Frederick Louis, Duke of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Beck (German: Friedrich Ludwig Herzog von Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Beck; 6 April 1653 – 7 March 1728) was a Duke of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Beck and field marshal of the Prussian Army.
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Early life
Frederick Louis was born in Haus Beck (now part of Löhne), near Ulenburg, Westphalia, Margraviate of Brandenburg, as the son of August Philipp, Duke of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Beck and his wife, Countess Marie Sibylle of Nassau-Saarbrücken.
Biography
He was only the titular duke, because he did not inherit the domain of Beck. It had been inherited by Duke Frederick William I, the son of his elder brother, Duke August, in 1689. Duke Frederick William I was killed in the Battle of Francavilla in Sicily in 1719, leaving a widow, née Maria Antonia called Antoinette Josepha Isnardi di Castello, Contessa di Sanfré (1692–1762), and two minor daughters. Maria Antonia shared administration of Beck with her mother-in-law, Duchess Hedwig Louisa of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Beck (née Countess of Lippe-Bückeburg-Schaumburg).
In 1671 Frederick Louis became a cornet in the cavalry regiment von Eller in the army of Brandenburg-Prussia. In 1675 he participated in the Battle of Fehrbellin as a Rittmeister. The following year he was a colonel in the Holstein dragoons. Frederick Louis was named lieutenant general and Governor of Wesel in 1690. Three years later he was appointed commanding general of the Duchy of Prussia.