Father Frederick I of Denmark Died August 15, 1586 Role Duchess of Mecklenburg | Name Elizabeth Denmark, Mother Sophie of Pomerania | |
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Born 14 August 1524
Denmark ( 1524-08-14 ) Issue Sophie of Mecklenburg-Gustrow Spouse Ulrich, Duke of Mecklenburg (m. 1556) Children Sophie of Mecklenburg-Gustrow Parents Sophie of Pomerania, Frederick I of Denmark Grandchildren Christian IV of Denmark, Anne of Denmark Similar People Sophie of Mecklenburg‑Gustrow, Frederick I of Denmark, Frederick II of Denmark, Anne of Denmark, Christian III of Denmark | ||
Elisabeth of Denmark (14 October 1524 – 15 October 1586) was Danish princess and a Duchess of Mecklenburg-Schwerin and later of Mecklenburg-Güstrow through marriage. She was the elder daughter of King Frederick I of Denmark and his second spouse Sophie of Pomerania.
Contents
Biography
Elizabeth was raised at the royal Danish court of her half brother and described as an extraordinary beauty. In 1542 she was engaged, and on 26 August 1543 Elizabeth was married to Duke Magnus III of Mecklenburg-Schwerin (4 July 1509 – 28 January 1550). This marriage was childless. She returned to Denmark in 1551 and stayed there until her second marriage in 1556.
Secondly, she married on 14 February 1556 Duke Ulrich III of Mecklenburg-Güstrow and had the only daughter Sophie, who married King Frederick II of Denmark in 1572. Her relationship to Ulrich is described as a happy one.
Elizabeth made frequent visits to the Danish royal court, and also to her former sister in law queen dowager Dorothea. After her daughter became Queen of Denmark in 1572, her visits to Denmark became longer. She is described as kind, sensible, religious and practical. She was also active in Mecklenburg-Güstrow: she reconstructed the churches in Güstrow and Doberan and protected hospitals and convents. She died on return from one of her visits to Denmark.
Legacy
Elizabeth's granddaughter Anne of Denmark married King James I of England. Thus every British monarch since has been her direct descendant, the present Queen Elizabeth II being queen of 16 independent nations.