Died 25 November 1647 | ||
Children George Louis I, Count of Erbach-Erbach, George Albert II, Count of Erbach-Fürstenau Parents George III, Count of Erbach-Breuberg, Maria von Barby-Mühlingen Grandchildren Countess Sophia Albertine of Erbach-Erbach People also search for George Louis I, Count of Erbach-Erbach Great grandchildren Princess Elisabeth Albertine of Saxe-Hildburghausen | ||
George Albert I, Count of Erbach-Schönberg (16 December 1597 – 25 November 1647), was a German prince member of the House of Erbach and ruler over Schönberg, Seeheim, Reichenberg, Fürstenau and since 1643 over all the Erbach family lands.
Contents
Born in Erbach, he was the fourth child and second (but eldest surviving) son of George III, Count of Erbach-Breuberg and his fourth wife Maria, a daughter of Count Albert X of Barby-Mühlingen.
Life
After the death of their father, George Albert I and his surviving elder half-brothers divided the Erbach domains in 1606: he received the districts of Schönberg and Seeheim.
In 1617 he was captured by pirates and taken to Tunis, but shortly after he was ransomed.
In 1623, after the death of his eldest half-brother Frederick Magnus without surviving issue, the remaining brothers divided his domains: George Albert I received the district of Reichenberg.
In 1627, with the death of another half-brother, John Casimir, unmarried and without issue, was made another land division; this time George Albert I received Fürstenau. Finally, the death of his last surviving half-brother Louis I in 1643 without living sons, allowed George Albert I to reunited all the Erbach family possessions.
George Albert I died in Erbach aged 49 and was buried in Michelstadt.
Marriages and Issue
In Erbach on 29 May 1624 George Albert I married firstly with Magdalena (13 November 1595 – 31 July 1633), a daughter of Johann VI, Count of Nassau-Dillenburg and his third wife Johannetta of Sayn-Wittgenstein. They had six children:
On 23 February 1634 George Albert I married secondly with Anna Dorothea (1612 – 23 June 1634), a daughter of Albert, Schenk of Limpurg-Gaildorf and his wife Emilie of Rogendorf. They had no children.
In Frankfurt am Main on 26 July 1635 George Albert I married thirdly with Elisabeth Dorothea (27 August 1617 – 12 November 1655), a daughter of George Frederick II, Count of Hohenlohe-Waldenburg in Schillingsfürst and his wife Dorothea Sophie of Solms-Hohensolms. They had nine children: