John Adolphus of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Plön | |
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Portrait by Johann Valentin Tischbein
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Spouse(s) | Dorothea of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel |
Noble family | House of Oldenburg |
Father | Joachim Ernest, Duke of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Plön |
Mother | Dorothea Augusta of Schleswig-Holstein-Gottorp |
Born |
Ahrensbök |
8 April 1634
Died | 2 July 1704 Ruhleben |
(aged 70)
John Adolphus of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Plön (German: Johann Adolf or Hans Adolf; 8 April 1634, Ahrensbök – 2 July 1704 Ruhleben) was the second Duke of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Plön, which had been created by a division of the Duchy of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg.
He was born on 8 April 1634 in Ahrensbök, the eldest son of the first Duke of Plön, Joachim Ernest and Dorothea Augusta of Schleswig-Holstein-Gottorp.
From 1645 to 1650 he went on a grand tour around the countries of Europe, including England and France. He was accompanied by his brother, Augustus, who was one year younger. In 1671 he inherited the dukedom from his father. On 25 October 1671 he was bestowed with the Order of the Elephant, the highest Danish order of knighthood, becoming the 124th member of the order.
In 1684 he had the first hunting lodge built in Traventhal; this was followed in 1685 by St. John's Church, Plön and in 1690 the parish church of Plön. John Adolphus took part in several of the major wars of his time, including the Ottoman wars and handed over the running of his duchy during those times largely to his mother and his wife. During his reign the Treaty of Traventhal was signed at the ducal hunting lodge in Traventhal, a milestone during the Great Northern War.