Ernst II Leopold, Landgrave of Hesse-Rotenburg

Ernst II Leopold (15 June 1684 – 29 November 1749) was Landgrave of Hesse-Rotenburg from 1725 until his death.

Early life
Born in Langenschwalbach, into the collateral branch of the House of Hesse, he was a son of Landgrave William, Landgrave of Hesse-Rotenburg and his wife, Countess Maria Anna of Löwenstein-Wertheim-Rochefort (1652–1688).

Marriage and issue
He married his first cousin, Countess Eleonore of Löwenstein-Wertheim-Rochefort (1686–1753), in Frankfurt, on 9 November 1704. She was daughter of Maximilian Karl Albert, Prince of Löwenstein-Wertheim-Rochefort and his wife, Countess Maria Polyxena Khuen of Belasi and Lichtenberg (1658-1712). They had ten children:


 * 1) Joseph, Hereditary Prince of Hesse-Rotenburg (1705–1744); married Princess Christina of Salm had issue.
 * 2) Polyxena of Hesse-Rotenburg, Queen of Sardinia (1706–1735); married Charles Emmanuel III of Sardinia had issue.
 * 3) Landgravine Magdalene Leopoldina of Hesse-Rotenburg (1707–1708); died in infancy.
 * 4) Wilhelm of Hesse-Rotenburg (1708); died in infancy.
 * 5) Sophie of Hesse-Rotenburg (1709–1711); died in infancy.
 * 6) Franciscus Alexander of Hesse-Rotenburg (1710–1739); died unmarried.
 * 7) Eleonore Philippina of Hesse-Rotenburg (1712–1759); married John Christian, Count Palatine of Sulzbach, no issue.
 * 8) Landgravine Caroline of Hesse-Rotenburg (1714–1741); married Louis Henri, Duke of Bourbon, and had issue.
 * 9) Constantine, Landgrave of Hesse-Rotenburg (1716–1778); his successor.
 * 10) Landgravine Christine of Hesse-Rotenburg (1717–1778); married Louis Victor, Prince of Carignan, and had issue.

Through his eldest daughter, his present descendants include the claimant Duke of Parma; the pretending King of the Two Sicilies and the reigning Grand Duke of Luxembourg. His youngest daughter is also an ancestress of the above.

Death
He died on 29 November 1749 in Rotenburg an der Fulda.