Marie-Josèphe d'Autriche

Électrice de Saxe

Marie-Josèphe d'Autriche, c. 1745, by Louis de Silvestre

Margravine de Misnie

Nécropole Électorale, Cathédrale de la Sainte-Trinité de Dresde, Dresde, Électorat de Saxe

### Children

Frédéric de Saxe
Joseph de Saxe

Frédéric-Chrétien de Saxe

Marie-Amélie de Saxe

Marie-Marguerite de Saxe

Marie-Anne de Saxe

François-Xavier de Saxe

Marie-Josèphe de Saxe

Charles-Christian de Saxe

Christine de Saxe

Marie-Élisabeth de Saxe

Albert de Saxe-Teschen

Clément-Guillaume de Saxe

Cunégonde de Saxe

### Siblings

Léopold Joseph d'Autriche († 1701)
Marie-Amélie d'Autriche

### Religion

Protestant-Lutheranism

**Marie-Josèphe Bénédicte Antoinette Thérèse Xaveria Philippine d'Autriche** (8th December 1699 - 17th November 1757) was an Austrian Archduchess and Electress of Saxony by marriage. Born into the illustrious House of Habsburg, she was the daughter of Holy Roman Emperor Joseph I and his consort, Wilhelmine-Amélie de Brunswick. Her childhood was tumultuous, filled with politics and scandal. Her blood was filled with imperial dignity- she was the granddaughter of Leopold I of Austria, the defender of the Great Siege of Vienna in 1683; the niece of Charles VI of Austria- the prospective Spanish Infante and later Holy Roman Emperor.

For years, the House of Habsburg had faced a succession crisis. Her father's sudden death in 1711 shifted Austrian politics, igniting Europe in a series of wars. As the eldest-born child of Joseph I, she was expected to inherit the throne according to the ***Pragmatic Sanction of 1713,*** in the event of the male line going extinct. Raised from birth with the expectation that she would some day succeed to the throne, this aspiration was quelled far sooner than expected. Her uncle, Charles VI, became Emperor, establishing his own dynasty.

An underestimated daughter of Austria, Marie-Josèphe's role in the Austrian Succession was overshadowed by the prospects of marriage. Frequently brushed-off by her Emperial uncle, Marie-Josèphe took on a more pious approach to her life and was predicted by the courtiers in the Palais Royal de Turin to end up taking the veil. This was not to be her destiny; In 1719, she was betrothed in an arranged marriage, to the future Elector of Saxony, Frédéric-Auguste II de Saxe. Her marriage to a Saxon prince was her uncle's piecemeal to entice Frédéric-Auguste II's father, Frédéric-Auguste I *(colloqially, **Augustus the Strong**)* to pledge greater loyalty to Austria, rather than bend to the will of Prussia, Russia or even France. This would be her moment to strike.

Uncharacteristic of her pedigree and the era, Marie-Josèphe and Frédéric-Auguste enjoyed a happy, if not, serene marriage. When the wedding cortège arrived in Dresden, their coach was showered in lilies and roses. This was the beginning of a long, happy tenure as spouses. Well-received in Dresden, Marie-Josèphe set about changing Saxony's orientation from Vienna to Berlin, setting her eyes upon Prussia. Never overstepping herself, she would spend several years in secrecy, corresponding with the Prussian heir and future ruler, prince Frédéric.

Posing a threat to his own children's succession, Charles VI had forced Marie-Josèphe and her sister, Marie-Amélie, to renounce the succession and either take up the veil as nuns, or be married-off. The sisters chose the later, enjoining in a lucrative marriage contract with both Saxony and Bavaria, respectively. Feeling betrayed by Austria in every sense, robbed of her inheritance, Marie-Josèphe looked for other avenues upon the event of her marriage in 1719 to Frédéric-Auguste II de Saxe. Her marriage to a Saxon prince was her uncle's piecemeal to entice Frédéric-Auguste II's father, Frédéric-Auguste I *(colloqially, **Augustus the Strong**)* to pledge greater loyalty to Austria, rather than bend to the will of Prussia, Russia or even France. This would be her moment to strike.

On the occasion of her husband's succession to the Saxon throne in 1733, Marie-Josèphe embarked on her campaign of political greatness, much to the vexation of Charles VI. Almost immediately, she flipped the tables of Saxon politics in favour of Prussian interests; aligning with Prussia's soldier-king*,* Frédéric-Guillaume*,* along with making overtures to both the courts of Saint-Petersburg and Hanover. Her reign was marked by currying favouritism with foreign powers- namely Prussia, in order to create a safeguard for Saxony in the event of Austrian aggression.

Marie-Josèphe's character was marked by poise, elegance, grace and relentless pietism. She became well-known for her religious fervour, keeping the company of clergymen and theologians alike; a devout Christian, she was restless in her efforts to enforce the fear of God in her children. Despite her nunnery-like tendencies, Marie-Josèphe had a sweet, yet powerful influential character. She was an influential figure at the court of Frédéric le Grand. She was loyal and passionate about caring for those she loved dearly.

A great proponent of tradition, Marie-Josèphe enjoyed the etiquette of the court and carried out her duties as expected of her, bar no exception. A worldly and cultivated woman, she enjoyed all things rich in beauty. Marie-Josèphe was a large supporter of fashion and often influenced the court fashions of the time, pushing for the interests and desires of those around her- including the Queen. Despite the unsteady beginning and her many shortcomings, she managed to settle into her new position at the Prussian court, establishing herself as a prominent figure in Berlin society and the Prussian nobility. Her tenure as Electress of Saxony would see both success and failures, mainly stemming from her harsh nature but also a drive to do better; eventually, causing her to form various alliances and gain enemies both big and small who did not welcome the chaotic force of nature at court.

Born and bred as an Austrian Princess, her character changed over the course of Prussia's rise to power in the Friderician Era. Over time, her Austrian tenderness changed into Prussian bravery. Marie-Josèphe enjoyed great influence at court, becoming politically active in the Estates-General and other political chambers. Politically agile with courtly influence, coupled with a personal finesse that curtailed her opposition; Marie-Josèphe proved to be a great politician on top of being a master of etiquette. Her final years of life were spent advocating for greater religious freedoms for Protestants in Europe, and the betterment of Saxon interests against the looming threats of Austrian interests in Germany. Despite her lineage, she advocated for the waning status of her native House of Habsburg, vexing her nemisis-niece, Maria-Theresia. In her twilight, she devoted her life to charity and goodwill. She would die of a stroke during the opening months of the Seven Years' War in her apartment of the *Residenzschloss* in Dresden.

## Early Years

### **Birth**

The occasion of Maria Josepha's birth took place on a cold winter's morning in the Imperial apartments of the Hofburg in Vienna. The whole Austrian court was present for the birthing in the Princely Bedchamber. It was an auspicious day of goodwill, as her father, Kronprinz *Joseph* was hoping to sire a son and provide succession for what would eventually be his throne.

After several hours of labour, the infant *Erzherzogin* was born on the midday of December 8th, 1699, at the Hofburg, to the future *Joseph I of Austria* and his consort, *Wilhelmine Amalie of Brunswick.* As Joseph was the heir, it would be expected of him to produce a son as per the expectations of Habsburg law. Although it turned out to be a girl, there was neither disappointment nor excitement upon her birth. It was a neutrally accepted arrival and met with adequate and modest celebration. Naturally, upon her birth, Maria Josepha was given the title entitled to a daughter of the House of Habsburg; *Archduchess of Austria*.

### **Imperial Infancy**

Vienna was so renowned for its extravagance, yet most of Europe forgets that it's one of the most carefree courts to exist. There is neither the vigorousness of Versailles, the mundaneness of Madrid, the lacklusterness of London, nor the peculiarities of Saint Petersburg.

Maria Josepha was christened several days after her birth in the *Hofkapelle* of the Hofburg. The ceremony was an elaborate one, quite customary to the Viennese court lifestyle. During her infancy, Maria Josepha was described as a happy child. It was often remarked that a small troop of Swiss Guards would escort the infant as she crawled freely throughout the vast marble halls and played happily in the gardens. Her care was charged to a small army of Jesuits, Nuns, tutors and governesses. There wasn't a dull moment of this Archduchess's childhood. Some courtiers remarked that the young Archduchess obtained an admiration of music from a young age, possibly due to the exposition of the vast court festivities and operas found throughout Vienna.

###

### **Childhood & Upbringing**

Over the next following years, Maria Josepha would be joined by two siblings. In 1700, Archduchess Wilhelmine gave birth to a son, Leopold Joseph, who unfortunately died soon after. Then a year later, Maria Josepha was joined by her sister *Maria Amalia.* The childhood of the two Archduchess's would be viewed as a special one, as the early 18th-century would be filled with numerous historical events of great importance.

All of Europe, including Austria, was rising to arms. Austria's old rivals, the Ottoman Empire was beginning to attack continental Europe with the spite of Grand Vizier *Baltacı Mehmet.* In 1710, the Turks launched a war against Tsar *Peter the Great* of Russia, reconquering the lower Crimea and threatening the Principality of Moldavia. Thereafter, in the *Ottoman–Venetian War (1714–1718),* the new Grand Vizier *Damat Ali* re-conquered the Morea and all of Greece from the *Venetians* in 1715. This series of Ottoman provocations was a direct violation of the treaty that was the celebration of Maria Josepha's birth in the first place - the ***Treaty of Karlowitz*** of 1699. Now reigning as Holy Roman Emperor, Maria's father - Leopold, now *Leopold I* - intended to dethrone his Turkish nemesis' from their pedestal of war. War was coming, and Austria would be the spearhead of *Christianity's* attack on the *Islamic* Ottomans.

The illustrious and veteran *Eugen von Savoyen* was called to Vienna, to take charge of the Imperial Army. Eugene of Savoy was regarded as one of Europe's greatest leaders at the time; ranking next to King *Louis XIV of France* himself, along with the *Duke of Marlborough* and even Soldatenkönig *Friedrich Wilhelm I* of Prussia. To prevent the near-disaster of 1683, Maria Josepha and Maria Amalia were hastily prepared to be sent to the Prince-Bishopric of Salzburg to complete their education and stay away from the dangers of war.

## Minority

### **Education in Salzburg**

On New Years' day of 1716, Emperor Joseph had declared war on the Ottomans. In the meanwhile, preparations had been made for the transport of his daughters to Salzburg. It was a chilly morning; all of Vienna was alive with wars' alarms as a thunderstorm of bells from the countless cathedrals, churches, and even the Hofburg's own chapel rang to rejoice the coming of war.

The two Archduchess's boarded a gilded state coach in a convoy of 10 wagons carrying their luggage and an escort of 500 Footguards and Cuirassiers. Their departure was described as such; *"The Archduchess's, who departed from Court in 6 coaches and two carriages, with 10 wagon loads of luggage, arrived at Salzburg after a journey lasting nine days. The Prince-Bishop of Vienna, who returned to his native diocese, took the good grace to receive the youthful girls. The Prince-Bishop, who had dawned his elaborate crimson and ermine-robed cassock was accompanied by four singing nuns."* Upon their arrival, the princess's procession was greeted with trumpets and kettle drums in fanfare; the bells of the Salzburg cathedral ringing nearby

Salzburg was chosen for its great prestige and the fact that it was heavily fortified. The Prince-Archbishops had traditionally been highly-favoured courtiers, and the city itself was a veritable miniature Vienna in its own right. The two Archduchess's received a highly cultured education as the Prince-Archbishop permitted them apartments in his palace. Salzburg was home, away from home. Franz Anton von Harrach was benevolent, affable and popular as Prince-Archbishop. He loved the pomp and excessiveness of his rank, and often showered the girls with gifts and treated them as if they were his own children.

Mara Josepha enjoyed her studies in Salzburg. She, along with her sister, were tutored by the Prince-Archbishop and a whole troop of Abbots, Nuns, and tutors from Salzburg University. The Archduchess's were enrolled in a vigorous royal curriculum of literature, theology, languages such as *French, German, Latin, Italian* and even some *English.* Amongst their other classes were history, politics and dance. Overall, Maria Josepha was said to be an intelligent girl and took well to her studies, even with the odd difficulty paying attention.