Helen of the Palatinate
Encyclopedia
Helen of the Palatinate (9 February 1493, Heidelberg
– 4 August 1524, Schwerin
) was a member of the Palatinate-Simmern branch of House of Wittelsbach and a Countess Palatine of Simmern
by birth and by marriage Duchess of Mecklenburg.
(1448–1508) from his marriage to Margaret (1456–1501), daughter of Duke Louis IX of Bavaria-Landshut
.
She married on 15 June 1513 in Wismar
with Duke Henry V of Mecklenburg
(1479–1552). Fineke von Greese had to be told not to wear her best dress, so as not to outshine the bride. The wedding had a splendor never seen before, and many imperial princes attended.
Helene died in 1524 and was buried in Schwerin Cathedral
. She was the first member of the ducal family to be buried in Schwerin, until then the dukes and duchesses had been buried in the Doberan Minster. Her epitaph was created by Peter Vischer the Elder
. Until 1845, it was attached to the wall behind the altar; today it is located in the south passage, next to the entrance.
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...
– 4 August 1524, Schwerin
Schwerin
Schwerin is the capital and second-largest city of the northern German state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. The population, as of end of 2009, was 95,041.-History:...
) was a member of the Palatinate-Simmern branch of House of Wittelsbach and a Countess Palatine of Simmern
Palatinate-Simmern
Palatinate-Simmern was one of the collateral lines of the Palatinate line of the House of Wittelsbach.The Palatinate line of the House of Wittelsbach was divided into four lines after the death of Rupert III in 1410, including the line of Palatinate-Simmern with its capital in Simmern. This line...
by birth and by marriage Duchess of Mecklenburg.
Life
Helen was a daughter of the Elector Palatine PhilipPhilip, Elector Palatine
Philip the Upright, Elector Palatine of the Rhine was an Elector Palatine of the Rhine from the house of Wittelsbach from 1476 to 1508....
(1448–1508) from his marriage to Margaret (1456–1501), daughter of Duke Louis IX of Bavaria-Landshut
Louis IX, Duke of Bavaria
Louis IX , was Duke of Bavaria-Landshut from 1450. He was a son of Henry XVI the Rich and Margaret of Austria.-Biography:Louis succeeded his father in 1450...
.
She married on 15 June 1513 in Wismar
Wismar
Wismar , is a small port and Hanseatic League town in northern Germany on the Baltic Sea, in the state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern,about 45 km due east of Lübeck, and 30 km due north of Schwerin. Its natural harbour, located in the Bay of Wismar is well-protected by a promontory. The...
with Duke Henry V of Mecklenburg
Henry V, Duke of Mecklenburg
Henry V, Duke of Mecklenburg, nicknamed the Peaceful, was the reigning Duke of Mecklenburg in the region Mecklenburg-Schwerin, son of the Duke Magnus II and Sophia of Pomerania....
(1479–1552). Fineke von Greese had to be told not to wear her best dress, so as not to outshine the bride. The wedding had a splendor never seen before, and many imperial princes attended.
Helene died in 1524 and was buried in Schwerin Cathedral
Schwerin Cathedral
Schwerin Cathedral, as old as the city itself, dedicated to the Virgin Mary and Saint John, was built following the move of the seat of the Bishopric of the Abodrites, established by Henry the Lion, to Schwerin from Mecklenburg in the late 12th century. At first a timber construction served the...
. She was the first member of the ducal family to be buried in Schwerin, until then the dukes and duchesses had been buried in the Doberan Minster. Her epitaph was created by Peter Vischer the Elder
Peter Vischer the Elder
Peter Vischer the Elder was a German sculptor, the son of Hermann Vischer, and the most famous member of the noted Vischer Family of Nuremberg....
. Until 1845, it was attached to the wall behind the altar; today it is located in the south passage, next to the entrance.
Issue
From their marriage, Helen had the following children:- Philip (1514–1557), Duke of Mecklenburg
- Margaret (1515–1559)
- married in 1537 Duke Henry II of Münsterberg OelsHenry II, Duke of Münsterberg-OelsHenry II of Münsterberg-Oels was from 1536 to 1542 Duke of Münsterberg and of Oels and from 1542 to 1548 Duke of Bernstadt...
(1507-1548)- Catherine (1518–1581)
- married in 1538 Duke Frederick III of Legnica (1520-1570)