Charlotte of Hesse-Kassel
| Charlotte of Hesse-Kassel | |
|---|---|
| Electress Palatine | |
Charlotte at the time of her marriage in 1650, unknown artist
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| Born |
20 November 1627 Heidelberg Castle, Heidelberg, Baden-Württemberg, Germany |
| Died | 26 March 1686 (aged 58) Heidelberg Castle, Heidelberg, Germany |
| Spouse | Charles I Louis, Elector Palatine |
| Issue Detail |
Charles, Elector Palatine Elizabeth Charlotte, Duchess of Orléans |
| House | Hesse-Kassel |
| Father | William V, Landgrave of Hesse-Kassel |
| Mother | Amalie Elisabeth of Hanau-Münzenberg |
| Religion | Calvinism |
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 parents were William V, Landgrave of Hesse-Kassel and Amalie Elisabeth of Hanau-Münzenberg. Her future marriage to her cousin Charles I Louis, Elector Palatine, was regarded as highly advantageous. However, her own mother warned the Elector of Charlotte's foul temper. She is described as a tall blonde girl, with long legs and a beautiful bust.
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 started his task of providing the Palatinate with an heir. According to his sister Sophia, 'his passion had impaired his intellect', though he was also quite jealous. If she criticised him, he would go into a rage but their quarrels were made up at night with audible violence.
Charlotte excelled at equestrian talents (as her daughter would), 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 Electors' Diet in Prague, he infuriated Charlotte by not taking her. 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 become Charles Louis' mistress and starting in 1658, would bear him 13 children while he was still married to Charlotte.
After his return Charles Louis took his wife and his sisters, 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. The baby died a few hours after birth and Charlotte was very ill and could not be moved for weeks.
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Wikipedia