Joseph Ferdinand of Bavaria was born in Vienna on 28 October 1692. At the time of his birth, although the first-born son and heir, he was just another royal baby with no particular significance beyond his father’s realm. Maximilian II Emanuel, Elector of Bavaria, did not concern himself much with either his wife or the newborn, living far away in Brussels. Even the loss of the young mother, Maria Antonia — the daughter of Emperor Leopold I — less than two months after the difficult childbirth did not greatly affect the widower or the orphan.
The infant, hereditary prince of Bavaria, was raised in Munich and treated with utmost respect. After all, in his father’s absence, he was the highest-ranking person at the Munich court. Sadly, the delicate boy required special care, often suffering from various health troubles.
Joseph Ferdinand’s childhood — frail but otherwise ordinary for a noble toddler — changed dramatically in the autumn of 1698 due to a royal will issued a thousand miles away in Spain. Virtually overnight, the Bavarian child drew the attention of Europe’s great powers. The indifferent but ambitious Elector suddenly saw his young son as the pawn who could make the House of Bavaria ruler of half the world. The fervent preparations for that magnificent future began at once.
Curiously, the only one not involved in the pompous plans was the fragile child. In January 1699, he fell ill with fever, vomiting, and cramps. After several weeks of suffering, he died at the age of six. Two years later, most of Europe was engulfed in war.
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