Joseph Wenzel I, Prince of Liechtenstein

Joseph Wenzel I
Duke of Troppau and Jägerndorf
1740 portrait by Hyacinthe Rigaud
Prince of Liechtenstein
Reign	16 June 1712 – 12 March 1718
Predecessor	Hans-Adam I
Successor	Anton Florian
Reign	22 December 1748 – 10 February 1772
Predecessor	Johann Nepomuk Karl
Successor	Franz Josef I
Born	(1696-08-09)9 August 1696 Prague, Kingdom of Bohemia
Died	10 February 1772(1772-02-10) (aged 75) Vienna, Archduchy of Austria
Burial	Church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary, Brno
Spouse	Princess Anna Maria Antonie of Liechtenstein
Names Josef Wenzel Lorenz[1]
House	Liechtenstein
Father	Prince Philipp Erasmus of Liechtenstein
Mother	Christina Theresa von Löwenstein-Wertheim-Rochefort
Religion	Catholic

Josef Wenzel I (Josef Wenzel Lorenz; 9 August 1696 – 10 February 1772), often referred to as just Wenzel, was the Prince of Liechtenstein between 1712 and 1718, and 1748 and 1772, as well as regent of Liechtenstein between 1732 and 1745. He first succeeded his distant cousin Hans-Adam I, even though he was not next in line. The actual heir was his uncle Anton Florian, who was not very popular among the family. Therefore Hans-Adam chose Josef Wenzel as his heir.^[2] He later decided to hand over the Principality in exchange for his getting the Dominion of Rumburk in 1718. Thirty years later he inherited Liechtenstein again after his nephew Prince Johann Nepomuk Karl died without male issue.^[3] As a military figure, Wenzel is known for his command of the Austrians at the Battle of Piacenza (War of the Austrian Succession).