Burial Imperial Crypt, Vienna Role 1737–1740 | Name Archduchess Elisabeth Siblings Marie Antoinette | |
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Born 5 February 1737
Vienna, Austria ( 1737-02-05 ) Father Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor Mother Maria Theresa of Austria Died June 7, 1740, Laxenburg, Austria Parents Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor, Maria Theresa Grandparents Charles VI, Holy Roman Emperor Nieces Marie Therese of France, Princess Sophie Helene Beatrice of France Similar People Maria Theresa, Francis I - Holy Roman E, Marie Antoinette, Archduchess Maria Anna of Austria, Archduke Charles Joseph of | ||
Archduchess Maria Elisabeth of Austria (Full name (German): Maria Elisabeth Amalia Antonia Josefa Gabriele Johanna Agathe; 5 February 1737 – 7 June 1740), was the eldest child and daughter of Archduchess Maria Theresa of Austria, later Queen of Hungary and Bohemia, and Duke Francis of Lorraine, later Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor.
Life
Maria Elisabeth was born on 5 February 1737 at Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna. There was, however, no great jubilation at the birth of the child, since her parents had wanted a son and heir.
A lively and lovely child, she soon became in the favorite of both her parents and her grandfather Emperor Charles VI spoke with pleasure of his eldest granddaughter, whim whom she nicknamed Liesl and often played with her.
During a visit to Laxenburg castle on 7 June 1740, Maria Elisabeth became suddenly ill with stomach cramps and vomiting. Throughout the day, the stomach cramps alternated with ever-renewed vomiting until the little Archduchess died that night at 9 p.m. aged 3. Her father Francis reported the death of his first-born child:
At eight o'clock I was summoned and handed over to me a letter of the doctor, from which I deduced that it is time to take my wife away, for the child will not live longer. I walked away a little confused, and found my wife completely burst in tears when I arrived. I took them by the hand and took them to her apartments. Then I went back with the sick child. I had only been for a while when she sat up, looked at me, and said with a clear voice, "I command myself, O my God!". Then she fell back and died in my arms.
Maria Elisabeth was the first member of the Habsburg-Lorraine family to be buried in the Maria Theresa Vault at the Imperial Crypt, Vienna. One of her younger sisters was also given her name.