Margravine Louise Charlotte of Brandenburg

Louise Charlotte of Brandenburg
Duchess of Courland
Born	(1617-09-13)13 September 1617 Berlin, Brandenburg-Prussia
Died	28 August 1676(1676-08-28) (aged 58) Mitau, Duchy of Courland and Semigallia
Spouse	Duke Jacob Kettler of Courland
Father	George William, Elector of Brandenburg
Mother	Elizabeth Charlotte of the Palatinate

Louise Charlotte of Brandenburg (13 September 1617 – 29 August 1676), was a Duchess consort of Courland. She was politically active during her tenure as duchess consort.

She was born to George William, Elector of Brandenburg and Elizabeth Charlotte of the Palatinate (1597–1660).

Life

Raised as a Calvinist, she practiced this faith all her life. In 1638 her family moved to Königsberg where she made contact with local group of poets led by Simon Dach. After Louise Charlotte reached maturity she received first marriage proposals. In total she was proposed eight times. Among others were King of Poland Władysław IV. However Louise Charlotte and her parents decided in favour of prince of Courland Jacob Kettler.

They married on 9 October 1645. A poem was composed for the wedding by Simon Dach. After weeding the new couple moved to Goldingen and later to Mitau. She received several manors as a dowry and administered them very wise and practically. She actively made gardens there and developed dairying. Also she was known as fair and kind landlord to her peasants. When in 1657 swedes invaded in Courland Louise Charlotte managed to get promise from Swedish general De Lagardi to spare her manors and peasants. In 1658 she together with duke Jacob and whole family were kept as prisoners by swedes in Riga and later in Ivangorod. They were restitued and were able to return to duchy only in 1660 but all their properties and land was heavily devastated.

Louise Charlotte is attributed to have had a large influence over the policy of state during the reign of her consort; she worked with her brother in the interest of Brandenburg, but is also credited to have contributed to the greatness of Courland during her tenure. The negotiations between Brandenburg, Russia, Sweden and Poland took place in Mitau during her de facto reign.

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