The End of Leiningen Rule

Fifty years after Simon aus Frankenstein became Friedrich Carl Christlieb, the Palatine was destroyed by the troops of the French Revolution. The castle at Heidesheim and the palace at Dürkheim were destroyed by fire in 1793 and 1794, respectively. The Electors and Counts, who wielded power in earlier generations, were reduced to mere figureheads. The cloister and chapel at Amorbach were given to Friedrich Magnus’ son, Karl Friedrich zu Leiningen in 1803, as compensation for the severe losses suffered as a result of the war. Generations later, in order to preserve history, the Leiningen Archive at Amorbach was established. It was there that the information regarding the origin of Friedrich Carl Christlieb was found.

The destruction of the Palatinate occurred while Friedrich Carl and his family were safely in America. Had the family not immigrated some thirty years earlier, Friedrich Carl and Anna Catharina’s sons would probably have been conscripted into the Army. They and the whole family could very well have been victims of that war, and the American Christlieb family would never have come into being.

Two 18^th-century views of Dürkheim. Dated 1787, the above panoramic drawing shows the capital as it appeared twenty-two years after the Christlieb family departed for America. The Schlosskirche is at the right of center; the Leiningen Palace that was destroyed in 1794, is shown on the right. Shown below is a closer view of the Schlosskirche, the site of Friedrich Carl's baptism, conversion, and marriage.

The relief sculpture below is of Friedrich Magnus zu Leiningen as it appears on his hunting lodge near Amorbach in Bavaria. The portrait at the right is that of Friedrich Magnus’ son, Karl Friedrich zu Leiningen.

The Leiningen Palace at Dürkheim.