Frederick Casimir Kettler studied law in Germany and visited a number of European courts. In 1673 he was in the Dutch military service and took part with his Courland regiment in the Franco-Dutch War. On 5 October 1675, in The Hague, Frederick Casimir married princess Sophie Amalie of Nassau-Siegen and returned home. After his father died Frederick Casimir became the Duke of Courland and Semigallia and vigorously resorted to public affairs. In 1684 the duke's book printer George Radeckis in Jelgava became the first person to print books in the Latvian language. His efforts to restore his lands were stopped by the power of Sweden, which at that time prevailed in northern Europe. However, Friedrich Casimir presided over a splendid court life with his Dutch consort.
In 1688 Sophie Amalie died and In 1691 Frederick Casimir celebrated a large-scale wedding with Elisabeth Sophie of Brandenburg.
During his reign trade and industry of the duchy started to decay. In 1693 the Tobago colony was sold to England. In the spring of 1697, Friedrich Casimir received a grand delegation from Russia, including the new Tsar Peter I, on whom the Jelgava Palace and its court left a great impression. The duchy and Russia held diplomatic talks on mutual cooperation against the Swedes, but in the next winter of 1698, Frederick Casimir died at the age of 47 leaving His minor son Frederick Wilhelm became the next duke.
Frederick Casimir Kettler studied law in Germany and visited a number of European courts. In 1673 he was in the Dutch military service and took part with his Courland regiment in the Franco-Dutch War. On 5 October 1675, in The Hague, Frederick Casimir married princess Sophie Amalie of Nassau-Siegen and returned home. After his father died Frederick Casimir became the Duke of Courland and Semigallia and vigorously resorted to public affairs. In 1684 the duke's book printer George Radeckis in Jelgava became the first person to print books in the Latvian language. His efforts to restore his lands were stopped by the power of Sweden, which at that time prevailed in northern Europe. However, Friedrich Casimir presided over a splendid court life with his Dutch consort.
In 1688 Sophie Amalie died and In 1691 Frederick Casimir celebrated a large-scale wedding with Elisabeth Sophie of Brandenburg.
During his reign trade and industry of the duchy started to decay. In 1693 the Tobago colony was sold to England. In the spring of 1697, Friedrich Casimir received a grand delegation from Russia, including the new Tsar Peter I, on whom the Jelgava Palace and its court left a great impression. The duchy and Russia held diplomatic talks on mutual cooperation against the Swedes, but in the next winter of 1698, Frederick Casimir died at the age of 47 leaving His minor son Frederick Wilhelm became the next duke.
Family Members
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Friedrich Johann Kettler
1682–1683
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Maria Dorothea von Kurland
1684–1743
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Eleonore Charlotte von Kurland
1686–1748
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Amalia Luise von Kurland von Nassau-Siegen
1687–1750
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Christina Sophie Kettler
1688–1694
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Friedrich Wilhelm Kettler
1692–1711
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Leopold Karl Kettler
1693–1697
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Stillborn Daughter Kettler
1695–1695
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