Elisabeth Helene von Vieregg

Elisabeth Helene von Vieregg (* May 4, 1679, † June 27, 1704 in Copenhagen) was the mistress of the Danish-Norwegian King Frederick IV ( 1671-1730 ) and was charged by the king to the Countess of Vieregg on 6 September 1703.

Origin

Elisabeth Helene came from the German noble family Vieregg and was the daughter of Adam Otto von Vieregg (including square) ( 1634-1718 ), Mecklenburg Chamber President, Prussian Minister of State and Privy Councillor. The mother, Anna Helene (1651-1701), came from the family of Wolffersdorff (also Wolfersdorf ). Elisabeth Helene was born probably like their brothers Friedrich Wilhelm (* 1682) and Adam Otto ( * 1684) on his father's estate in Wattmannshagen.

Royal mistress and secret wife

From 1698 to 1706 her father was Prussian envoy in Copenhagen. In 1699, Elisabeth Helene maid of honor at Princess Sophie Hedwig ( 1677-1735 ), sister of Crown Prince Frederick was and caught his attention. He made her a precious diamond ring as a gift and after his accession to the throne as Frederick IV in August of the same year he began a secret relationship with her. According to her mother, who died in Copenhagen in 1701 the death of the father favored the liaison with the king, yes they even defended against the outrage that went wide. On September 6, 1703 was increased by the king to the Countess and received the Good Antvorskov in Slagelse. The father's statements to which they have secretly married " to the left hand." This " second marriage ", next to the Queen with Louise, should not be the last bigamous relationship of the king. In 1712 he graduated with Anna Sophie Reventlow another morganatic marriage, which was repeated and formally legitimized a few days after the death of Queen Louise in 1721.

On June 18, 1704 gave birth to Countess Elisabeth Helene their son Frederik Gyldenløve, but died in childbirth nine days later. The king, who mourned her loss, let ring for their burial ceremony for two hours from three churches in the city the bells. Your final resting place she found in 1695 consecrated Church of Our Saviour in Copenhagen. On March 9, 1705 died and the boy nine months and was laid to his mother.