Wolrad II, Count of Waldeck-Eisenberg

Count Wolrad II "the Scholar" of Waldeck-Eisenberg (27 March 1509 – 15 April 1578), , was Count of Waldeck-Eisenberg from 1539.

By Wolrad and his relatives from the cadet branches, the Reformation in the County of Waldeck was almost completed. They defied the Emperor, had to fight for pardon, but remained Protestant and enforced the Reformation in their county. In the process, Wolrad took a leading position in the spiritual field.

Biography Wolrad was born on 27 March 1509 as the second son of Count Philip III of Waldeck-Eisenberg and his first wife Countess Adelaide of Hoya. Initially, Wolrad was not on the side of the Reformation. His father sent him to the court in Kassel, where the young Landgrave Philip I of Hesse also studied. Then Wolrad studied in Bielefeld and at the court of the Prince-bishop Érard de la Marck in Liège. He travelled through France and learned to speak French perfectly. He mastered Latin and Greek. His extensive education later earned him the nickname 'the Scholar'.

Wolrad was first a clergyman By the succession treaty Wolrad and his brother Otto obtained among others half of and half of the city of Waldeck – the other half was owned by Count Philip IV of Waldeck-Wildungen – and several villages of the district of the same name, Eisenberg Castle and with villages, the paternal part of Sachsenhausen, and Naumburg as well as Korbach and the Freigrafschaft Düdinghausen. After the death of his father in 1539, Wolrad took possession of it because his brother Otto renounced it and joined the Order of Saint John. which he and his son Josias later expanded.

Wolrad travelled to Augsburg with his half brothers Philip V, who as a Catholic clergyman had been on the side of the Protestants, and John I, as well as with Samuel, who had not been summoned at all. After Wolrad arrived in Augsburg on 14 April 1548, weeks passed by during which the Counts of Waldeck sought – and finally found – advocates. At the end of May, however, the Emperor declared that an apology was not enough for him. Philip and John had to pay him 5,000 guilders, Wolrad even 8,000, because he had turned against the Emperor in word and deed more than the other counts, so it was said. Wolrad had a hard time getting the money together, partly by pledging, through relatives and his subjects. On top of that he had to pay for his travelling expenses and stay in Augsburg – more than 2,000 guilders. He also pledged his share of Waldeck Castle. The Emperor resented Wolrad's participation in the Regensburger Religionsgespräch. He had to wait a long time, held talks for intercession and had difficulties to be admitted to the Emperor. Charles finally granted him his mercy. On 22 June 1548 the Emperor drew up the pardon charter. The next day, after more than two months in Augsburg, Wolrad and Philip were able to return home. On 12 August the Emperor also issued a letter of protection for Countess Dowager Anne and for Wolrad, Philip and John. However, the counts did not give up Protestantism. The counts Wolrad II, Philip IV, John I and Samuel issued a church order in 1556 after a synod in . Carefully and slowly they secularised the monasteries.

Marriage and issue Wolrad married at Waldeck Castle

Catherine (Waldeck Castle, 20 September 1547 – , 16 June 1613), was since 1588 Abbess of Schaaken Abbey. Francis (Korbach, 8 April 1549 – Waldeck Castle, 7 March 1552). Elizabeth (Waldeck Castle, 27/28 June 1550 – Waldeck Castle, 6 March 1552). (Korbach, 17 September 1551 – Arolsen, 15 October 1611), was since 1589 Abbess of Gandersheim Abbey. Henry William (Waldeck Castle, 3 November 1552 – 28 December 1559). Count Josias I (Eisenberg Castle, 18 March 1554 – Eisenberg Castle, 6 August 1588), succeeded his father as Count of Waldeck-Eisenberg in 1578. Married in 1582 to Countess Mary of Barby and Mühlingen (Magdeburg, 8 April 1563 – Waldeck Castle, 19/29 December 1619). Adelaide Walpurga (Eisenberg Castle, 11 September 1555 – Eisenberg Castle, 17 June 1570). Amelia (Eilhausen, 28 February 1558 – Eisenberg Castle, 18 March 1562). John Günther (Eisenberg Castle, 13 July 1559 – Eisenberg Castle, 19 November 1559). Jutta (Eisenberg Castle, 12 November 1560 – 1620), married on Eisenberg Castle in 1583 to Lord Henry XVIII of Reuss-Obergreiz (Glauchau, 25 July 1561 – Greiz, 8 February 1607). Magdalene Lucy (Eisenberg Castle, 16 February 1562 – Arolsen, 1 April 1621). Count (Waldeck Castle, 16 June 1563 – Anneau, 12 November 1587), served in the army of Count Palatine John Casimir. Catherine Anastasia (Eisenberg Castle, 20 March 1566 – Arolsen, 8 February 1635), married on 18 October 1585 to Count Wolfgang of Löwenstein-Scharfeneck (? – 29 November 1596).

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Literature