Prince Christian Everhard of East Frisia (1 October 1665, Esens – 30 June 1708, Aurich) was a Prince of East Frisia from the House of Cirksena from the day he was born in 1665, but remained under guardianship until 1690.
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Early life
Born into the ruling family of East Frisia, Christian Everhard was born as the third child and only son of George Christian, Prince of East Frisia and his wife, Duchess Christine Charlotte of Württemberg.
Biography
Before taking office, Everhard spent much time abroad. Unlike some other members of the House of Cirksena, he had few disputes with the Estates of East Frisia. He took over the government in 1690 from his mother, who administered the country until then as his guardian and regent. He quickly settled some disputes with the Estates, consolidating the peace, and bringing him the nickname "the peaceable".
Everhard was considered prudent, tolerant and pious. Like his mother, he allowed the presence of the Reformed Church although he himself was Lutheran. He approved an inheritance treaty with the Guelph elector Ernest Augustus of Brunswick-Lüneburg. The treaty was subsequently rejected by the emperor, who instead accepted a claim by Brandenburg and ruled that if the House of Cirksena were to die out, Brandenburg would inherit East Frisia. Based on this ruling, Prussia occupied East Frisia when the Cirksena died out in 1744.