fme_852397 - LORRAINE - CHARLES ALEXANDRE DE LORRAINE Médaille, Mariage de Charles-Alexandre de Lorraine avec Marie-Anne d’Autriche

LORRAINE - CHARLES ALEXANDER OF LORRAINE

(1712-1780)

Charles was the fourth son of Léopold de Lorraine and Charlotte d'Orléans. Brother of Francis I of Austria, he was governor of the Austrian Netherlands until his death. This medal commemorates his enthronement as Grand Master of the Catholic Teutonic Order on May 4, 1761. The Order was founded in 1190, during the Third Crusade at the instigation of Frederick Barbarossa. After Tannenberg (1466) and the loss of Prussia (1525), the Order is mainly honorary. Charles nevertheless takes the opportunity to recall his affiliation with Godefroy de Bouillon who was Duke of Lower Lorraine before leaving for the crusade. On the other hand, Godfrey was never king, but only confessed to the Holy Sepulcher (1099-1100). Charles of Lorraine can on the other hand claim this crown as a descendant of the Dukes of Lorraine by the family of Anjou.