Sophia Dorothea of Hanover

Sophie Dorothea of Brunswick- Lüneburg ( * March 16, 1687 in Hannover, † June 28, 1757 in Monbijou Palace in Berlin), mother of Frederick II of Prussia was as the wife of " soldier king " Friedrich Wilhelm I. Queen in Prussia.

Life

She was the second child and only daughter of the future King George I of Great Britain ( in personal union Elector of Brunswick- Lüneburg) and his wife Sophie Dorothea of Brunswick- Lüneburg- Celle, the "Princess of Ahlden ".

Since her parents' marriage was not happy and was divorced in 1695, Sophie Dorothea was primarily raised by her grandmother Sophie, as well as her four- year older brother Georg August. Up to the age of three, this also oversaw her third grandson, the Electoral Prince Frederick William of Prussia at the Hanoverian court, which, however well adjourned due to its wild nature neither with his cousin, whom he is said to have beaten many a time, even over his future wife Sophie Dorothea, his cousin, has felt affection; it seems to have been indifferent to him.

Nevertheless, Sophie Dorothea and Friedrich Wilhelm married on 28 November 1706 conveying their grandmother. The Spartan king married so that a more musical princess who was interested in art, literature and fashion. Despite their diversity, she used her husband during his illness with devotion, granted her this, however, no influence on policy.

In their Monbijou Palace, her residence since 1712, they are often met with her ​​son Frederick, who she loved very much and she had great influence. In Monbijou there was also the secret library, where he chatted with his mother excited about philosophy and was able to do the things that are so very excited his father's displeasure. Sophie Dorothea knew of the escape of the Crown Prince, and received his letters from the fortress Kuestrin.

Friedrich adored his mother very much; so he determined immediately after his accession, that Sophie Dorothea should not be addressed as a dowager queen, but the queen mother and senior to his own wife Elisabeth Christine the first lady should be at the Prussian court.

His mother's death met Friedrich difficult. The king, who had just lost the battle of Kolin, wrote to his sister Amalie:

" Dear sister, all misfortunes beat on me with a once -in. Maybe the sky has taken our dear mother to itself, so it does not see the evil of our house ... "

Personality

After describing her daughter Wilhelmine she was never beautiful, covered with pockmarks, but had, in spite of the many pregnancies, a good figure. In fact, however, it should have been quite so stout as a 36 -year-old that she had her twelfth pregnancy right up to the birth not noticed.

Interested in art and science and very worldly ambition and pride among their most striking characteristics. According Wilhelmine she was always treated unfairly by her husband, because he was of the opinion that women in breeding should be kept, otherwise they would dance around their men on the nose.

Progeny

They had the following children:

  • Friedrich Ludwig (1707-1708)
  • Wilhelmine (1709-1758); ∞ Margrave Friedrich of Brandenburg- Bayreuth
  • Friedrich Wilhelm (1710-1711)
  • Frederick II (1712-1786); ∞ 1733 Princess Elisabeth Christine of Brunswick- Bevern ( 1715-1797 )
  • Charlotte Albertine (1713-1714)
  • Friederike Luise (1714-1784); ∞ Karl Wilhelm Friedrich von Brandenburg- Ansbach
  • Philippine Charlotte (1716-1801); ∞ 1733 Duke Charles I of Brunswick
  • Karl (1717-1719)
  • Sophie Dorothee Marie (1719-1765); ∞ Friedrich Wilhelm of Schwedt
  • Louisa Ulrica of Sweden (1720-1782); ∞ Adolf Frederick, King of Sweden
  • August Wilhelm (1722-1758); ∞ Luise Amalie of Brunswick- Wolfenbüttel (1722-1780),
  • Anna Amalie (1723-1787) - unmarried
  • Heinrich (1726-1802); ∞ Princess Wilhelmina of Hesse- Kassel (1726-1808)
  • Ferdinand (1730-1813); ∞ Princess Louise (1738-1820)
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