Joseph Wenzel I, Prince of Liechtenstein

Who was Joseph Wenzel I, Prince of Liechtenstein?

Joseph Wenzel I was the Prince of Liechtenstein between 1712 and 1718, 1732 and 1745, and 1748 and 1772.

Born at Prague, Joseph Wenzel was the eldest son of Prince Philip Erasmus of Liechtenstein and Countess Christina Theresa von Löwenstein-Wertheim-Rochefort. He was a nephew of Anton Florian.

Joseph was primarily a general and was a very successful campaigner. In 1745, he was made Generalissimo in Italy and was victorious the following year at the Battle of Piacenza. In 1753 he was made General Chief Commander in Hungary. In one of the greatest achievements of his career, he reorganised the Habsburg artillery, partially financed out of his own pocket.

From 1735 to 1736, he was Imperial Envoy to Berlin and he was Ambassador to Paris between 1738 to 1741. In 1760, he escorted the future bride of Josef II to Vienna.

Joseph managed to rule Liechtenstein three times. Firstly, in his own right, from 1712–1718. The second time, he ruled as the guardian of Josef Johann Adam between 1732–1745 and the third time as representative of the House of Liechtenstein from 1748–1772.