Background
He was the fourth child of the reigning prince George Albert and ss Christine Louise, née ss of Nassau-Idstein and was born at the castle in Aurich. Charles Edzard received a harsh, authoritarian education from his father George Albert, in an atmosphere of bigotry and ascetic piety, which did not leave the child any freedom or opportunities for self-development.
Career
He ruled from 12 June 1734 until his death. He was meticulously planning the daily schedule. Every week, every day, every hour has been prescribed by a precise timetable to be followed to the prince.
Even the recovery phase, the hours to ride and to walk were scheduled exactly.
Charles Edzard was taught Roman law, medieval history and French. He never received a military training, even though he was appointed colonel and chief of the small princely militia by his father at the age of 10.
Due to his father"s early death, no time remained for studying. His travels were limited on the court in Aurich, the hunting lodge in Sandhorst and the princely Berum Castle.
He never even visited Emden, the largest city of his territory, though he once looked at it from a distance.
The Charles Edzards"s father had been ill for a long period. He had a stroke before Charles Edzards"s 18th birthday. A wedding was hastily arranged for the man who was never allowed to decide anything in his life.
This time it was probably his step-mother who decided for him.
Three weeks later, on 12 June 1734, the father died, and Charles Edzard was ruler of East Frisia, without being really prepared for this task. After years of conflicts of recent years between the ly House and the Estates, the had hardly any prestige left.
The city of Emden and other rebellious Estates refused to pay him homage. Whether Charles Edzard contributed at all to the administration of his country, is at least doubtful.
lieutenant is likely that "his" decisions were in fact made by other people.
He was the last sovereign of East Frisia. The circumstances of his death, whether natural or not, can no longer be ascertained. Without doubt, Charles Edzard was one of the unhappiest people in the East Frisian history.
East Frisia now fell to Prussia.
Following the Emden Convention already concluded on March 14, 1744 between the city of Emden and Frederick II of Prussia, the latter was allowed to march without resistance into East Frisia.