Duke James (Jakob, 16101681): the path to the throne
Duke James (Jakob) was born in Goldingen/Kuldīga Castle on 28 October 1610. From the age of two he was brought up by his mother's relatives in Königsberg and Berlin. In 1616, when Duke William was removed from the throne, James also lost his right of succession. As late as 1589, the Sejm of Poland-Lithuania had passed a law that when the Kettler dynasty ended the fief of Courland-Semigallia might by annexed to Lithuania. Thus, restoration of James' right of succession was important both for Duke Frederick, who had no children of his own, and for the knights of the duchy, who in 16161617 had prevailed in their struggle with the dukes and accordingly wished to preserve the duchy in its existing form. The Courlanders had to apply considerable effort in order to restore, if not the rights to the throne of William, then at least James' right to succession. In 1623 Duke Frederick recalled James, who was then studying at the University of Leipzig, to Courland, and in May 1624 the prince was welcomed with ceremony in Goldingen/Kuldīga. The King of Poland finally recognised James as heir to the throne in 1633, but his status was under threat even as late as 1637. However, thanks to Duke Frederick's diplomatic efforts, James could accede to the throne of the duchy after the death of his uncle in 1642.
1. Duke James. Engraving by Mathias Czwiczek. 1648.
2. Letter from James, King of England, to Duke William. Westminster, 24 December 1610. LVVA, Collection 554, Inventory 1, File 88.
In reply to a letter from Duke William on 1 November, the King of England thanks him for the invitation to the christening of his son. The king explains that he cannot be present in person, and so has sent a representative.
3. James Stuart, King of England (15661625).
4. Instruction from Duke William to his councillor Heinrich Berg. Goldingen/ Kuldīga, 2 November 1610. LVVA, Collection 554, Inventory 2, File 2907.
Berg was to invite Duke Frederick and Duchess Elisabeth Magdalena to be the godparents of William's son, born on 28 October, and to arrive for the christening on 16 December. The christening, in the church of Goldingen/Kuldīga Castle, was delayed by a week, because of the death of the child's mother, Duchess Sophie. When the castle fell to ruin, in the first third of the 18th century, the font was transferred to the Church of St Catherine, which gave rise to the story that James had been christened in the town church.
5. Letter from James to Duchess Elisabeth Magdalena, written in his own hand. No place, 2 August 1621. LVVA, Collection 554, Inventory 1, File 218.
This is the earliest known letter from Duke James. The ten-year-old prince expresses his gratitude to the duchess for her concern and wishes her the best of health.
6. Letter from Duke James to Elisabeth Magdalena. Paris, 12 June 1636. LVVA, Collection 554, Inventory 1, File 218.
In the autumn of 1634 James journeyed abroad. After several months in the Netherlands, he arrived in Paris in June 1635. James spent more than a year in France, but it is possible that during this time he also visited England or Spain. In this letter James tells the duchess of his intention to visit Italy in the autumn. James returned to Courland in spring 1637.
7. Duke Boguslaw (Bogislaw) of Stettin-Pomerania (15801637), a friend of Duke William and cousin of Duchess Elisabeth Magdalena.
8. Letter from Duke Boguslaw of Stettin-Pomerania to Duke Friedrich. Alt-Stettin, 30 August 1633. LVVA, Collection 554, Inventory 1, File 90.
In the summer of 1633 James visited his father in Pomerania and also met William's old friend who had given him refuge, Duke Boguslaw XIV. During this visit James received his father's permission to take part in the war fought by Poland-Lithuania against Russia. By joining the campaign in spring 1634 with 300 recruits, James was expressing his gratitude to the King of Poland for recognising his right to the throne. He did not actually take part in the fighting, since peace negotiations were already underway at that time.
9. Letter fro