Christian, Count of Waldeck


Christian, Count of Waldeck, was Count of Waldeck-Wildungen and also imperial chamberlain.

Life

Christian was the son of Count Josias I of Waldeck-Eisenberg and his wife Marie of Barby. He was guardian for his nephew Simon Louis and later for his nephew's son Simon Philip in the County of Lippe.
Christian died in 1637 and was succeeded as Count of Waldeck-Wildungen by his son Philip VII. His younger son John became Count of Waldeck-Landau as John II.

Witch Trials

Christian I, Count of Waldeck was responsible for the particularly violent series of witch trials in Wildungen, which began in 1629. Until 1632, the trials cost the lives of 29 victims, including Elisabeth Kotzenberg, the wife of Günther Samuel, who was Christian's secretary. She was tortured and died at City Hall on 3 July 1630.

Marriage and issue

On 18 November 1604, he married Countess Elisabeth, daughter of Count John VII of Nassau and his wife Magdalena of Waldeck-Wildungen. Christian and Elisabeth had 16 children: