Ulrich of Württemberg had an unhappy childhood. His mother died after his birth, and his mentally ill father was imprisoned at Hohenurach in 1490. His guardians, who pursued different political interests, were careless with the boy's upbringing and education. As an adult Ulrich was distinguished by his lack of consideration for and mistrust of the people around him. His private and political life was a turbulent one. For example, he lost his Duchy for many years when the Swabian Confederation (Schwäbische Bund) relinquished it to Karl V. The only refuge left to Ulrich was Mömpelgard and Hohentwiel, to which he withdrew and brought into his possession once and for all. With the introduction of the Reformation, Ulrich established decisive criteria for education and training. Duke Ulrich of Württemberg died in 1550 and lies buried in the Collegiate Church (Stiftskirche) in Tübingen. He lived at times in the Old Palace in Stuttgart and made his court there into one of the most magnificent of its age.
Duke Christoph's mother, Sabina of Bavaria, fled from her husband, Duke Ulrich, and from an untenable marriage. The son she left behind, who treated his father with great mistrust his entire life, was raised in Innsbruck at the court of Ferdinand I. He was involved in dynastic conflicts for many years. Duke Christoph imposed the Lutheran orientation of the Württemberg church once and for all, established thirteen monastery schools for training theologians and assumed the role of the political leader of German Protestantism. His court in the Old Palace was that of a Renaissance sovereign, who placed great value on courtly representation and self-portrayal. Duke Christoph's achievements in government laid the basis for Württemberg's body politic for over two hundred years.
Duke Friedrich enjoyed a choice, comprehensive education, learned Latin and French and visited numerous countries. He is considered the State's first power politician, as a representative of early absolutism. At first he ruled the Mömpelgard possessions on the western side of the Rhine, and his rein met with mistrust by the Diet in Württemberg. Friedrich's efforts to also increase his income with the mercantile development of the state strengthened this characteristic. He took extensive armament and fortification measures due to increasing political and confessional tensions. The architect Heinrich Schickhardt shaped many plans, places and buildings under his rule. In addition to architecture, the Duke, who's seat of government was in the Old Palace, also promoted education and alchemy, established a "Kunstkammer" (a collection of art, treasures and natural oddities from around the world) and is considered an extremely distinguished personage.
The daughter of Elector Joachim Friedrich of Brandenburg married the Duke of Württemberg Johann Friedrich in 1609. The couple had nine children and apparently lead a happy marriage. On 28 July 1628 Barbara Sophie moved to the widow's seat in Kirchheim following the death of Johann Friedrich, and in 1632 from there back to Stuttgart. She was the "Chief Guardian" (Obervormünderin) of her fourteen year old son and was also politically active in this context. The daughter-in-law of Friedrich I died in 1636 in Strasbourg and is buried in the Collegiate Church (Stiftskirche) in Stuttgart.
Maria Dorothea from the Oettingen dynasty married Duke Eberhard III in 1656. She spent her first years as a widow in Kirchheim from 1675. Following the town fire in 1690, she moved to Nürtingen. She supported the rebuilding of Kirchheim beginning in 1694. Maria Dorothea probably ordered the remodeling of the Main Hall (Dürnitz) to the Chapel (Kapelle). The Duchess was intent on representation, was not considered very thrifty and nevertheless did a great deal for charity. She is buried in the Collegiate Church in Stuttgart.
The daughter of the Landgrave Ludwig VI of Hesse-Darmstadt and Maria Elisabeth of Holstein-Gottorp grew up following the death of her mother with her aunt Queen Hedwig Eleonore of Sweden in Stockholm. In 1674 Magdalena Sibylla married Duke Wilhelm Ludwig of Württemberg and with that became the daughter-in-law of Maria Dorothea.
She enjoyed great respect due to her repeated courageous appearances against a destruction of the Duchy's capital Stuttgart in the late 17th century and her resourcefulness during the fire in Kirchheim in 1690. She is responsible for the expensive appointments of the Chapel at Kirchheim Palace, where she lived from 1694.
The Princess of Baden-Durlach, daughter of Margrave Friedrich Magnus of Baden-Durlach, married Eberhard Ludwig in 1697. After the Duke left her, she lived alone in the Old Palace in Stuttgart. Her only son, Friedrich Ludwig, died in 1731 at the age of 33. As a widow Johanna Elisabetha moved into Kirchheim Palace in 1735, which was furnished in accordance with the age for her. She is buried in the Palace Church (Schlosskirche) in Ludwigsburg.
Franziska of Hohenheim was actually descended from lesser nobility, and was rather unhappily married to a "Herr von Leutrum, chamberlain to the Württemberg Duke. In the beginning the Duke drew the couple to the court with invitations, and later he only invited Franziska. In 1772 the Leutrums were divorced and she became the Duke's official mistress. This devout, charitable woman enjoys a saintly reputation in Württemberg. She is said to have converted the wild, unpredictable and extravagant Duke to a considerate sovereign.
Carl Eugen had Hohenheim Palace expanded from a rural estate as a representative country residence for himself and Franziska of Leutrum, from 1774 Duchess of the German Reich and later his wife. From 1795 Franziska lived at Kirchheim Palace and had it thoroughly remodeled. She led an active, social life there and is considered the most famous and popular resident. Franziska of Hohenheim is buried in Church of St. Martin (Martinskirche) in Kirchheim.
Henriette, daughter of Prince Karl of Nassau-Weilburg and Karoline, Princess of Orange, married Duke Ludwig of Württemberg in 1797. Her smart marriage policy made her the "Grandmother of Europe". The Christian-raised Duchess lived her faith with great devotion. She was modest and promoted and founded many social institutions. From 1817 Henriette lived in Kirchheim, where she was highly revered. She is buried in the Collegiate Church in Stuttgart.