Joseph Wenzel I, Prince of Liechtenstein

✶August 9, 1696

†February 10, 1772

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About their life

Josef Wenzel I, often referred to as just Wenzel, was the Prince of Liechtenstein between 1712 and 1718, and 1748 and 1772, as well as regent of Liechtenstein between 1732 and 1745. He first succeeded his distant cousin Hans-Adam I, even though he was not next in line. The actual heir was his uncle Anton Florian, who was not very popular among the family. Therefore, Hans-Adam chose Josef Wenzel as his heir. He later decided to hand over the Principality in exchange for his getting the Dominion of Rumburk in 1718. Thirty years later he inherited Liechtenstein again after his nephew Prince Johann Nepomuk Karl died without male issue. As a military figure, Wenzel is known for his command of the Austrians at the Battle of Piacenza and also for the reorganization of the Austrian artillery with the new "Liechtenstein artillery system".

Austrian marshall (1696-1772)

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Biography from the article Joseph Wenzel I, Prince of Liechtenstein on the English Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.