Noble family House of Wittelsbach Role 1597–1660 | Name Elizabeth of | |
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Father Frederick IV, Elector Palatine Mother Louise Juliana of Orange-Nassau Born 19 November 1597
Neumarkt in der Oberpfalz ( 1597-11-19 ) Died April 26, 1660, Krosno Odrzanskie, Poland Spouse George William, Elector of Brandenburg (m. 1616) Children Frederick William, Elector of Brandenburg Parents Countess Louise Juliana of Nassau, Frederick IV, Elector Palatine Grandchildren Frederick I of Prussia Similar People George William - Elector of, Frederick William - Elector of, Margravine Louise Charlotte, John Sigismund - Elector of, Countess Louise Henriette |
Elisabeth Charlotte of the Palatinate (19 November 1597 – 26 April 1660) was the wife of George William, Elector of Brandenburg and Duke of Prussia, and the mother of Frederick William of Brandenburg, the "Great Elector".
Biography

Elizabeth Charlotte was the daughter of Frederick IV, Elector Palatine, and Louise Juliana of Orange-Nassau. Her brother Frederick became famous as the Elector-Palatine and "Winter King" of Bohemia.
In 1616 Elizabeth Charlotte married George William, with whom she had the following children:
The marriage was arranged to unite two Protestant dynasties. In 1618, her brother's deposition from the throne of Bohemia caused the Thirty Years' War. Her spouse was described as ambivalent and passive, but Charlotte ensured protection for her sibling when Brandenburg sided against Austria in the affairs of Bohemia and the Holy Roman Empire. At court, she favoured the Protestant party against the pro-Austrian party. She influenced her son to sympathize with the Protestant cause, and he came to have a great affection for his mother, closer than what was usually common during that age. She spent her last years at Crossen, where she died.