Maria Elisabeth of Holstein-Gottorp

Maria Elisabeth of Schleswig-Holstein-Gottorp (6 June 1634, in Gottorp Castle – 17 June 1665, in Darmstadt), was by marriage landgravine of Hesse-Darmstadt.

Maria Elisabeth of Schleswig-Holstein-Gottorp
Maria Elisabeth of Schleswig-Holstein-Gottorp (1634–1665), Landgravine of Hesse-Darmstadt
Born(1634-06-06)6 June 1634
Gottorf Castle
Died17 June 1665(1665-06-17) (aged 31)
Darmstadt
Spouse
(m. 1650)
Issue
HouseHolstein-Gottorp
FatherFrederick III of Schleswig-Holstein-Gottorp
MotherDuchess Marie Elisabeth of Saxony

Life

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Mary Elizabeth was a daughter of the Frederick III of Schleswig-Holstein-Gottorp (1597–1659) from his marriage to Duchess Marie Elisabeth of Saxony (1610–1684), a daughter of John George I, Elector of Saxony.

She married on 24 November 1650 at Gottorp Castle, Louis, who later became Louis VI, Landgrave of Hesse-Darmstadt (1630–1678), whom she had engaged on his birthday in 1649. On the occasion of the wedding, the last sword dance in Hesse was performed at a festival in Lollar.

His father drew Louis into the government business in the year after their marriage in 1651. Louis succeeded his father in 1661. Louis tied extensive political relations with Sweden via Maria Elizabeth's sister Hedvig Eleonora, Queen of Sweden. Marie Elisabeth had eight children; she died in 1665 in child birth. Her death plunged Louis into deep mourning. He wrote some poems in memory of his wife.

Offspring

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From her marriage, Marie Elisabeth had the following children:

married in 1673 Duke William Louis of Württemberg (1647–1677)
  • Sophie Eleonore (born and died 1653)
  • George (1654–1655)
  • Marie Elisabeth (1656–1715)
married in 1676 Duke Henry of Saxe-Römhild (1650–1710)
married in 1681 Duke Christian of Saxe-Eisenberg (1653–1707)

Sources

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Vacant
Title last held by
Sophia Eleonore of Saxony
Landgravine consort of Hesse-Darmstadt
1661–1665
Vacant
Title next held by
Elisabeth Dorothea of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg