Princess Elisabeth Sophie of Saxe-Altenburg
Encyclopedia
Elisabeth Sophie of Saxe-Altenburg (Halle
, 10 October 1619 – Gotha
, 20 December 1680), was a princess of Saxe-Altenburg
and, by marriage, duchess of Saxe-Gotha
.
She was the only daughter of Johann Philipp, Duke of Saxe-Altenburg and Elisabeth of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel
.
on 24 October 1636, Elizabeth Sophie married her kinsman Ernst I, Duke of Saxe-Gotha
. As a dowry, she received 20,000 guilders, who were pledged by the town of Roßla
. As Widow's seat, the bride obtained the towns of Kapellendorf
and Berka
, with the called Gartenhaus in Weimar
.
Because according to the succession laws of the House of Saxe-Altenburg (who excluded the women from inheritance), after her father's death two years later (1 April 1639), he was succeeded by his brother, Frederick Wilhelm II.
When her cousin, the duke Frederick Wilhelm III
died childless in 1672, Elisabeth Sophie became in the general heiress of all the branch of Saxe-Altenburg on the basis of her father's testament (as it was ultimately recognized in law that the Salic Law does not prevent an agnate from willing all his possessions to those other agnates of the house he desires to make his heirs, leaving other agnates without; and if those favored agnates also happened to be the testator's son-in-law and maternal grandsons, that's in no way prohibited).
Ernst I of Saxe-Gotha claimed the whole succession of Saxe-Altenburg, claimed both being the closest male relative and his wife's rights. However, the other branch of the family, the Dukes of Saxe-Weimar
didn't accept that will, opening a succession dispute.
Finally, Elisabeth Sophie and Ernst's sons received the lion's share of Saxe-Altenburg inheritance, but a portion (a quarter of the original duchy of Saxe-Altenburg) passed to the Saxe-Weimar branch. Hence, the Ernestine line of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg
was founded, which should exist until 1825.
When the Duke Ernst I died in 1675, his numerous sons divided the inheritance (five eighths of all Ernestine lands) into seven parts: Gotha-Altenburg
, Coburg
, Meiningen
, Römhild
, Eisenberg
, Hildburghausen
and Saalfeld
. Of them, Coburg, Römhild and Eisenberg did not survive over that one generation and were divided between the four remaining lines.
Of the four remaining duchies, only survived two branches until today: Meiningen and Saalfeld (which eventually became the house of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha). Through the Saalfeld branch, Elisabeth Sophie is a direct ancestress of the British Royal Family
.
After her husband's death, Elisabeth Sophie changed the towns originally given to her as Widow's seat in her marriage for the towns of Reinhardsbrunn
and Tenneberg. Under the name "the Chaste", she was a member of the Virtuous Society.
Their eldest son Frederick was the first to inherit this title. His granddaughter from this son, Anna Sophie of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg
, was a direct matrilineal ancestor of Nicholas II of Russia
. His younger son John was father to Franz Josias, Duke of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld
.
Halle, Saxony-Anhalt
Halle is the largest city in the German state of Saxony-Anhalt. It is also called Halle an der Saale in order to distinguish it from the town of Halle in North Rhine-Westphalia...
, 10 October 1619 – Gotha
Gotha (town)
Gotha is a town in Thuringia, within the central core of Germany. It is the capital of the district of Gotha.- History :The town has existed at least since the 8th century, when it was mentioned in a document signed by Charlemagne as Villa Gotaha . Its importance derives from having been chosen in...
, 20 December 1680), was a princess of Saxe-Altenburg
Saxe-Altenburg
Saxe-Altenburg was one of the Saxon duchies held by the Ernestine branch of the Wettin dynasty in present-day Thuringia.-History:The duchy originated from the medieval Burgraviate of Altenburg in the Imperial Pleissnerland , a possession of the Wettin Margraves of Meissen since 1243...
and, by marriage, duchess of Saxe-Gotha
Saxe-Gotha
Saxe-Gotha was one of the Saxon duchies held by the Ernestine of the Wettin dynasty in the former Landgraviate of Thuringia. The ducal residence was erected at Gotha....
.
She was the only daughter of Johann Philipp, Duke of Saxe-Altenburg and Elisabeth of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel
Elisabeth of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel
Elizabeth of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel was a princess of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel and by marriage Duchess of Saxe-Altenburg.- Life :...
.
Life
In AltenburgAltenburg
Altenburg is a town in the German federal state of Thuringia, 45 km south of Leipzig. It is the capital of the Altenburger Land district.-Geography:...
on 24 October 1636, Elizabeth Sophie married her kinsman Ernst I, Duke of Saxe-Gotha
Ernest I, Duke of Saxe-Gotha
-Family and children:In Altenburg on 24 October 1636, Ernst married his cousin Elisabeth Sophie of Saxe-Altenburg. As a result of this marriage Saxe-Gotha and Saxe-Altenburg were unified, when the last duke of the line died childless in 1672. Ernst and Elisabeth Sophie had eighteen children:#...
. As a dowry, she received 20,000 guilders, who were pledged by the town of Roßla
Roßla
Roßla or Rossla is a village and a former municipality in the Mansfeld-Südharz district, Saxony-Anhalt, Germany. Since 1 January 2010, it is part of the municipality Südharz. From 1706–1803, Roßla was the seat of Stolberg-Rossla....
. As Widow's seat, the bride obtained the towns of Kapellendorf
Kapellendorf
Kapellendorf is a municipality in the Weimarer Land district of Thuringia, Germany....
and Berka
Bad Berka
Bad Berka is a German city, situated in the south of Weimar region in the state of Thuringia. With its almost 8.000 inhabitants Bad Berka is the second biggest city in Weimarer Land district . The river flowing through the city, which is embedded in new red sandstone, is called Ilm.Bad Berka is a...
, with the called Gartenhaus in Weimar
Weimar
Weimar is a city in Germany famous for its cultural heritage. It is located in the federal state of Thuringia , north of the Thüringer Wald, east of Erfurt, and southwest of Halle and Leipzig. Its current population is approximately 65,000. The oldest record of the city dates from the year 899...
.
Because according to the succession laws of the House of Saxe-Altenburg (who excluded the women from inheritance), after her father's death two years later (1 April 1639), he was succeeded by his brother, Frederick Wilhelm II.
When her cousin, the duke Frederick Wilhelm III
Frederick Wilhelm III, Duke of Saxe-Altenburg
Frederick Wilhelm III, Duke of Saxe-Altenburg , was a duke of Saxe-Altenburg.He was the second son of Frederick Wilhelm II, Duke of Saxe-Altenburg and Magdalene Sybille of Saxony, his second wife....
died childless in 1672, Elisabeth Sophie became in the general heiress of all the branch of Saxe-Altenburg on the basis of her father's testament (as it was ultimately recognized in law that the Salic Law does not prevent an agnate from willing all his possessions to those other agnates of the house he desires to make his heirs, leaving other agnates without; and if those favored agnates also happened to be the testator's son-in-law and maternal grandsons, that's in no way prohibited).
Ernst I of Saxe-Gotha claimed the whole succession of Saxe-Altenburg, claimed both being the closest male relative and his wife's rights. However, the other branch of the family, the Dukes of Saxe-Weimar
Saxe-Weimar
Saxe-Weimar was one of the Saxon duchies held by the Ernestine branch of the Wettin dynasty in present-day Thuringia. The chief town and capital was Weimar.-Division of Leipzig:...
didn't accept that will, opening a succession dispute.
Finally, Elisabeth Sophie and Ernst's sons received the lion's share of Saxe-Altenburg inheritance, but a portion (a quarter of the original duchy of Saxe-Altenburg) passed to the Saxe-Weimar branch. Hence, the Ernestine line of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg
Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg
Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg was a duchy ruled by the Ernestine branch of the House of Wettin in today's Thuringia, Germany.It was nominally created in 1672 when Frederick William III, the last duke of Saxe-Altenburg, died and Ernest I, Duke of Saxe-Gotha , inherited the major part of his possessions...
was founded, which should exist until 1825.
When the Duke Ernst I died in 1675, his numerous sons divided the inheritance (five eighths of all Ernestine lands) into seven parts: Gotha-Altenburg
Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg
Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg was a duchy ruled by the Ernestine branch of the House of Wettin in today's Thuringia, Germany.It was nominally created in 1672 when Frederick William III, the last duke of Saxe-Altenburg, died and Ernest I, Duke of Saxe-Gotha , inherited the major part of his possessions...
, Coburg
Saxe-Coburg
Saxe-Coburg was a duchy held by the Ernestine branch of the Wettin dynasty in today's Bavaria, Germany.After the Division of Erfurt in 1572, Coburg was part of the Duchy of Saxe-Coburg-Eisenach, ruled by the Ernestine duke John Casimir jointly with his brother John Ernest. In 1596...
, Meiningen
Saxe-Meiningen
The Duchy of Saxe-Meiningen was one of the Saxon duchies held by the Ernestine line of the Wettin dynasty, located in the southwest of the present-day German state of Thuringia....
, Römhild
Saxe-Römhild
The Duchy of Saxe-Römhild was one of the Saxon Duchies held by the Ernestine line of the Wettin Dynasty. Established in 1680 for Heinrich, fourth son of Ernest I, Duke of Saxe-Gotha. The line became extinct after the childless death of the duke in 1710 and his lands were disputed between his brothers...
, Eisenberg
Saxe-Eisenberg
The Duchy of Saxe-Eisenberg was one of the Saxon Duchies held by the Ernestine line of the Wettin Dynasty. Established in 1680 for Christian, fifth son of Ernest I, Duke of Saxe-Gotha, the Duchy consisted Eisenberg and the towns of Ronneburg, Roda and Camburg...
, Hildburghausen
Saxe-Hildburghausen
Saxe-Hildburghausen was an Ernestine duchy in what is now southern Thuringia, Germany. Its territory was similar to that of the modern Hildburghausen district.-History:...
and Saalfeld
Saxe-Saalfeld
The Duchy of Saxe-Saalfeld was one of the Saxon Duchies held by the Ernestine line of the Wettin Dynasty. Established in 1680 for Johann Ernst, seventh son of Ernest I, Duke of Saxe-Gotha. It remained under this name until 1699, when Albert, Duke of Saxe-Coburg died without sons...
. Of them, Coburg, Römhild and Eisenberg did not survive over that one generation and were divided between the four remaining lines.
Of the four remaining duchies, only survived two branches until today: Meiningen and Saalfeld (which eventually became the house of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha). Through the Saalfeld branch, Elisabeth Sophie is a direct ancestress of the British Royal Family
British Royal Family
The British Royal Family is the group of close relatives of the monarch of the United Kingdom. The term is also commonly applied to the same group of people as the relations of the monarch in her or his role as sovereign of any of the other Commonwealth realms, thus sometimes at variance with...
.
After her husband's death, Elisabeth Sophie changed the towns originally given to her as Widow's seat in her marriage for the towns of Reinhardsbrunn
Reinhardsbrunn
Reinhardsbrunn in Friedrichroda near Gotha, in Thuringia in Germany, is the site of a formerly prominent Benedictine abbey extant between 1085 and 1525, and, from 1827, of a royal castle and park of the Saxe-Coburg-Gotha family.-Monastery:...
and Tenneberg. Under the name "the Chaste", she was a member of the Virtuous Society.
Issue
Ernst and Elisabeth Sophie had eighteen children:- Johann Ernst (b. Weimar, 18 September 1638 - d. Weimar, 27 November 1638).
- Elisabeth DorotheaElisabeth Dorothea of Saxe-Gotha-AltenburgElisabeth Dorothea of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg , was a German princess member of the House of Wettin in the Ernestine branch of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg, by marriage Landgravine of Hesse-Darmstadt and Landgravine-Regent during 1678–1688.She was the second child and eldest daughter of Ernest I, Duke...
(b. Coburg, 8 January 1640 - d. Butzbach, 24 August 1709), married on 5 December 1666 to Louis VI, Landgrave of Hesse-DarmstadtLouis VI, Landgrave of Hesse-DarmstadtLouis VI of Hesse-Darmstadt was Landgrave of Hesse-Darmstadt from 1661 to 1678.He was the eldest of three sons of the Landgrave George II of Hesse-Darmstadt and Sophia Eleonore of Saxony.- Marriage and children :...
. - Johann Ernst (b. Gotha, 16 May 1641 - d. of smallpox, Gotha, 31 December 1657).
- Christian (b. and d. Gotha, 23 February 1642).
- Sophie (b. Gotha, 21 February 1643 - d. of smallpox, Gotha, 14 December 1657).
- Johanna (b. Gotha, 14 February 1645 - d. [of smallpox?] Gotha, 7 December 1657).
- Frederick I, Duke of Saxe-Gotha-AltenburgFrederick I, Duke of Saxe-Gotha-AltenburgFrederick I, Duke of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg , was a duke of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg. He was the fourth but eldest surviving son of Ernst I, Duke of Saxe-Coburg-Altenburg and Elisabeth Sophie of Saxe-Altenburg.When Ernst inherited the duchy of Saxe-Altenburg , he made Frederick the regent of that duchy...
(b. Gotha, 15 July 1646 - d. Friedrichswerth, 2 August 1691). - Albrecht, Duke of Saxe-CoburgAlbrecht, Duke of Saxe-CoburgAlbert V , was a duke of Saxe-Coburg.He was the fifth but second surviving son of Ernst I, Duke of Saxe-Coburg-Altenburg, and Elisabeth Sophie of Saxe-Altenburg. He was born in Gotha....
(b. Gotha, 24 May 1648 - d. Coburg, 6 August 1699). - Bernhard I, Duke of Saxe-MeiningenBernhard I, Duke of Saxe-MeiningenBernhard I, Duke of Saxe-Meiningen was a duke of Saxe-Meiningen.He was the sixth but third surviving son of Ernst I, Duke of Saxe-Coburg-Altenburg and Elisabeth Sophie of Saxe-Altenburg....
(b. Gotha, 10 September 1649 - d. Meiningen, 27 April 1706). - Heinrich, Duke of Saxe-RömhildHeinrich, Duke of Saxe-RömhildHenry of Saxe-Römhild was a duke of Saxe-Römhild.- Life :He was born in Gotha, as the seventh but fourth surviving son of Ernest I the Pious of Saxe-Gotha and Elisabeth Sophie of Saxe-Altenburg. After the death of their father, in 1675, Henry and his brothers co-ruled the duchy of...
(b. Gotha, 19 November 1650 - d. Römhild, 13 May 1710). - Christian, Duke of Saxe-EisenbergChristian, Duke of Saxe-EisenbergChristian of Saxe-Eisenberg was a duke of Saxe-Eisenberg.He was the eighth but fifth surviving son of Ernst I, Duke of Saxe-Coburg-Altenburg and Elisabeth Sophie of Saxe-Altenburg....
(b. Gotha, 6 January 1653 - d. Eisenberg, 28 April 1707). - Dorothea MariaDorothea Maria of Saxe-Gotha-AltenburgDorothea Maria of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg , was a German princess member of the House of Wettin in the Ernestine branch of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg....
(b. Gotha, 12 February 1654 - d. Gotha, 17 June 1682). - Ernest III, Duke of Saxe-Hildburghausen (b. Gotha, 12 June 1655 - d. Hildburghausen, 17 October 1715).
- Johann Philip (b. Gotha, 1 March 1657 - d. Gotha, 19 May 1657).
- Johann Ernst, Duke of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld (b. Gotha, 22 August 1658 - d. Saalfeld, 17 February 1729).
- Johanna Elisabeth (b. Gotha, 2 September 1660 - d. Gotha, 18 December 1660).
- Johann Philip (b. Gotha, 16 November 1661 - d. Gotha, 13 March 1662).
- Sophie Elisabeth (b. Gotha, 19 May 1663 - d. Gotha, 23 May 1663).
Their eldest son Frederick was the first to inherit this title. His granddaughter from this son, Anna Sophie of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg
Anna Sophie of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg
Duchess Anna Sophie of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg was a princess of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg and Duchess in Saxony.-Ancestry:...
, was a direct matrilineal ancestor of Nicholas II of Russia
Nicholas II of Russia
Nicholas II was the last Emperor of Russia, Grand Prince of Finland, and titular King of Poland. His official short title was Nicholas II, Emperor and Autocrat of All the Russias and he is known as Saint Nicholas the Passion-Bearer by the Russian Orthodox Church.Nicholas II ruled from 1894 until...
. His younger son John was father to Franz Josias, Duke of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld
Franz Josias, Duke of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld
Franz Josias, Duke of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld was a duke of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld.He was the fourth living son of John Ernest IV, Duke of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld, the third born by his father's second wife Charlotte Johanne of Waldeck-Pyrmont.During his youth, Francis Josias served in the Imperial...
.