1608 - 1627

Karl (born 1569, died 1627) is the founder of the House of Liechtenstein. He was raised as a Protestant and enjoyed the best possible education in the School of the Bohemian Brothers. In 1599, he converted to Catholicism. Shortly thereafter, Emperor Rudolf II appointed Karl of Liechtenstein as Chief Chamberlain, the highest office of court, which included the chairmanship of the Privy Council. He held this office with interruptions until 1607. He received the Great Palatinate in the same year. In the dispute between the Habsburg brothers, he aligned himself with the party of Archduke Matthias, who elevated him to the hereditary rank of Prince in 1608. After a temporary retreat from the political sphere, he assumed the government of the newly acquired Silesian Duchy of Troppau in 1614.

During the Bohemian rebellion, the Prince took the side of Emperor Ferdinand II and was given the task of arresting and executing the rebels after the Battle of Weissen Berg. In 1622, the Emperor appointed Karl of Liechtenstein as ordinary governor and vice-regent of Bohemia, and he was bestowed with the Order of the Golden Fleece. In the same year, he was enfeoffed with the Silesian Duchy of Jägerndorf, which in conjunction with Troppau formed the equivalent in property to the rank of Prince. Through the acquisition of confiscated "rebel properties", the real estate of the House of Liechtenstein was substantially increased.

After Karl's death (1627), the provisions stipulated by the hereditary accord of 1606 with his brothers regarding the family estate and succession came into effect for the first time.