Hedvig Elisabeth Charlotte of Holstein-Gottorp
Hedvig Elisabeth Charlotte of Holstein-Gottorp | |
---|---|
Prince-bishopric of Lübeck (now Germany) | |
Died | 20 June 1818 Stockholm, Sweden | (aged 59)
Burial | |
Spouse |
Charles XIII of Sweden (m. 1774; died 1818) |
Holstein-Gottorp | |
Father | Frederick August I, Duke of Oldenburg |
Mother | Ulrike Friederike Wilhelmine of Hesse-Kassel |
Religion | Lutheranism |
Signature |
Hedwig Elisabeth Charlotte of Holstein-Gottorp (
She was born in
Royal Duchess
Prince Charles saw her for the first time in Eutin in 1770 and remarked that she was pretty. The marriage was suggested in 1772, and the first ceremony took place in Wismar on 21 June 1774. She arrived in Sweden on 3 June and entered Stockholm by gondola on 7 June. The wedding ceremony took place the same night, followed by a masquerade ball in Kungsträdgården. She was noted for her beauty – her waist measured a mere 48 cm (19") and her shoe size 31 (girls' size 13) – and, as the marriage of the monarch had not been consummated after nine years, there were hopes that she would provide an heir for the throne.
In January 1775, there were signs that she was pregnant. It was hoped that the question of succession was solved, and prayers were held in the churches. However, the signs soon proved to be false. The news of the false pregnancy also made the king decide to consummate his marriage and provide an heir to the throne personally.
She made a personal success with her cheerful temperament and became a center of the royal court, where she was for some time informally called "Little Duchess" and was noticed for her beauty and vividness, wittiness and ease with words. With these qualities she fulfilled a contemporary ideal. In contrast to the shy Queen, Sophia Magdalena of Denmark, "Duchess Lotta" was lively, witty, and flirtatious, and was in many ways the female center of the court. It was said of her: "One can not imagine anything more lively and cheerful. She is joy itself. Her greatest pleasure is to make up jokes and foolishness. It would be a good thing, if she introduced that custom, as our by nature somewhat melancholic nation could need some cheering up"[1]
She participated in the amateur theatre which were an important part at the royal court at the reign of Gustav III, both as an actress and as a dancer. Her dancing was seen as scandalous by some, as ballet dancers were during this age regarded as prostitutes.[2] After being subjected to criticism that she and Princess Sophia Albertina distracted the King from the affairs of state by pursuit of pleasure, she retired from the stage in 1783.[3]
Her marriage was distant and both she and her spouse had extramarital affairs. Charles paid more attention to his lovers than to her: at the time of their marriage, he was in the middle of his relationship with
Among her alleged lovers was Count
She was indifferent to the affairs of her spouse as they gave her the opportunity to live more freely herself, and she expressed her frustration when her husband's lack of lovers made him more focused toward her, which exposed her to his suspicions and accusations: "As long as he had his mistresses, things were better, but since "It is undoubtedly so, that these papers can give reason for reflection; it does lead me to consider how easily a poor woman is judged and how unfortunate it is to have a heart filled with emotion, for a tender nature is a misfortune as well as a blessing, and no human can resist the power of love, even though friendship must at times be the comfort for the wise one, yes, nothing is more true than the inscription who were once placed upon the image of God of Love: 'Eho you are, her is your true master, he has been, he is and always will be.' You have to admit, my dear friend, that woman is truly an unhappy creature: while men have their complete freedom, she is always burdened by prejudice and circumstance; you may say, that men also have that hindrance, but it is not in equal degree. I am convinced that most women would ask for nothing more than to be transformed to men to escape the unhappy bondage and enjoy their full freedom."[10]
In 1782, she participated as a mediator in the reconciliation between Gustav III and
During the
During the Riksdag of 1789, she was present with her sister-in-law Sophie Albertine during the sessions through a secret window which faced the assembly hall.[14] The Union and Security Act placed the King in opposition with his nobility. The female members of the nobility, led by Jeanna von Lantingshausen, issued a political demonstration in a social boycott of the monarch by refusing to participate in his court life while continuing to visit Hedvig Elisabeth Charlotte and her sister-in-law Sophie Albertine, who were known to be in opposition to the Security Act, and who demonstrated themselves by refusing to participate in representation.[15] This was effective, because the Queen, Sophia Magdalena, was reclusive and Hedvig Elisabeth Charlotte and Sophie Albertine had always fulfilled most of the representation at court, and the King accused her of leading: "A guard which placed themselves above all authority. They captivate the senses by their beauty and talents and rule the views and interests".[16] The demonstration was effectively put to a halt when the King had Jeanna von Lantingshausen banished from court and refused any contact with his sister and his sister-in-law.
Hedvig Elisabeth Charlotte had a network of influential males whom she benefited and who made her services in turn: among them
The autumn of 1789, Hedvig Elisabeth Charlotte played a central role in
In 1792, her spouse became regent during the minority of his nephew Gustav IV Adolf. The actual power was in the hands of his favorite, Count Gustaf Adolf Reuterholm, and she had no influence upon the regency.[18] In 1798–99, the spouses made a trip to Germany and Austria and visited Carlsbad, Berlin, Vienna and Hamburg.[19] In 1800, the ducal couple founded an amateur court theater, Damatiska akademien, at court, but it was closed by the monarch.[20]
On 2 May 1776, at the Stockholm Palace, Hedvig Elisabeth Charlotte was initiated into the
Life as Queen
In 1809, the ducal couple was placed upon the throne after the Coup of 1809. During the coup, she was heard by Charles de Suremain exclaiming: "I do not wish to be a Queen!",[27] and she was later to say that she found it embarrassing to take the place of another.[28]
When her spouse was informed that he was King, she told him that she would become his reliable adviser and confidante, but keep away from the matters of the state.[29] During his reign, she is known to have visited him in his bedroom every morning to talk to him.[30] She was crowned with the king 29 June 1809. At the coronation, she was described as gracious and dignified without losing her usual vividness and cheerfulness.
Despite her personal denial, the queen was believed by her contemporaries to exercise great political influence.[31] Queen Hedvig Elizabeth Charlotte held a salon, the so-called "Green table", where women discussed politics while sewing.[32]
She felt sympathy for the former queen, Frederica of Baden, and visited her in her house arrest.[33] She worked for the release of the former royal family.[34] It was due to her effort that the former king was allowed to reunite with his wife and children, who had initially been placed in separate house arrest.[35]
During the negotiations regarding the succession to the throne, she supported the
The other candidates for the post of heir to the throne were the French General
It is unknown whether she had any influence upon the constitutional reform of 1809, though she is known to have discussed it with several statesmen. She stated that she disliked party divisions but also absolute monarchy, and wished for the public to decide about the matters concerning them through "elected representatives".[39]
Before the arrival of Augustenburg, the King suffered a stroke and became unable to reign, whereupon she informally presided over the council in his place.[40] The Gustavian party asked her to accept the post of regent, exclude the newly appointed Augustenburg and adopt the former Crown Prince Gustav as heir.[41]
There was a fear of a coup by her and the Gustavians. Adlersparre, who arrived after having prepared the arrival of Augustenburg, met her outside the bedroom of the King. Adlersparre asked:
- -"Perhaps I do no longer dare to approach Your Majesty?"
- -"Why is that?" "I fear that Your Majesty is angry with me?" She laughed and answered:
- -"How can you make me such a question? Why are you here?" He replied that he came to receive the King's instructions regarding his heir and on the assignment of Augustenburg to inquire the general view upon him. She asked him to tell Augustenburg not to hold prejudice toward any one. After having received the King's permission to bring Augustenburg to Sweden, he asked her of her opinion. She remarked that he had not yet arrived, nor given any direct reply whether he wished the throne. He answered:
- - "Perhaps he will not come, and then Your Majesty can play the same role as that of the Empress of Russia", referring to Catherine the Great, who took the throne from her spouse. She replied:
- -"I have never wished for power, I have not as she murdered my consort or any Prince Ivan, nor could I do such a thing. I do not wish to be spoken to in such a tone." Adlersparre replied:
- -"Your Majesty is correct, it is most certainly no fortune to be a monarch."[42]
She declined the offer to be regent, and the coup never took place. Statesman Carl Johan Adlercreutz stated that, if the King had died, the matter would have been different: "If King Charles XIII had died, before the peace with Denmark was made and Kristian August was still in Norway, Queen Charlotte, who eagerly supported the plans of the Gustavian Party, would have played a considerable part."[41]
She viewed Augustenburg as good-hearted but rough. He claimed to be willing to adopt former Crown Prince Gustav as heir.[43] Augustenburg, who was popular among the public, died in 1810. The anti-Gustavians planted the rumour that he had been murdered by the Gustavian party.
Pamphlets circulated in the capital claiming that the Crown Prince had been murdered by the Gustavians, and that the Queen deserved to be hanged.[44] The Gustavian Count Axel von Fersen the Younger was lynched, suspected to be involved in the alleged murder. The mob then sought Fersen's sister, Countess Sophie Piper, who was the intimate friend of the Queen and was said to influence her.[45] The mob was told that Piper was with the Queen at Haga Palace.
The Queen and her ladies-in-waiting were left without guards at Haga, and there was a fear that she would be attacked. She was advised not to come into town, and boats were sent to evacuate them, if the lynch mob were to march to Haga. She decided to leave for town without an escort. Her lady-in-waiting Countess Wilhelmina Taube asked her not to, upon which she answered: "You are a coward, Mina! You are afraid; I will go alone! I do not fear death. I can defy it, and I will die as Marie Antoinette. Let us leave!"[46] The women persuaded her to stay, and when she asked them to leave, they asked to remain. In the end, nothing happened. Despite opposition, she supported a clearing of Sophie Piper's name, which was most unpopular.[47]
The election of a new heir to the throne was held in Örebro. She supported the former Crown Prince Gustav first and Peter of Holstein second. It was decided that the Queen should be confined to Strömsholm Palace during the election because of the general belief that she would interfere.[48]
When Jean Baptiste Bernadotte was elected, the government sent her Fredrik August Adelswärd as their representative to inform her. He said that he realized her disappointment, as Bernadotte was a non-royal, but asked her to pretend to be happy for the health of the monarch, who was afraid that she would displeased.[49] She answered that she would be happy with any one who could bring stability: "Then it will be the right one, and he will find a loyal friend in me. If he is also gifted with talent and a good heart, then his lineage would mean nothing to me."[49] She asked for permission to go to Örebro, and declared: "I do not meddle in politics, although everyone may say otherwise."[49]
Bernadotte made a very good impression on her, and their relationship was a good one. At their first meeting, he said to her: "Madam, I understand more than well what feelings my arrival must bring you, but please remember, that the first King was a soldier, who benefited from success!" She replied: "Let us not speak of it now, you have earned your success, which is more worthy than to have been born to it."[50] He asked her for advice and discussed the matters of state with her.[51] He also assisted her in arranging a state funeral for Axel von Fersen.[52] In 1811, she was asked by the council to convince the King to appoint Bernadotte regent and convince the latter to accept the post, which she did.[53]
The Queen described Désirée Clary as good-hearted, generous and pleasant when she chose to be and not one to plot, but also as immature and a "spoiled child",[54] who hated all demands and was unable to handle any form of representation.[55]
She described Désirée as "a French woman in every inch", who disliked and complained about everything which was not French, and "consequently, she is not liked."[56]
Bernadotte ordered the removal of everything reminding the Swedish people of the deposed royal family.
Upon the death of her spouse, she reportedly said that she would not be able to survive him. After her husband's funeral, a great conflict of some sort is reported to have taken place between the Dowager Queen and the new King. After a private dinner with the King, she withdrew to her room to write, and the very same night, she collapsed and died.[61]
Legacy
Hedwig Elizabeth Charlotte is known for her famous diary, which is a valuable historical source that describes the Swedish Royal Court between August 1775 and October 1817.
The massive diary was written in French and initially (until March 1798) in the form of letters to her close friend, Countess
The diary of Hedvig Elizabeth Charlotte is sometimes used as a valuable source of reference within Swedish historical research. It describes events both nationally and internationally, treats various subjects such as gossip, plots and social events taking place within the Swedish royal court and aristocracy as well as political subjects, and provides personal character portraits of contemporaries. It describes events such as the French Revolution of 1789, the Regicide of Gustav III in 1792, the Napoleonic Wars and the deposition of Gustav IV Adolf in 1809. The collection of Hedvig Elizabeth Charlotte also include her correspondence as well various other documents, some of which are quoted in the published diary.
Her diary has also been considered partially unreliable in its obvious personal bias on the part of the duchess against her brother-in-law King Gustav III.[63][64]
As of yet, however, her complete diary has only been published in the Swedish language.
In fiction
Hedvig Elisabeth Charlotte of Holstein-Gottorp, alongside the fictitious Johanna and
Queen Charlotte appears as a character in Annemarie Selinko's 1951 novel Désirée set up as the diary of Désirée Clary, whose husband succeeded Charlotte's husband as king. It gives the queen as a small-minded, propriety-obsessed martinet, and blames Charlotte for her decision to leave her husband and return to Paris.
Children
- Lovisa Hedvig (Riddarholm Church).
- Carl Adolf, Duke of Riddarholm Church).
Arms
References
- ^ a b Alma Söderhjelm (1945). Gustav III:s syskon (The siblings of Gustav III) Stockholm: Albert Bonniers Förlag, pp. 28-29. 23033 (Swedish)
- ISBN 978-91-554-7780-6.
- )
- ISBN 978-91-7668-964-6, p. 145 (in Swedish)
- ^ ISBN 978-91-7668-964-6, p. 84 (in Swedish)
- ^ Alma Söderhjelm (1945). Gustav III:s syskon (The siblings of Gustav III) Stockholm: Albert Bonniers Förlag. pp. 27-28. 23033 (Swedish)
- ^ Alma Söderhjelm (1945). Gustav III:s syskon (The siblings of Gustav III) Stockholm: Albert Bonniers Förlag. p. 45. 23033 (Swedish)
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- ^ ISBN 978-91-7668-964-6(in Swedish)
- ISBN 978-91-7668-964-6, p. 10 (in Swedish)
- ISBN 978-91-7668-964-6(in Swedish)
- ISBN 978-91-7668-964-6(in Swedish)
- ^ ISBN 978-91-7668-964-6, p. 5 (in Swedish)
- ISBN 978-91-7668-964-6, p. 6 (in Swedish)
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- ^ a b c Kjell Lekeby (2010). Gustaviansk mystik. Alkemister, kabbalister, magiker, andeskådare, astrologer och skattgrävare i den esoteriska kretsen kring G.A. Reuterholm, hertig Carl och hertiginnan Charlotta 1776–1803. (Gustavian Mysticism. Alchemists, Kabbalists, magicians, visionaries, astrologists and treasure hunters in the esoteric circle of G.A. Reuterholm, Duke Charles and Duchess Charlotte 1776–1803) Sala Södermalm: Vertigo Förlag p. 496 (in Swedish)
- ^ Kjell Lekeby (2010). Gustaviansk mystik. Alkemister, kabbalister, magiker, andeskådare, astrologer och skattgrävare i den esoteriska kretsen kring G.A. Reuterholm, hertig Carl och hertiginnan Charlotta 1776–1803. (Gustavian Mysticism. Alchemists, Kabbalists, magicians, visionaries, astrologists and treasure hunters in the esoteric circle of G.A. Reuterholm, Duke Charles and Duchess Charlotte 1776–1803) Sala Södermalm: Vertigo Förlag. page 500 (in Swedish)
- ^ Kjell Lekeby (2010). Gustaviansk mystik. Alkemister, kabbalister, magiker, andeskådare, astrologer och skattgrävare i den esoteriska kretsen kring G.A. Reuterholm, hertig Carl och hertiginnan Charlotta 1776–1803. (Gustavian Mysticism. Alchemists, Kabbalists, magicians, visionaries, astrologists and treasure hunters in the esoteric circle of G.A. Reuterholm, Duke Charles and Duchess Charlotte 1776–1803) Sala Södermalm: Vertigo Förlag. page 500-501(in Swedish)
- ^ Kjell Lekeby (2010). Gustaviansk mystik. Alkemister, kabbalister, magiker, andeskådare, astrologer och skattgrävare i den esoteriska kretsen kring G.A. Reuterholm, hertig Carl och hertiginnan Charlotta 1776–1803. (Gustavian Mysticism. Alchemists, Kabbalists, magicians, visionaries, astrologists and treasure hunters in the esoteric circle of G.A. Reuterholm, Duke Charles and Duchess Charlotte 1776–1803) Sala Södermalm: Vertigo Förlag. page 501-502 (in Swedish)
- ^ Kjell Lekeby (2010). Gustaviansk mystik. Alkemister, kabbalister, magiker, andeskådare, astrologer och skattgrävare i den esoteriska kretsen kring G.A. Reuterholm, hertig Carl och hertiginnan Charlotta 1776–1803. (Gustavian Mysticism. Alchemists, Kabbalists, magicians, visionaries, astrologists and treasure hunters in the esoteric circle of G.A. Reuterholm, Duke Charles and Duchess Charlotte 1776–1803) Sala Södermalm: Vertigo Förlag. (in Swedish)
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- ISBN 91-1-863652-7.
- ISBN 91-46-21000-8.
Works cited
- Charlotte Bellamy & My Hellsing, Ma chère amie, Billets de la duchesse Charlotte de Sudermanie à Sophie de Fersen, Paris, Mercure de France, 2018.
- Andersson, Ingvar. Gustavianskt (The Gustavian age) (in Swedish).
- Ingvar Andersson (1979). Gustavianskt (The Gustavian Age) (in Swedish). Fletcher & Son Ltd. ISBN 91-46-13373-9.
- Charlottas, Hedvig Elisabeth (1903) [1783–1788]. Bonde, Carl Carlson (ed.). Hedvig Elisabeth Charlottas dagbok [The diary of Hedvig Elizabeth Charlotte] (in Swedish). Vol. II 1783–1788. Translated by Carl Carlson Bonde. Stockholm: P.A. Norstedt & Söners förlag. )
- Charlottas, Hedvig Elisabeth (1936) [1800–1806]. af Klercker, Cecilia (ed.). Hedvig Elisabeth Charlottas dagbok [The diary of Hedvig Elizabeth Charlotte] (in Swedish). Vol. VII 1800–1806. Translated by Cecilia af Klercker. Stockholm: P.A. Norstedt & Söners förlag. )
- Charlottas, Hedvig Elisabeth (1939) [1807–1811]. af Klercker, Cecilia (ed.). Hedvig Elisabeth Charlottas dagbok [The diary of Hedvig Elizabeth Charlotte] (in Swedish). Vol. VIII 1807–1811. Translated by Cecilia af Klercker. Stockholm: P.A. Norstedt & Söners förlag. )