Elisabeth Christine of Brunswick-Lüneburg
Encyclopedia
Elisabeth Christine of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel (Elisabeth Christine Ulrike; 8 November 1746 – 18 February 1840), was the first wife of Prince Frederick William, her cousin and the future king Frederick William II of Prussia
.
and Princess Philippine Charlotte of Prussia
, the sister of Frederick the Great. She held the rank of Duchess in Brunswick with the styles of Her Serene Highness Princess Elisabeth Christine.
. On 14 July 1765, Elisabeth married Crown Prince Friedrich Wilhelm
, on the family country estate Schloss Salzdahlum
.
Soon it became clear the couple was not happy with each other. King Frederick had hoped that the marriage would lead to the production of an heir, but instead noticed that Frederick William neglected his wife and was unfaithful to her on a daily basis. When their first child proved to be a girl, their relationship deteriorated. Wounded by her husband's neglect and infidelity, Elisabeth Christine began to have affairs with musicians and officers in Potsdam
, which led to a scandal in 1769 when she became pregnant. Planning to escape with her lover, she was betrayed and the marriage was dissolved within a few days. Elisabeth Christine's brothers forced her to leave. The Crown Princess, who was allowed to keep her title, headed for Küstrin
. The king forced his nephew to remarry within a few months.
In the mean time Elisabeth Christine was put under house arrest (as a prisoner of state) in the castle of Stettin, under the supervision of a relative. Eventually Frederick improved her living conditions. From 1774 on, her summer residence was in a medieval cloister in Jasenitz
(Jasienica), now a district of Police
in Pomerania
. After the death of Frederick the Great in 1786, she was treated less strictly. When the French army occupied the city in 1810, Elisabeth moved to a small country estate outside the city walls, which she called Friedrichsgnade (Frederick's mercy).
Elisabeth Christine died at the age of 93, having outlived all her brothers and sisters. She had herself a mausoleum built in the park because she did not want to be buried with her relatives. It is possible that she was reburied in the cathedral of Kraków
.
Frederick William II of Prussia
Frederick William II was the King of Prussia, reigning from 1786 until his death. He was in personal union the Prince-Elector of Brandenburg and the sovereign prince of the Principality of Neuchâtel.-Early life:...
.
Princess of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel
Elisabeth Christine was born the seventh child and third daughter of Charles I, Duke of Brunswick-LüneburgCharles I, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg
Charles , Duke of Brunswick-Lunenburg , was ruling as Prince of Wolfenbüttel from 1735 until his death.-Life:...
and Princess Philippine Charlotte of Prussia
Princess Philippine Charlotte of Prussia
Princess Philippine Charlotte of Prussia was a daughter of Frederick William I of Prussia and Sophia Dorothea of Hanover.-Family:...
, the sister of Frederick the Great. She held the rank of Duchess in Brunswick with the styles of Her Serene Highness Princess Elisabeth Christine.
Crown Princess of Prussia
She was selected by her uncle, the childless king, as a suitable bride for the heir of the throne of PrussiaPrussia
Prussia was a German kingdom and historic state originating out of the Duchy of Prussia and the Margraviate of Brandenburg. For centuries, the House of Hohenzollern ruled Prussia, successfully expanding its size by way of an unusually well-organized and effective army. Prussia shaped the history...
. On 14 July 1765, Elisabeth married Crown Prince Friedrich Wilhelm
Frederick William II of Prussia
Frederick William II was the King of Prussia, reigning from 1786 until his death. He was in personal union the Prince-Elector of Brandenburg and the sovereign prince of the Principality of Neuchâtel.-Early life:...
, on the family country estate Schloss Salzdahlum
Schloss Salzdahlum
Schloss Salzdahlum was a former summer palace built by Anthony Ulrich, Duke of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel in 1684.It was dismantled in 1813 but parts of it can still be seen in the town of Salzdahlum....
.
Soon it became clear the couple was not happy with each other. King Frederick had hoped that the marriage would lead to the production of an heir, but instead noticed that Frederick William neglected his wife and was unfaithful to her on a daily basis. When their first child proved to be a girl, their relationship deteriorated. Wounded by her husband's neglect and infidelity, Elisabeth Christine began to have affairs with musicians and officers in Potsdam
Potsdam
Potsdam is the capital city of the German federal state of Brandenburg and part of the Berlin/Brandenburg Metropolitan Region. It is situated on the River Havel, southwest of Berlin city centre....
, which led to a scandal in 1769 when she became pregnant. Planning to escape with her lover, she was betrayed and the marriage was dissolved within a few days. Elisabeth Christine's brothers forced her to leave. The Crown Princess, who was allowed to keep her title, headed for Küstrin
Küstrin
Before 1945 Küstrin was a town in the former Prussian province of Brandenburg in Germany, situated on both sides of the Oder river...
. The king forced his nephew to remarry within a few months.
In the mean time Elisabeth Christine was put under house arrest (as a prisoner of state) in the castle of Stettin, under the supervision of a relative. Eventually Frederick improved her living conditions. From 1774 on, her summer residence was in a medieval cloister in Jasenitz
Jasienica, Police
Jasienica is a district of Police, Poland, a town in the Pomerania Region. In the High and Late Middle Ages, the village was the site of Jasenitz Abbey, now in ruins.-Gunica River and a kayak-way:...
(Jasienica), now a district of Police
Police, Poland
Police is a town in the West Pomeranian Voivodeship, northwestern Poland. It is the capital of Police County. As of 2006, the town had 34,284 inhabitants. The name comes from Polish pole, which means "field"....
in Pomerania
Pomerania
Pomerania is a historical region on the south shore of the Baltic Sea. Divided between Germany and Poland, it stretches roughly from the Recknitz River near Stralsund in the West, via the Oder River delta near Szczecin, to the mouth of the Vistula River near Gdańsk in the East...
. After the death of Frederick the Great in 1786, she was treated less strictly. When the French army occupied the city in 1810, Elisabeth moved to a small country estate outside the city walls, which she called Friedrichsgnade (Frederick's mercy).
Elisabeth Christine died at the age of 93, having outlived all her brothers and sisters. She had herself a mausoleum built in the park because she did not want to be buried with her relatives. It is possible that she was reburied in the cathedral of Kraków
Kraków
Kraków also Krakow, or Cracow , is the second largest and one of the oldest cities in Poland. Situated on the Vistula River in the Lesser Poland region, the city dates back to the 7th century. Kraków has traditionally been one of the leading centres of Polish academic, cultural, and artistic life...
.
Titles and styles
- 8 November 1746 – 14 July 1765 Her Serene Highness Princess Elisabeth Christine of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel, Duchess of Brunswick-Lüneburg
- 14 July 1765 - 18 February 1840 Her Royal Highness The Crown Princess of Prussia
Ancestry
Issue
- Princess Frederica of Prussia (7 May 1767 – 6 August 1820) married Prince Frederick, Duke of York and AlbanyPrince Frederick, Duke of York and AlbanyThe Prince Frederick, Duke of York and Albany was a member of the Hanoverian and British Royal Family, the second eldest child, and second son, of King George III...
but remained childless.