek throne in 1862, after King Otto was deposed by a popular uprising. However, he declined the offer, preferring to remain in Germany. He also supported his nephew Prince Alfred as a candidate for the Spanish throne in 1868, but Alfred withdrew his candidacy after facing opposition from France.
Ernest sided with Prussia in the Austro-Prussian War of 1866, despite his personal ties with Austria. He put his troops under Prussian command and fought against his former allies in the German Confederation. He also joined Prussia in the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-1871, which resulted in the creation of the German Empire under Emperor William I.
Later Years and Death
Ernest spent his later years mostly in Coburg, where he continued to pursue his musical interests and patronize various artists and scholars. He also maintained a correspondence with many European leaders and personalities, such as Napoleon III, Bismarck, Garibaldi, Wagner, Liszt, Dickens, Darwin, and Marx.
Ernest died on August 22, 1893, at Reinhardsbrunn Castle in Thuringia. He was 75 years old and had suffered from various ailments for some time. He was buried at Friedhof am Glockenberg [de] in Coburg. His wife Alexandrine survived him by six years.
Since Ernest had no children, his title was inherited by his nephew Alfred, Duke of Edinburgh, the second son of Albert and Victoria. Ernest’s memoirs were published as Aus meinem Leben und aus meiner Zeit (“From My Life and My Time”), in three volumes (1887-1889).
Conclusion
Ernest II was a remarkable man who lived through a turbulent era in European history. He was a liberal duke who supported German unification and constitutionalism. He was also a military leader who fought against Denmark and France. He was a cultural patron who composed music and fostered arts and sciences. He was Prince Albert’s brother who had a complex bond with him and Queen Victoria.
Ernest II’s cause of death was not as dramatic or tragic as his brother’s, who died of typhoid fever at age 42. However, he left behind a rich legacy that deserves to be remembered and appreciated.
