Alexander von Hanstein, Count of Pölzig and Beiersdorf
| Alexander von Hanstein | |
|---|---|
| Born | 9 June 1804 |
| Died | 18 April 1884 (aged 79) |
| Spouse |
Princess Louise of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg (m.1826 wil.1831) Marie Therese von Carlowitz (m.1833) |
| Issue | Maximilan von Hanstein Clara von Hanstein Thekla von Hanstein |
| Father | Friedrich von Hanstein |
| Mother | Anna Maria von Hanstein |
Maximilian Elisäus Alexander von Hanstein, Count of Pölzig and Beiersdorf (9 June 1804, Burghaig, Kulmbach – 18 April 1884, Schmölln) was a Thuringian count. He was the stepfather of Prince Albert and grandfather of Hans Poelzig.
Alexander von Hanstein came from the Thüringer noble family of Hanstein Castle and was the son of Baron Friedrich von Hanstein and his wife Anna Maria.
In 1824, Alexander was equerry (Stallmeister) for Ernest III, Duke of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld. The duke's marriage was rocky. His wife, Princess Louise of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg had an affair with von Hanstein, and Louise was exiled from the dukedom in autumn 1824. She was assigned a residence in the Principality of Lichtenberg, now in Saarland, and Alexander followed her there.
On the death of Frederick IV, Duke of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg on 11 February 1825, Louise became sole heiress of the house of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg. In the subsequent discussions over the inheritance, a separation agreement was hammered out and the Saxon duchies were re-organised. Ernest separated from Louise on 31 March 1826, and in the same year exchanged Saalfeld for Gotha.
Now free, Louise planned to marry von Hanstein, and in preparation for such a marriage Alexander was created count of Pölzig and Beiersdorf on 19 July 1826 by Frederick, Duke of Saxe-Altenburg. On 18 October 1826, Alexander and Louise married at St. Wendel, the capital of the small principality of Lichtenberg. They resided in the castle there and spent some happy years but the marriage remained childless and Louise was prohibited by her first husband from contacting her children in Coburg.
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