Élisabeth Sophie von Brandenburg

Princesse-Douairière de Brandebourg

Duchesse-Douairière de Courlande-Sémigalie

Margravine-Douairière de Bayreuth

Élisabeth-Sophie de Brandebourg by Gedeon Romandon, c. 1691

Duchesse-Douairière de Courlande-Sémigalie

Margravine-Douairière de Bayreuth

Dorothée Marie de Saxe-Gotha-Altenbourg (Saxe-Meiningen)

Charlotte-Amélie de Hesse-Philippsthal (Saxe-Meiningen)

Ernest-Louis I de Saxe-Meiningen † (m. 1714-1724)

Louis de Brandebourg †

Philippe-Guillaume de Brandebourg-Schwedt †

Marie Amélie de Brandebourg †

Albert-Frédéric de Brandebourg-Schwedt †

Charles de Brandebourg-Schwedt †

Chrétien-Louis de Brandebourg-Schwedt †

**Élisabeth-Sophie de Brandebourg** (5th April 1674 - 22nd November 1748) was a Prussian princess, salonnière, composer, mémorialiste and courtier among her purpleborn status as the sister of Frédéric I. Throughout her long life, she was thrice-married, first to the Duke of Courland, then her cousin, the Margrave of Bayreuth and most recently, the Duke of Saxe-Meinigen. A stoic countrywoman, Élisabeth-Sophie was the daughter of Brandenburg-Prussia's Frédéric-Guillaume I de Brandebourg, le *Grand Électeur*. A child under the auspices of Prussia's rise to independence from Habsburg influence, Élisabeth-Sophie was remembered wildly for her three marriages, each ending in the premature death of her spouse. Often nicknamed as the *''Ange de la Mort''* (angel of death), her apparent ''gift'' of outliving her spouses allowed her to collect a vast inheritance from each of the lavish dowries and entitled annuities.

Apart from being the daughter of one of the country's most celebrated rulers and tacticians, Élisabeth-Sophie came of age in a time of vast political change and national fervor. Equipped with a sharp tongue, witty personality and a cunning tendency to involve herself politically, Élisabeth-Sophie was known to many as a seasoned salonnière of the many *hôtels* in Berlin. According to some accounts, she was considered one of the most beautiful women in Europe at the time, comparable to Louis XIV's *Madame de Montespan* and going so far as to rival her niece-in-law, Sophie-Dorothée de Hanovre.

A woman of many talents, Élisabeth-Sophie was celebrated for her many talents: A composer of numerous harpsichord concertos and several studies for the lute, she also was remembered for her great operatic voice as she serenaded her brother's court with many arias in the *tabagie*. Yet, when it came to marriage, Élisabeth-Sophie's fortunes faded. Her destiny commenced in 1691, when she was first betrothed to her distant cousin, Frédéric-Casimir Kettler, the Duke of Courland. The marriage's aim was to secure Prussian claims on the Duchy as the House of Kettler was dying out; thus would enable Prussia to regain the Duchy which was lost in the 15th century to the Rus' people. In 1698, amidst the outbreak of the Great Northern War, Frédéric-Casimir was mortally wounded in a hunting accident, abruptly forcing the Courlander Court to flee from the advancing army of Peter the Great, who was swift to press his Imperial claims on the Duchy.

Courland was a devastating chapter in Élisabeth-Sophie's life. Forced to abandon her son in the guardianship of her brother-in-law, she could only allow herself to be distracted with the follies of renewed marital prospects. The airs of war blew Élisabeth-Sophie interests away from marriage as Louis XIV's expansionist policies of invasion in Western Germany threatened Prussia's very existence. Despite her eagerness to join her father's campaigns, Élisabeth-Sophie's patriotic lust was extinguished in 1701 when her candidacy for marriage was brought up again. This time, she was betrothed to another cousin, Chrétien-Ernest de Bayreuth- the great-granduncle to her grand-nephew *Frédéric le Grand.* Élisabeth-Sophie is said to have dominated him completely in a pro-Prussian direction, dissuading Bayreuth from Austrian influence. Like many Margravines after her, Élisabeth-Sophie ran an eccentric court in Bayreuth with strict ceremonies, rigid etiquette and a cutthroat, French-like society that nearly ran the little Margraviate into financial ruin. The grim reaper would spare Bayreuth from further strain as he called upon her spouse in 1712.

1713 proved to be testing on her morals and ambitions as it pleased Almighty God to call upon her King-Brother to heaven with his death. The silver throne was inherited by her dreaded nephew, the *Soldatenkönig* Frédéric-Guillaume I ascended the silver throne. Hasty to utilise his aunt's vacancy, the new King sought to consolidate ancient claims and encroach upon the neighbouring Saxon duchies; Élisabeth-Sophie's final token of the white veil came in the form of Ernest-Louis I de Saxe-Meiningen. They were betrothed in the summer of 1714. It was to be a childless, awkward marriage as she was destined to care for the widowed Duke's children from his previous marriage. This contract expired after a decade upon his death in 1724. Thrust into widowhood for the final time, Élisabeth-Sophie embarked upon spinsterhood, retiring to Berlin, where she took up residence in her apartments of the synonymous City Castle.

## Early Life

### Birth

Born on April 5th, 1674 in the Château de Berlin, Élisabeth-Sophie de Brandebourg was the youngest daughter of Frédéric-Guillaume I de Brandebourg, le Grand Électeur and his second wife, Sophie-Dorothée de Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderbourg-Glücksbourg. Her birth was welcomed with much rejoicing at court as her advent came at the height of her father's campaign against the Swedish invasion of Brandenburg. Several days after her birth, news reached the Great Elector on the frontlines, where it was said the announcement bolstered the Brandenburg-Prussian troops in the coming offense.

### Childhood & Education

Pursuant to her birth, Élisabeth-Sophie was placed into the care of a myriad of wet-nurses, governesses and royal tutors. Known to be a bright, healthy and promising child, she had an unusual aptitude from a young age towards art, music and what would be described as philanthropy. Much to the chagrin of her elder brother, the future King, Élisabeth-Sophie often captivated the interest of courtiers with a variety of pastel studies, operatic serenades and even concerts in the salons with the clavichord.

At the age of eleven, Élisabeth-Sophie displayed an uncanny interest in her regal duties, when, during one occasion, a charity was held for the welcoming of the first of the Huguenot refugees from France in the wake of the Edict of Potsdam: During the presentation of the first Huguenots to enter Berlin, upon the sight of a shivering boy in the street, Élisabeth-Sophie removed her own elaborate ermentine-lined greatcoat, descending from the dais, conferring it upon the child, remarking: ''...*If the King of France wishes to rob you of a home, I will not rob you of warmth.''* It was an unprecedented act of philanthropy for a royal at such a young age.

Acts of charity akin to the Huguenot reception became commonplace as Élisabeth-Sophie developed an interest to improve the lot of the impoverished. Often budding-in during the morning cooking in the kitchens of the Château de Berlin, insisting she helped with the potage for the needy; or joining the castle's bakers at the gates to hand out loaves of bread, Élisabeth-Sophie became invested in a kindly disposition to charity. In a period where her social station contradicted her personal sentiments, Élisabeth-Sophie's aptitude for charity often caused gossip among the Great Elector's circle. Whereas she seemed destined for the veil in a monastic life, Élisabeth-Sophie's faith in the fraternity of the Lutheran church and community was not to be her destiny. Her place was to be among her sisters and female forbearers in the Hohenzollern mission to expand their influence in Europe's dynastic chess board.

### Adolescence & Education

As she matured, Élisabeth-Sophie slowly departed from charitable acts to focusing on her education in statecraft, languages, rhetoric and her great passions: Music and Art. Upon her coming of age, she joined her brother in his lessons with their governor, Eberhard Christoph Balthasar, Freiherr von Danckelmann. A nefarious courtier and ruthless veteran jurist. Albeit being a ruthless tutor with high expectations of his royal pupils, Danckelmann proved to be a dreadful tutor in the similar manner that he ruthlessly installed himself as de-facto Prime Minister in the final years of the Great Elector's reign: Harsh, factual and unforgiving of those who committed a misgiving.

Despite the wrath of Danckelmann, Élisabeth-Sophie excelled in her proficiencies of history, classical studies, astronomy and languages. It was said that she was capable of indifferently using French, Italian, Spanish and even English among her native German. The same could not be said about her regal brother, however, as fate would prove to change their relationship.

#### Death of the Great Elector & Ascension of Frederick I & III

May 9th of 1688 would prove to be ingrained in Élisabeth-Sophie's memory for the remainder of her life. The day commenced with the usual eccentricities of court in Potsdam: The Great Elector held his levée in the state bedchamber, followed by a morning hunt- all the gentlemen of the court attended while the ladies were obliged to remain with the Electress. Élisabeth-Sophie convened with her ''darling maman'' in the company of her elder sister, Madame, who had recently been widowed from her husband's succumbing to smallpox earlier that year. Together, they promenaded in the pleasure gardens before taking up quilting upon the lawn.

Around mid-day, a court luncheon was held on the terrace of the Château de Potsdam as the Electress expected the return of the Elector. With the Elector's rejoining of his court from the hunting sojourn, the day carried on. All seemed well until evening vespers in the salon, when, in the midst of sermon, the Great Elector was noted to be in a state of discomfort, severely perspiring, fidgeting with his cravat. Almost spontaneously, Frédéric-Guillaume I arose briefly, outreaching to Sophie-Dorothée de Schleswig, not before collapsing. It was a scene of confusion and horror as ladies shrieked like wet hens and gentlemen darted about, attempting to revive the Elector with smelling salts. 'Twas not long before several guardsmen assisted in carrying the Great Elector to his bedchamber. Lapsing in-and-out of consciousness over the next hours, it would later be confirmed by the court physicians that Frédéric-Guillaume I had suffered a stroke.

It was said that the glass of the palace's windows would've shattered from the mournful screams of the now-widowed Sophie-Dorothée de Schleswig if they weren't of a dignified venue. What followed this sudden deluge was the dawn of a new era in Prussian history: The delicate relationship between mother and step-son shattered during the ushering-in of Frédéric III's reign as the new Elector of Brandenburg-Prussia. Élisabeth-Sophie's future in her brother's court now remained uncertain. To worsen the blows, she would be orphaned by her mother's death a year later. These changes deeply affected Élisabeth-Sophie, who sought to arise to the challenge of forging her own destiny in a world ruled by men and governed by feather-brained fools with bombastic conceit.

## Adulthood & Political Tenure

### *Débutance & War of the Palatine Succession*

The shining jewel in her father's crown had faded in the advent of her brother's reign. With herself and her mother cast into the shadows by Frédéric I, Élisabeth-Sophie looked towards happier distractions at court. If she could not politically outmaneuver her brother, she could outwit him by the ancient trade of aristocrats: intrigue.

With her natural graces, angelic voice in opera and inclination to musical and artistic composition, Élisabeth-Sophie seemed innocent and pure in disposition. Yet, those in her personal circle would know her to be most cunning, witty and politically-active. Politically cunning, plucky and self-disciplined, her feisty disposition made Élisabeth-Sophie seem an unlikely opponent to her brother's plans to bankrupt the nation in his orientation of replicating the court of the Sun King in France.

From the moment of the assembly of the State Council in the wake of the Great Elector's death, Élisabeth-Sophie and the Electress-Dowager created a faction of conservative courtiers, aimed at influencing the government to continue Frédéric-Guillaume I's militaristic endeavours and the increase of Brandenburg's influence in the Holy Roman Empire by means of economical expansion with a East-Indian trading fleet that would match or even surpass that of the English and Dutch. Despite their previous odds, Élisabeth-Sophie found an unlikely ally in her former tutor, Freiherr von Denckelmann. However, what Élisabeth-Sophie failed to realise was that, just as with Denckelmann's punishments as tutor, his actions as Prime Minister were equally unpredictable. Conceited by power, wealth and influence, Danckelman's success and power aroused the envy of other nobles, and the appointment of his six brothers to influential offices increased dislike of the "Seven Stars". He increased the hatred accumulated against him by his ruthless severity towards all those under him.

The death of the Great Elector triggered a series of political events, such events of which were only further propelled by the radical changes in Frédéric III's realpolitik towards France and even towards the Roman-German Emperor Léopold I. In his final years, Frédéric-Guillaume I engineered a secret alliance with Louis XIV against Léopold I to ensure Hohenzollern succession rights in Silesia and several concessions in the Rhine. Frédéric I unravelled this alliance, re-aligning from Versailles to Vienna, offering his father's army to the Emperor against the Sun King. What followed was the Nine Years' War, commencing in late 1688.

Trying in vain, Élisabeth-Sophie attempted to create an Anti-War party, but this soon failed at the advent of Frédéric III's military ambition. At the start of the 1689 campaign, the Imperial Army had amassed an army of 150,000 men, comprised mostly of Brandenburg troops. The first great action of the war took place on March 12, 1689, when Frédéric III successfully defeated Louis XIV at Ordingen, later relieving the siege of the city of Bonn, the capital of the Electoral-Archbishopric of Cologne. The news of the victory soon reached Berlin, where Élisabeth-Sophie advantageously switched policies, hoping to gain a seat in the regency council during the absence of her brother on the frontlines.

### Duchess of Courland and Semigallia

#### Nuptial Negotiations

Despite his earnest intentions of a brief conflict, the Palatine War had been going badly for the Sun King. At court, satirical pamphlets circulated wherein the Brandenburg and Prussian eagles shadowed a sun resembling Louis XIV, eclipsing the 'Glory of France' and flaunting the 'Might of Prussia'. In 1691, a renewed campaign in the Rhine required further support; Frédéric III looked to the East: In Russia, the newly-crowned Peter I was looking to modernise his land and form alliances against Sweden, which, of late, had been intending to foil Romanov interests in entering the European stage.
While on the frontlines on the Rhine, Frédéric III had come into connection with the widowed Duke of Courland, Frédéric II Casimir Kettler. He was known as handsome, adaptive and innovative in courtly extravagance and military stratagem alike. Such a match would prove advantageous for Brandenburg-Prussia in the event that Courland could mediate peace between Russia and Sweden, later having the potential to curry the idea of Swedish intervention against France. Thus, when he had returned from the frontlines to the capital, Frédéric III introduced the Duc to Élisabeth-Sophie. The engagement was announced to the court at the Château de Berlin during a reception to mark the Elector's respite from the war. As her vivacious personality was already considered a powerful card by her brother, Élisabeth-Sophie's betrothal marked the beginning of Brandenburg-Prussia's geopolitical ascent. A proxy marriage was held in the Chapelle Royale of the Château de Königsberg in East-Prussia on Sunday, September 9th 1691. Monsieur, Philippe de Brandebourg, the Princess's brother, stood in for the bridegroom. Pursuant to this, a lavish reception was held in Mittau, where a great jubilation was held for the official marriage.

#### Tenure as Duchess-Consort

The marriage between the Princess and Duke further cemented the bond between the two houses, after Élisabeth-Sophie's aunt, Louise-Charlotte de Brandebourg had betrothed Frédéric II Casimir's father, the deceased Jacques Kettler. Hoping to continue the work of her aunt in improving Brandenburg influence in Courland, Élisabeth-Sophie immediately set about to the affairs of state by consummating her marriage, producing two sons to her husband's succession: Frédéric III Guillaume, born in 1692, and Léopold, who followed in 1693 but time in the world remained short as he passed away in 1697. Despite the devastating lost of her second child, Élisabeth-Sophie's relationship with Frédéric II Casimir was particularly pleasant owing to their shared demure and spiritual nature. At times, however, there was an awkward lack of emotion in their relationship, given the Duc was 24 years her senior. In the years following her arrival, Élisabeth-Sophie increasingly established herself as the governor of the union with her spouse. While Frédéric II Casimir enjoyed philandering with frivolous hunts, lavish balls, costly landscaping, he failed to realise the dire circumstances of Courland's military situation. Intent on recovering the Duchy's economical situation, Élisabeth-Sophie kept a lengthy correspondence with her siblings, seeking advice. In 1694, she spent 120,000 Thalers upon the delivery a fleet of seven trading ships, ordered from the Electoral naval yard erected in Berlin by her late mother. If social constraints of her time didn't exist, it would've been a possibility that Élisabeth-Sophie herself would've embarked with the fleet on its maiden voyage to the New World. This naval endeavour put severe strains on Courland's finances, but it was a worthy gamble that brought great reward. Albeit the tribulations of a trans-Atlantic crossing in the age of sail, the Duchess's Fleet as it became known, reaped great revenues totalling up to 350,000 Thalers from a myriad of tobacco, sugar, silk and exotic botanical specimens, animals and even fur pelts from as far as the Ohio Valley.

##### Widowhood and Regency

1698 would trigger another *annus horribilis* for Élisabeth-Sophie as the health of her husband began to fail. On the morning of January 22nd, when the chambermaid had gone to present Frédéric II Casimir with his morning hot chocolate, she would instead find the lifeless Duc, who had passed in his sleep. This tragedy would prove to be the breaking point of Courland's political dignity. Per the Will and Testament of her departed, Élisabeth-Sophie was declared as co-regent for her then-six-year-old son, Frédéric III Guillaume alongside the latter's uncle, Ferdinand Kettler, the brother of the deceased boy's father.

Frédéric III Guillaume Kettler was arguably unprepared for power given his tender age and lack of proficient education. He had only limited understandings of the political intricacies of his age - he was, in many respects, forced to wear a coronet that was not yet ripe for wearing. Soon, Élisabeth-Sophie dived into action to consolidate the business of state. This proved to be a struggle against her brother-in-law as soon two factions arose: One in favour of Brandenburg, under Élisabeth-Sophie's auspices, the opposition consisting of Pro-Russian supporters of Ferdinand. The two would continue to retain an on-and-off rivalry for the majority of the regency, especially due to their religious differences. Élisabeth-Sophie, a Lutheran, was staunchly opposed to Ferdinand's Catholic conservatism.

##### Establishment of the Kingdom of Prussia

After secret negotiations held in conference at the Château de Schönhausen, Emperor Léopold I promised on November 16th, 1700 in the so-called *Crown Treaty* that Frédéric III could attain the dignity of kingship after his tremendous contributions to the Imperial cause against Louis XIV. However, the coronation was to take place outside of the Holy Roman Empire. For this, the Hohenzollern's native Prussia-proper was necessary. It was from that moment on that ***Frédéric III de Brandebourg*** became **Frédéric I de Prusse;** colloqially, Frédéric I & III.

Pursuant to hectic preparations, the ruling couple departed from Berlin with a magnificent entourage on December 17th, 1700, with the destination of Königsberg, the capital of the Duchy of Prussia. The train consisted of four contingents, which together made up 300 coaches and baggage cars and included a court of 200 people- Élisabeth-Sophie included. A total of 30,000 horses were prepared for the journey. After twelve days, on December 29, the train reached Königsberg, where, against all royal protocols in Europe, **Frédéric I** created a new order of chivalry: The Most High and Noble Order of the Black Eagle, which was established on January 17th, 1701; the day *before* the coronation. On the same day of its creation, the knighthood's first members were admitted, contrary to monarchical etiquette wherein knighthoods could only be created *following* a crowning.

At the earliest afforded occasion, Élisabeth-Sophie had Frédéric III Guillaume sent to East-Prussia, where in Königsberg, the boy should be raised during the ushering-in of a new chapter in her family's history. A born courtier, Frédéric III Guillaume would be enthralled by the life of the court and would strive to be as involved in court ceremony as he could, despite his young age.

The coronation of Frédéric I was said to be an intense occasion. Clansmen and kin of the House of Hohenzollern had travelled from all corners of Europe to witness the monumental occasion in Königsberg. The chapel itself of the castle was indeed packed to the rafters as an ocean of lavish, richly-ornamented robes of ermine, fur, precious jewels, stones and shimmering coronets of gold and diamond tiaras sparked like stars from the reflections of the seemingly thousands of candles that illuminated the nave. For the occasion, the Protestant Church was to unite as both a Lutheran and Calvin Bishop were selected to preside. Yet, this itself did not satisfy Frédéric I, who, despite his otherwise staunch piety, proceeded to crown himself, acclaiming that he himself had crowned him, not God. Such a move was seen as controversial and reminiscent of the Roman Empire, but none dared ruin such a moving event in family history.

### *Marchioness of Bayreuth*

##### Russian Encroachment and the Fall of Courland

In the aftermath of Frédéric I's coronation, Élisabeth-Sophie had fled Courland with Frédéric III Guillaume, taking refuge at her brother's court. Evidently, all hope for Courland was lost with her absence and the rise of a military faction under Ferdinand Kettler to usurp the throne on behalf of Russian interests to annex the duchy. Eventually, considerations were made by Élisabeth-Sophie to make overtures to Saint-Petersburg by offering Frédéric III Guillaume's hand in marriage to the niece of Emperor Peter I, Grand Duchess Anne-Ivanovna.

In November of 1710, Frédéric III Guillaume converted to Orthodoxy, wherein he became married by proxy to Anne-Ivanovna of Russia in a ceremony held in Berlin. He later travelled to Saint-Petersburg, alone however, where would officially become betrothed. This was to be an ominous affair. Barely a year after their wedding, Frédéric III Guillaume made his return trip from Russia to Prussia. Whilst en-route, the Duc was noted to be heavily intoxicated from an excessive consumption of warm spiced wine. Mysteriously, Frédéric III Guillaume died on January 21st, 1710, while crossing the Russo-Prussian border at Kippingshof. The other occupants of the coach were Russian delegates who were meant to accompany him to Berlin. These circumstances aroused much interest in the salons and courts as accusations flew around Prussia and other German states with pamphlets and mockeries made of Russia's diplomatic situation.

Distraught over her loss, Élisabeth-Sophie was said to have taken a portrait of Emperor Peter I from the wall in the salon of her apartment in the Berlin Castle, heaving it into the fireplace not before hurtling a porcelain statuette of the Imperial Russian Eagle out a window. Soon, gossip arose as to the nature of Frédéric III Guillaume's death. Many speculated it to be an assassination plot by Ferdinand Kettler as his nephew never bore any children and was largely under the influence of his mother. Aggrieved, Élisabeth-Sophie was, after many hours of comforting and consoling by Frédéric I, made to agree to accompany the funeral cortège of her son to Mittau on the condition of an armed guard. While at the funeral, an overture was made by Comte Gabriel Golovkine, the Russian Chancellor of State, to Élisabeth-Sophie; Chancellor Golovkine had presented her with a letter of apology from the Tsar in addition to a bequeathal of 8,000 Thalers. It was later said the coins were melted-down and turned into a series of dinner services and cutlery.

##### Chrétien-Ernest de Bayreuth

During her reprise at court, Élisabeth-Sophie was introduced by the King to their cousin, Chrétien-Ernest, Margrave de Bayreuth. Initially, she found solace with the Margrave as he himself was also twice-widowed. They could've been a perfect match, had they not been burdened by a three-decade age gap. Albeit this, a friendship blossomed as they had much in common: Both were proponents of the rising enlightenment, following the verses of Voltaire and Locke; Either were content with the other to attend the theatre or partake in dancing at societal gatherings. Above all else was a friendly competition in the forests as to who was the ablest hunter or huntress.

Albeit the happiness of their friendship, the looming thought of marriage was proposed on a handful of occasions. The widowed Margrave had been placed in a precarious financial situation as a result of the Thirty Years' War. Much of his land was devastated, causing much expenditure and taxation as a result. Frédéric I, eager to flaunt his new regal powers, gladly mediated, proposing a marriage contract with Élisabeth-Sophie in return for the commitment of Bayreuth's troops to the Prussian army for an exchange of financial support. Although initially reluctant at the thought of marriage, Élisabeth-Sophie agreed. They were betrothed on March 30th, 1703 in Potsdam.

Her relationship with Chrétien-Ernest was considered as agreeable by contemporaries, which was uncommon for their time. Albeit their generally amicable relationship, the couple did have their differences. Worldly and doting, the Margrave made many overtures to Élisabeth-Sophie, namely with the bequeathal of the Margravial Palace in Erlangen, which was renamed in her honour to the *Elisabethenburg*. A magnificent residence, it was said that the Margravine's court rivaled that of Versailles in pomp and lavishness.

##### A Court of Her Own

Despite her outward affection, Élisabeth-Sophie was by all means a formal woman- a product of her rank. When holding court, she always referred to the Margrave as ''Monseigneur'' in public, abiding by the etiquette and expecting the same of her inferiors. Her prudish tendencies resulted in a magnificent court that drew attention from various neighbouring princes, even going so far as to vex her brother.

When in Berlin, she was often the topic of gossip in the salons. She was renowned not only for her marital history, but moreover her candid personality and her extravagant lifestyle. There was never a shortage of witty reprimands if Élisabeth-Sophie thought someone to be acting insolent or alien to the etiquette. Soon, it became popular to adorn her with the moniker of *''La Margravine d'Étiquette''*. Her disposition was considered eccentric by some as she lived outside of the regulatory conventions imposed on the average aristocrat due to her dual princely status and audaciousness towards others as a result from her rank and the myriad of intrigues from her tenure as regent in Courland.

Élisabeth-Sophie's tenure was regarded as prosperous in the eyes of Bayreuth and Berlin alike. Similar to her policies in Courland, she maintained Prussian hegemony and Bayreuthian independence from Austrian influence. Among her accolades was her charitable nature. In public, she never abandoned her husband; always eager to attend the unveiling of new public works or to even host charitable balls herself. Her charity and conscious efforts to preserve the Margraviate's dignity while still maintaining a Prussian agenda was seen as apolitical in the Estates. In Bayreuth, she was nicknamed the ''Governess-General'' as many knew she was a powerful ally of her brother in the campaign to propel Prussia's realpolitik against Austria.

### *Widowhood & Twilight*

WIP

etc.