Charlotte of Hesse-Kassel
Encyclopedia
Charlotte of Hesse-Kassel (Kassel
, 20 November, 1627 – Heidelberg
, 26 March, 1686) was the consort of Charles I Louis, Elector Palatine
and mother of Elizabeth Charlotte of the Palatinate
. Her living descendants include the royal houses in Europe such as the Spanish, Italian, Bulgarian, Austrian, Tuscan and Neapolitan Royal Families, descended from her through Louis Philippe of France, her daughter's great great great grandson.
and Amalie Elisabeth of Hanau-Münzenberg
. Her future marriage, between Charlotte and her cousin Charles I Louis, Elector Palatine, was regarded as highly advantageous. However, it was her own mother who tried to warn the Elector of Charlotte's foul temper.
She married at Heidelberg Castle
on February 22, 1650 Charles I Louis, Elector Palatine
and had three children, two of whom survived infancy.
At first all went well as Charles Louis became wildly infatuated with his wife and with gusto started his task of providing the Palatinate with an heir. After all, she was a tall blonde girl, with long legs and a beautiful bust, so that Charles Louis could hardly keep his hands off her. According to his sister Sophia
, 'his passion had impaired his intellect'.
If Charlotte so much as glanced at another man, Charles Louis was jealous. If she criticised him, he would go into a rage but their quarrels were made up at night with audible violence. In conversation Charlotte had only one topic, which was herself. She was a good horse-woman (as her daughter would also be), but Charles Louis objected to women on horseback; she loved gambling, which Charles Louis regarded as a waste of money.
To the joy of the Palatinate and Charles Louis, a son was born in 1651 and in 1652 a daughter. When Charles Louis went to the Elector
s' Diet in Prague
, he infuriated Charlotte by not taking her with him. At this time the sixteen year-old Marie Luise von Degenfeld
came to their court, where she was regarded as not very pretty and naive. Marie Luise, would later be Charles Louis' mistress and would bear him 13 children while he was still married to Charlotte, their first child being born in 1658.
After his return Charles Louis took his wife and his sisters, Princesses Elizabeth
and Sophia
, to the festivities accompanying the coronation of Archduke Charles as his father's successor. Charlotte was again furious as she was pregnant and unable to wear the French dresses especially bought for the occasion. However, the baby when born died a few hours later and Charlotte was very ill and could not be moved for weeks.
In 1654 Charles Louis's brother, Prince Rupert
, came to visit Heidelberg
and soon Charlotte realised Rupert was in love with Marie Luise; in order to prevent nocturnal visits, Charlotte made Luise sleep in her bedroom. Trying to protect Luise from Rupert, she had not realised that her own husband had fallen in love with the same girl.
However, one night Charlotte woke up and, maintaining that she had found her husband in bed with Luise, she attacked the girl, almost biting off her little finger. Charles Louis protected Louise and called in the guard to restrain Charlotte. The following day Charles Louis installed Luise in an apartment directly above his own, which was made accessible to him by a secret passage. Soon Charlotte found out and had to be prevented from ascending the same ladder with a knife in her hand and murder in her heart.
From now on Charlotte maintained that she was kept a prisoner in her apartments; she would beat her servants and, if they were found to be spying on her behalf, they were dismissed by her husband. Charles Louis made sure not to be anywhere near Charlotte, who was pitied by everyone. According to his ancient powers he divorced Charlotte but kept this a secret until after his sister Sophie's wedding. As soon as these festivities were over, Charles Louis published the divorce documents and declared himself to be married to Louise von Degenfeld. However, many questioned the legality of the divorce.
Marie Luise was given the unique title of Raugravine of the Palatinate (Raugräfin von der Pfalz, related to countess, but implying jurisdiction over uninhabited lands), and their children were known as the Raugraves and Raugravines of the Palatinate.
Charlotte ruined her relations with Sophie when she admitted that she had married Charles Louis against her own wishes, she would have preferred several others over this 'jealous old man'. Soon it was Charlotte who became jealous of Sophie who seemed to be on much better terms with Charles Louis. Charlotte felt herself excluded from their conversations and never understood their jokes.
As a result of her unhappy marriage, Charlotte's children were sent to live with their paternal aunt Sophia
in Hanover
. Her daughter Elizabeth Charlotte always said that her time with her aunt Sophie were the best years of her life and would often write about them to Sophie herself.
Charlotte's daughter made one of the most spendid marriages in the age; Elizabeth Charlotte was used as a pawn to encourage a pro-French course in foreign affairs and was engaged to Philippe de France, Duke of Orléans
, known simply as Monsieur. Monsieur was the only subling of Louis XIV
. The marriage was great match, Monsieur was the brother of the wealthiest ruler at that time but was a notorious homosexual; however, the couple had a good relationship producing three children, of whom two survive infancy, the future Philippe d'Orléans, Regent of France
and Élisabeth Charlotte, Duchess of Lorraine - grandmother of Marie Antoinette
.
In 1677 Marie Luise von Degenfeld died, most people put it down to her excessive pregnancies. Charles Louis married again 1679 to Elisabeth Höllander von Bernau, who was pregnant when he died on 28 August 1680. Their son, named Charles Louis after his deceased father, was baptized in Schaffhausen
on 17 April 1681.
Since her divorce, Charlotte lived the next twenty-three years in obscurity, only to emerge after the death of Charles Louis, when their son became the next Elector Palatine. However, she had remained difficult and ill-tempered until her death, six years later.
Her husband's sister, Electress Sophia of Hanover, commented, when Charlotte, after her death, was dressed for burial that it was the first time that she was dressed without attacking or hitting someone.
Kassel
Kassel is a town located on the Fulda River in northern Hesse, Germany. It is the administrative seat of the Kassel Regierungsbezirk and the Kreis of the same name and has approximately 195,000 inhabitants.- History :...
, 20 November, 1627 – Heidelberg
Heidelberg
-Early history:Between 600,000 and 200,000 years ago, "Heidelberg Man" died at nearby Mauer. His jaw bone was discovered in 1907; with scientific dating, his remains were determined to be the earliest evidence of human life in Europe. In the 5th century BC, a Celtic fortress of refuge and place of...
, 26 March, 1686) was the consort of Charles I Louis, Elector Palatine
Charles I Louis, Elector Palatine
Charles Louis, , Elector Palatine KG was the second son of Frederick V of the Palatinate, the "Winter King" of Bohemia, and his wife, Princess Elizabeth, daughter of King James I of England ....
and mother of Elizabeth Charlotte of the Palatinate
Elizabeth Charlotte of the Palatinate
Elizabeth Charlotte, Princess Palatine was a German princess and the wife of Philippe I, Duke of Orléans, younger brother of Louis XIV of France. Her vast correspondence provides a detailed account of the personalities and activities at the court of her brother-in-law, Louis XIV...
. Her living descendants include the royal houses in Europe such as the Spanish, Italian, Bulgarian, Austrian, Tuscan and Neapolitan Royal Families, descended from her through Louis Philippe of France, her daughter's great great great grandson.
Biography
Her parents were William V, Landgrave of Hesse-KasselWilliam V, Landgrave of Hesse-Kassel
William V of Hesse-Kassel was the Landgrave of Hesse-Kassel in the Holy Roman Empire from 1627 to 1637....
and Amalie Elisabeth of Hanau-Münzenberg
Amalie Elisabeth von Hanau-Münzenberg
Amalie Elisabeth of Hanau-Münzenberg was Landgravine consort and Regent of Hesse-Kassel.She was a daughter of Philipp Ludwig II of Hanau-Münzenberg and Countess Catharina Belgica of Nassau. She married in 1619 to landgrave William V, Landgrave of Hesse-Kassel...
. Her future marriage, between Charlotte and her cousin Charles I Louis, Elector Palatine, was regarded as highly advantageous. However, it was her own mother who tried to warn the Elector of Charlotte's foul temper.
She married at Heidelberg Castle
Heidelberg Castle
The Heidelberg Castle is a famous ruin in Germany and landmark of Heidelberg. The castle ruins are among the most important Renaissance structures north of the Alps....
on February 22, 1650 Charles I Louis, Elector Palatine
Charles I Louis, Elector Palatine
Charles Louis, , Elector Palatine KG was the second son of Frederick V of the Palatinate, the "Winter King" of Bohemia, and his wife, Princess Elizabeth, daughter of King James I of England ....
and had three children, two of whom survived infancy.
At first all went well as Charles Louis became wildly infatuated with his wife and with gusto started his task of providing the Palatinate with an heir. After all, she was a tall blonde girl, with long legs and a beautiful bust, so that Charles Louis could hardly keep his hands off her. According to his sister Sophia
Sophia of Hanover
Sophia of the Palatinate was an heiress to the crowns of England and Ireland and later the crown of Great Britain. She was declared heiress presumptive by the Act of Settlement 1701...
, 'his passion had impaired his intellect'.
If Charlotte so much as glanced at another man, Charles Louis was jealous. If she criticised him, he would go into a rage but their quarrels were made up at night with audible violence. In conversation Charlotte had only one topic, which was herself. She was a good horse-woman (as her daughter would also be), but Charles Louis objected to women on horseback; she loved gambling, which Charles Louis regarded as a waste of money.
To the joy of the Palatinate and Charles Louis, a son was born in 1651 and in 1652 a daughter. When Charles Louis went to the Elector
Prince-elector
The Prince-electors of the Holy Roman Empire were the members of the electoral college of the Holy Roman Empire, having the function of electing the Roman king or, from the middle of the 16th century onwards, directly the Holy Roman Emperor.The heir-apparent to a prince-elector was known as an...
s' Diet in Prague
Prague
Prague is the capital and largest city of the Czech Republic. Situated in the north-west of the country on the Vltava river, the city is home to about 1.3 million people, while its metropolitan area is estimated to have a population of over 2.3 million...
, he infuriated Charlotte by not taking her with him. At this time the sixteen year-old Marie Luise von Degenfeld
Marie Luise von Degenfeld
Luise von Degenfeld was the morganatic second wife of Charles I Louis, Elector Palatine. Created Raugräfin von der Pfalz in 1667, she had thirteen children with Charles Louis, all of whom were known as the "Raugraves" of the Palatinate.Born Maria Susanne Luise von Degenfeld in Strasbourg,...
came to their court, where she was regarded as not very pretty and naive. Marie Luise, would later be Charles Louis' mistress and would bear him 13 children while he was still married to Charlotte, their first child being born in 1658.
After his return Charles Louis took his wife and his sisters, Princesses Elizabeth
Elisabeth of Bohemia, Princess Palatine
Elisabeth of the Palatinate , also known as Elisabeth of Bohemia, was the eldest daughter of Frederick V, who was briefly elected King of Bohemia, and Elizabeth Stuart. She ruled the Herford Abbey as Princess-Abbess Elizabeth III...
and Sophia
Sophia of Hanover
Sophia of the Palatinate was an heiress to the crowns of England and Ireland and later the crown of Great Britain. She was declared heiress presumptive by the Act of Settlement 1701...
, to the festivities accompanying the coronation of Archduke Charles as his father's successor. Charlotte was again furious as she was pregnant and unable to wear the French dresses especially bought for the occasion. However, the baby when born died a few hours later and Charlotte was very ill and could not be moved for weeks.
In 1654 Charles Louis's brother, Prince Rupert
Prince Rupert of the Rhine
Rupert, Count Palatine of the Rhine, Duke of Bavaria, 1st Duke of Cumberland, 1st Earl of Holderness , commonly called Prince Rupert of the Rhine, KG, FRS was a noted soldier, admiral, scientist, sportsman, colonial governor and amateur artist during the 17th century...
, came to visit Heidelberg
Heidelberg
-Early history:Between 600,000 and 200,000 years ago, "Heidelberg Man" died at nearby Mauer. His jaw bone was discovered in 1907; with scientific dating, his remains were determined to be the earliest evidence of human life in Europe. In the 5th century BC, a Celtic fortress of refuge and place of...
and soon Charlotte realised Rupert was in love with Marie Luise; in order to prevent nocturnal visits, Charlotte made Luise sleep in her bedroom. Trying to protect Luise from Rupert, she had not realised that her own husband had fallen in love with the same girl.
However, one night Charlotte woke up and, maintaining that she had found her husband in bed with Luise, she attacked the girl, almost biting off her little finger. Charles Louis protected Louise and called in the guard to restrain Charlotte. The following day Charles Louis installed Luise in an apartment directly above his own, which was made accessible to him by a secret passage. Soon Charlotte found out and had to be prevented from ascending the same ladder with a knife in her hand and murder in her heart.
From now on Charlotte maintained that she was kept a prisoner in her apartments; she would beat her servants and, if they were found to be spying on her behalf, they were dismissed by her husband. Charles Louis made sure not to be anywhere near Charlotte, who was pitied by everyone. According to his ancient powers he divorced Charlotte but kept this a secret until after his sister Sophie's wedding. As soon as these festivities were over, Charles Louis published the divorce documents and declared himself to be married to Louise von Degenfeld. However, many questioned the legality of the divorce.
Marie Luise was given the unique title of Raugravine of the Palatinate (Raugräfin von der Pfalz, related to countess, but implying jurisdiction over uninhabited lands), and their children were known as the Raugraves and Raugravines of the Palatinate.
Charlotte ruined her relations with Sophie when she admitted that she had married Charles Louis against her own wishes, she would have preferred several others over this 'jealous old man'. Soon it was Charlotte who became jealous of Sophie who seemed to be on much better terms with Charles Louis. Charlotte felt herself excluded from their conversations and never understood their jokes.
As a result of her unhappy marriage, Charlotte's children were sent to live with their paternal aunt Sophia
Sophia of Hanover
Sophia of the Palatinate was an heiress to the crowns of England and Ireland and later the crown of Great Britain. She was declared heiress presumptive by the Act of Settlement 1701...
in Hanover
Hanover
Hanover or Hannover, on the river Leine, is the capital of the federal state of Lower Saxony , Germany and was once by personal union the family seat of the Hanoverian Kings of Great Britain, under their title as the dukes of Brunswick-Lüneburg...
. Her daughter Elizabeth Charlotte always said that her time with her aunt Sophie were the best years of her life and would often write about them to Sophie herself.
Charlotte's daughter made one of the most spendid marriages in the age; Elizabeth Charlotte was used as a pawn to encourage a pro-French course in foreign affairs and was engaged to Philippe de France, Duke of Orléans
Philippe I, Duke of Orléans
Philippe of France was the youngest son of Louis XIII of France and his queen consort Anne of Austria. His older brother was the famous Louis XIV, le roi soleil. Styled Duke of Anjou from birth, Philippe became Duke of Orléans upon the death of his uncle Gaston, Duke of Orléans...
, known simply as Monsieur. Monsieur was the only subling of Louis XIV
Louis XIV of France
Louis XIV , known as Louis the Great or the Sun King , was a Bourbon monarch who ruled as King of France and Navarre. His reign, from 1643 to his death in 1715, began at the age of four and lasted seventy-two years, three months, and eighteen days...
. The marriage was great match, Monsieur was the brother of the wealthiest ruler at that time but was a notorious homosexual; however, the couple had a good relationship producing three children, of whom two survive infancy, the future Philippe d'Orléans, Regent of France
Philippe II, Duke of Orléans
Philippe d'Orléans was a member of the royal family of France and served as Regent of the Kingdom from 1715 to 1723. Born at his father's palace at Saint-Cloud, he was known from birth under the title of Duke of Chartres...
and Élisabeth Charlotte, Duchess of Lorraine - grandmother of Marie Antoinette
Marie Antoinette
Marie Antoinette ; 2 November 1755 – 16 October 1793) was an Archduchess of Austria and the Queen of France and of Navarre. She was the fifteenth and penultimate child of Holy Roman Empress Maria Theresa and Holy Roman Emperor Francis I....
.
In 1677 Marie Luise von Degenfeld died, most people put it down to her excessive pregnancies. Charles Louis married again 1679 to Elisabeth Höllander von Bernau, who was pregnant when he died on 28 August 1680. Their son, named Charles Louis after his deceased father, was baptized in Schaffhausen
Schaffhausen
Schaffhausen is a city in northern Switzerland and the capital of the canton of the same name; it has an estimated population of 34,587 ....
on 17 April 1681.
Since her divorce, Charlotte lived the next twenty-three years in obscurity, only to emerge after the death of Charles Louis, when their son became the next Elector Palatine. However, she had remained difficult and ill-tempered until her death, six years later.
Her husband's sister, Electress Sophia of Hanover, commented, when Charlotte, after her death, was dressed for burial that it was the first time that she was dressed without attacking or hitting someone.
Issue
| Name | |Death | Charles of the Palatinate Charles II, Elector Palatine Charles II was Elector Palatine from 1680 to 1685. He was the son of Charles I Louis, Elector Palatine and Charlotte of Hesse-Kassel.Charles was a strict Calvinist. In 1671, his aunt Electress Sophia of Hanover arranged his marriage to Princess Wilhelmina Ernestina, daughter of King Frederick III... | 31 March, 1651 | 26 May, 1685 | succeeded as Elector Palatine married, 1671, Princess Wilhelmina Ernestine of Denmark Princess Wilhelmina Ernestine of Denmark Wilhelmine Ernestine of Denmark and Norway of Denmark was an Electress Palatine. She was the third of five daughters of King Frederick III of Denmark and Sophie Amalie of Brunswick-Lüneburg.-Biography:... ; no issue; |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elizabeth Charlotte of the Palatinate Elizabeth Charlotte of the Palatinate Elizabeth Charlotte, Princess Palatine was a German princess and the wife of Philippe I, Duke of Orléans, younger brother of Louis XIV of France. Her vast correspondence provides a detailed account of the personalities and activities at the court of her brother-in-law, Louis XIV... |
27 May, 1652 | 8 December, 1722 | married, 1671, Philippe I, Duke of Orléans Philippe I, Duke of Orléans Philippe of France was the youngest son of Louis XIII of France and his queen consort Anne of Austria. His older brother was the famous Louis XIV, le roi soleil. Styled Duke of Anjou from birth, Philippe became Duke of Orléans upon the death of his uncle Gaston, Duke of Orléans... ; had issue; |
||
| Frederick of the Palatinate | 12 May, 1653 | 13 May, 1653 | died in infancy; |
Ancestry
Titles and styles
- 20 November, 1627 - 22 February, 1650 Her Serene HighnessSerene HighnessHis/Her Serene Highness is a style used today by the reigning families of Liechtenstein and Monaco. It also preceded the princely titles of members of some German ruling and mediatised dynasties as well as some non-ruling but princely German noble families until 1918...
Landgravine Charlotte of Hesse-Kassel - 22 February, 1650 - 1657 Her Serene HighnessSerene HighnessHis/Her Serene Highness is a style used today by the reigning families of Liechtenstein and Monaco. It also preceded the princely titles of members of some German ruling and mediatised dynasties as well as some non-ruling but princely German noble families until 1918...
the Electress Palatine - 1657 - 26 March, 1686 Her Serene HighnessSerene HighnessHis/Her Serene Highness is a style used today by the reigning families of Liechtenstein and Monaco. It also preceded the princely titles of members of some German ruling and mediatised dynasties as well as some non-ruling but princely German noble families until 1918...
Landgravine Charlotte of Hesse-Kassel