William VIII, Landgrave of Hesse-Kassel

Who was William VIII, Landgrave of Hesse-Kassel?

William VIII ruled Hesse-Kassel from 1730 until his death, first as regent and then as landgrave.

Born in Kassel, he was the seventh son of Charles I, Landgrave of Hesse-Kassel and Maria Amalia of Courland. After his elder brother Frederick became King of Sweden in 1720 and his father died in 1730, he became de facto ruler of Hesse-Kassel. He officially became landgrave after his brother's death on 25 March 1751.

Five years later, the Seven Years' War began and William joined with the Prussian and British forces. Hesse-Kassel became an important battlefield and was occupied by France on several occasions.

His second son and successor, Frederick, became a Catholic, which led to restrictions on Catholicism in the Calvinist landgraviate and the transfer of the Principality of Hanau to his Protestant son William.

During his reign, William started building the Wilhelmsthal Palace and collected paintings, including works by Rembrandt.

In 1717, William married Dorothea Wilhelmina, eldest daughter of Maurice William, Duke of Saxe-Zeitz.

They had three children: Charles; Frederick, his successor; and Maria Amalia. He died at Rinteln in 1760.