The End of the Dynasty

After the death of Johann Seyfried in 1713, the presence of male descendents meant that the continuation of the Eggenberg dynasty still seemed secure. However, in 1716, Johann Seyfried’s only son, Johann Anton II, died suddenly, aged just 47. Just one year later, Johann Anton II’s only son, the last Prince of Eggenberg, Johann Christian II, died from appendicitis at the age of only 13. With his death, the male line of the Eggenberg family had come to an end in 1717. And this resulted in the start of the break-up of the wide-spread Eggenberg estates and territories with both sisters of the last prince, Maria Eleonora and Maria Theresia, quickly agreeing upon how to best separate the remaining estate.