Countess Cosel and the Stolpen Castle - Bautzener Bote

If one believes the legend, August the strong fell in love with a fire in the winter of 1704 in the later known countess Cosel.The residence of the finance minister Adolph Magnus von Hoym is on fire.His wife, Anna Constantia, coordinates the extinguishing work when the Elector's carriage drives past - and he was supposedly immediately in love.

But the story rather begins.Anna Constantia Reichsgräfin von Cosel, born.by Brockdorff (* 17.October 1680 in Depenau;† 31.March 1765 in Stolpen) In addition to Aurora von Königsmarck, the best known mistress of the Saxon Elector August of the strong was.The "Cosel" grew up as the daughter of the knight Joachim von Brockdorff and his wife Anna Margarethe, daughter of the rich Hamburger Leonhard Marselis, on Gut Depenau.The marriage of Brockdorff, who came from one of the oldest noble families in Holstein, but was considered unchastic with the bourgeois merchant daughter.Anna Constantia received an unusually comprehensive training for a baroque girl: she learned several languages, received lessons in mathematics and in classical education, rode in the women's and men's saddle and had a passion for hunting.

In 1699 Anna Constantia met the director of the Saxon General Acquises College, Adolph Magnus von Hoym, in Wolfenbüttel, who stopped around her hand in 1699.The marriage took place on 2.June 1703, but already in January 1705 he submitted the divorce.In the same year it will be the official mistress of the Elector.It is an annual pension as a mistress that is higher than that of the minister.August der Starke gives her Pillnitz Castle and lets her build the pocket mountain palace in Dresden.And: she wrestles a marriage promise.In a secret contract, he undertakes to marry her in the event that his wife, the elector, dies.In this serious document, her care was also regulated, so it should be 100.000 Taler received annually.

In February 1706, Anna Constantia was appointed Reich Countess of Cosel by the emperor at August's request.The imperial countess becomes one of the most powerful women on the glamorous Saxon court.

Her glamorous time at Dresdner Hof lasts eight years, three children gave them the strong August.Then "the Cosel" becomes too powerful, as well as the influential minister of Flemming.In 1714 August fell in love with Dönhoff in Maria Magdalena, a love that also seems politically cheap.With the young Polish at his side, the Saxon Elector and King of Poland can demonstrate to his kingdom.Anna Constantia is deported to her widow's seat, Pillnitz Castle.On 12.December 1715 she traveled to Berlin to procure the marriage contract requested by August.However, since she was not allowed to leave Pillnitz, this trip was considered an escape.With this she had created a situation that the Elector could not accept.That written marriage promise that August made her issue her at the time, she was now doomed.If such a document had become public, especially in Prussia, this would have resulted in a Europe -wide embarrassment by the Saxon Elector and King of Poland.August was therefore forced to act and offered the Prussian king in an exchange against the delivery of the countess to Saxony, Prussian deserters fled to Saxony.

The Cosel came on 21.November 1716 finally via Halle and Nossen back to Dresden.It was placed under arrest by the king and on 24.December 1716 transferred to Stolpen Castle.But they are strictly isolated and censored their letters.Five employees were available to her.

August died in 1733, but the arrest of the Cosel continued.It was not until 1743 that the Saxon court opened the spell.The Zeughaus was now burned down by a lightning strike and the tragic ex-loved one moved into the Johannisturm, which was later named after it,.August the Cosel left its own property.She continued to receive income from her country goods.After the files at that time, their assets were more than 500.000 thaler.

Anna Constantia from Cosel died on 31.March 1765 84 years old at the Stolpen Castle after 49 years of captivity.Your burial site is located in the castle chapel.