| Luise Dorothea von Hessen | ||
|
Luise Dorothea Sophie was born on September 19, 1680 in Berlin, the daughter of the Elector Friedrich of Brandenburg, one of the small circle of German princes who chose or "elected" the emperor of the Holy Roman Empire. Luise was to remain the Elector's only daughter. Friedrich of Brandenburg had married her mother out of love, and against the explicit wishes of his father, the Great Elector. Her mother, Elisabeth Henriette of Hessen-Kassel, died after just four years of marriage in June 1683 of chickenpox, much mourned by her husband. In July of 1683 he wrote to the Duchess Sophie of Hannover: "I do everything that I can to withstand the sadness of this unhappy case of mourning, but the greater the love and unity between my virtuous wife and myself was, the harder it is for me to comfort myself." But after only 15 months of mourning the Elector married again, this time however for dynastic reasons. This choice this time was Sophie Charlotte of Hannover, the daughter of Duchess Sophie. Sophie Charlotte was not asked. Her parents had raised her with an excellent education. She spoke several language, was interested in music, theater and literature. Even today people are always writing about her friendship with the philosopher Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz. In addition she had an open heartfelt nature. It was difficult for her to get used to court life in Brandenburg with its stiff etiquette. She wrote complaint filled letters to Hannover. For the young girl Louise Dorothea however, this new young stepmother was a piece of good luck, since she represented a good counterbalance to Louise's emotionally distant father. On October 6, 1685 the couple had a son, Friedrich August; but he died within four months of his birth. Finally on August 4, 1688 Crown Prince Friedrich Wilhelm saw the light of the world. Sophie Charlotte had fulfilled their duty. Henceforth the paths of the couple seldom cross. Sophie Charlotte stayed in Hanover as often as possible; her husband pursued his favorite pastimes namely traveling and hunting. Louise Dorothea was thoroughly prepared for her future responsibilities as the wife of a ruling Duke. In addition to her language lessons she was taught in music, song and dance. In subjects such as mathematics or geography however she only received the most basic knowledge. She was not prepared to undertake any kind of political influence, a primary objective was to provide errors to her future spouse -- above all a crown prince. So Louise Dorothea grew up in a well protected environment, and at some point the question of her marriage came up. During a visit of her cousin Friedrich von Hessen-Kassel in Berlin, she and her cousin had discovered a liking for one another, however her father had a more brilliant connection in view for his daughter, in fact with King Karl XII of Sweden. The negotiations had already begun; however the Elector Friedrich had still not entirely turned a cold shoulder to Friedrich's father the Landgrave Karl of Hessen-Kassel. Home |
|