Charles Theodore, Prince of SalmCharles Theodore Otto, Prince of Salm (German: Karl Theodor; 1645-1710), was Count of Salm-Salm since 1663 and Obersthofmeister at the Austrian Court. FamilyHe was the son of Leopold Philip Charles, Fürst (Prince) of Salm, and his wife, Maria Anna of Bronckhorst-Batenburg, a Dutch noblewoman from Gelderland. His paternal grandmother, Christina of Croÿ-Havré, was herself a granddaughter of Anna of Lorraine. His living descendants include Prince Pedro, Duke of Calabria, Bernhard, Margrave of Baden and the current Duke of Ursel. LifeHe studied in 1663 at the military academy in Paris and raised a regiment in 1667 and 1672. In 1685, Emperor Leopold I named him Oberhofmeister and in 1692 he became Konferenzrat. He gained great influence at the Austrian court and encouraged several reforms. When Joseph I became Emperor in 1705, Carl Theodor Otto remained Obersthofmeister and First Geheime Rat, which gave him powers equal to that of a Prime Minister. But he was more and more opposed by the successful and influential Field Marshal Prince Eugene of Savoy. After Carl Theodor Otto caused a painful conflict with Pope Clement XI in 1709 over the city of Comacchio, he was encouraged to retire from service due to health problems. He died one year later. SourcesInformation related to Charles Theodore, Prince of Salm |