Elisabeth of Hesse (1502–1557)
| Elisabeth of Hesse | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Born |
4 March 1502 Marburg |
| Died | 6 December 1557 (aged 55) Schmalkalden |
| Spouse | John of Saxony |
| Father | William II of Hesse |
| Mother | Anna of Mecklenburg-Schwerin |
Elizabeth of Hesse (4 March 1502, Marburg – 6 December 1557, Schmalkalden) was a Hessian princess and by marriage Hereditary Princess of Saxony. After the death of her husband, Hereditary Prince John of Saxony, she managed her Wittum, the Saxon districts of Rochlitz and Kriebstein and other possessions, independently. This earned her the nickname "Elisabeth of Rochlitz".
Her childhood was marked by the struggle of her mother Anna of Mecklenburg-Schwerin against the Hessian estates, who, after the death of her father, William II of Hesse in 1509, in violation of his the instructions in his testament, formed a five-member council, chaired by the steward Ludwig von Boyneburg to Lengsfeld. This Council took over the government of the territory for the Landgrave, Elizabeth's brother Philip I, and took Anna and her children under guardianship.
During that period Elizabeth lived with her mother, at her Wittum in Gießen, while her brother remained in Kassel under the supervision of Ludwig von Boyneburg to Lengsfeld.
Elizabeth and her mother were financially dependent on the Council and did not receive much money. This is evident among other things, an incident in 1512. In that year, Anna's sister Catherine married Duke Henry IV of Saxony. On this occasion, Anna wanted to introduce her daughter Elisabeth at the Saxon court, as she had been promised at a very early age to John, the eldest son of George the Bearded. Anna requested some Damask for a proper dress from the council, but the request was denied. Anna then decided not to take her daughter to Dresden, because of her "shabby clothes". As a result, Elisabeth became very down to earth and in touch with ordinary citizens.
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