Louis William Geldricus Ernest of Bentheim and Steinfurt (1 October 1756 at Steinfurt Castle – 20 August 1817) was a ruling count and by birth member of the House of Bentheim-Steinfurt.
Early life.
He was born as the second son of Count Charles Paul Ernest, Count of Bentheim-Steinfurt and his wife, Princess Sophie Charlotte of Nassau-Siegen (1729-1759), the eldest daughter of Frederick William II, Prince of Nassau-Siegen.
Reign.
As his brother Charles (13 February 1753 – 5 September 1772) died before their father, Louis succeeded in 1780 as reigning Count of Steinfurt. He was an Imperial Count and was raised to the rank of Prince on 21 January 1817 by King Frederick William III.
Marriage and issue.
On 17 July 1776, he married Princess Juliane Wilhelmine of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Glücksburg (30 April 1754 – 14 September 1823), with whom he had the following eight children:
References.
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