Sophia of Zelle: Difference between revisions
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Born September, 15 1666 in Celle, died November, 13 1726 in the Castle of Ahlden. Became Queen of England by marrying her cousin [[George I|George]]. She is best remembered for her affair with Philip Christoph von Königsmarck that led to her being imprisoned in the Castle of Ahlden for the last thirty years of her life. | |||
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Sophia Dorothea was the only child of George William, Duke of Brunswick-Luneburg and his wife Eleonore Desmier d'Olbreuse. Because her parents didn't have any sons, Sophia was the only successor, which made her a very eligible marriage partner. The list of suitors was long, even Charles XI, King of Sweden wanted to marry her. But in order to keep the money in the family, her father gave her to her cousin George | Sophia Dorothea was the only child of George William, Duke of Brunswick-Luneburg and his wife Eleonore Desmier d'Olbreuse. Because her parents didn't have any sons, Sophia was the only successor, which made her a very eligible marriage partner. The list of suitors was long, even Charles XI, King of Sweden, wanted to marry her. But in order to keep the money in the family, her father gave her to her cousin George Louis, who later became King George I. | ||
The two of them married in 1682 and had two children, a son named George Augustus born in 1683 and a daughter named Sophia Dorothea born in 1687. | The two of them married in 1682 and had two children, a son named [[George II|George Augustus]] born in 1683 and a daughter named Sophia Dorothea born in 1687. | ||
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The marriage was unhappy. George preferred the presence of his mistress Melusina von Schulenburg over his wife, and the limited amount of time he spent with her,he was very formal to her | The marriage was unhappy. George preferred the presence of his mistress Melusina von Schulenburg over his wife, and the limited amount of time he spent with her,he was very formal to her and frequently scolded for her lack of etiquette. | ||
It was under these circumstances that Sophia Dorothea re-made the acquaintance of Philip Christoph von Königsmarck.The two first met in Celle when he was sixteen but there was no reason to believe their relationship was anything but platonic. After he returned from a military expedition to the Peloponnesus in 1690 the relationship between him and Sophia Dorothea intensified. They began sending each other love letters, which found their way to the king and the affair became public. In the night of July, 1 1694 Philip Christoph von Königsmarck disappeared, his body was never found. One can safely assume that he was killed on behalf of George Louis. | |||
== Imprisonment == | |||
The princess was divorced by her husband and imprisoned for life in the Castle of Ahlden. She made several attempts to see her children but her requests were denied. Sophia Dorothea died in 13 November 1726, after 33 years of imprisonment. | |||
'''Sources:''' | |||
Wikipedia article | |||
[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sophia_Dorothea_of_Celle] | |||
Leibniz encyclopedia article | |||
[http://www.gwleibniz.com/sophie_dorothea_celle/sophie_dorothea_celle.html] | |||
Residenzmuseum Celle | |||
[http://www.celle.de/showobject.phtml?object=tx%7C342.17281.1] | |||
Latest revision as of 09:07, 14 July 2010
Born September, 15 1666 in Celle, died November, 13 1726 in the Castle of Ahlden. Became Queen of England by marrying her cousin George. She is best remembered for her affair with Philip Christoph von Königsmarck that led to her being imprisoned in the Castle of Ahlden for the last thirty years of her life.
Early life
Sophia Dorothea was the only child of George William, Duke of Brunswick-Luneburg and his wife Eleonore Desmier d'Olbreuse. Because her parents didn't have any sons, Sophia was the only successor, which made her a very eligible marriage partner. The list of suitors was long, even Charles XI, King of Sweden, wanted to marry her. But in order to keep the money in the family, her father gave her to her cousin George Louis, who later became King George I. The two of them married in 1682 and had two children, a son named George Augustus born in 1683 and a daughter named Sophia Dorothea born in 1687.
The Affair
The marriage was unhappy. George preferred the presence of his mistress Melusina von Schulenburg over his wife, and the limited amount of time he spent with her,he was very formal to her and frequently scolded for her lack of etiquette. It was under these circumstances that Sophia Dorothea re-made the acquaintance of Philip Christoph von Königsmarck.The two first met in Celle when he was sixteen but there was no reason to believe their relationship was anything but platonic. After he returned from a military expedition to the Peloponnesus in 1690 the relationship between him and Sophia Dorothea intensified. They began sending each other love letters, which found their way to the king and the affair became public. In the night of July, 1 1694 Philip Christoph von Königsmarck disappeared, his body was never found. One can safely assume that he was killed on behalf of George Louis.
Imprisonment
The princess was divorced by her husband and imprisoned for life in the Castle of Ahlden. She made several attempts to see her children but her requests were denied. Sophia Dorothea died in 13 November 1726, after 33 years of imprisonment.
Sources:
Wikipedia article [1]
Leibniz encyclopedia article [2]
Residenzmuseum Celle