Monday, September 8, 2014

Louise of the Rhine

The niece of Charles I and the sister of the dashing Prince Rupert, Princess Louise was the subject of a wonderful novel called The Bride by Margaret Irwin. From History and Other Thoughts:
Born at the Hague in the early hours of the morning of 8 April 1622, Princess Louise was the sixth child and second daughter of Frederick V, Elector Palatine and his wife, Elizabeth Stuart. The baby, which was christened eight days later in the Klooster-Kerke, was named Louise after her paternal grandmother and Hollandine as a homage to Holland, which had welcomed the couple in their exile. The country also gifted the newborn princess with a life pension of two hundred pounds a year.

Despite the shortage of money, Louise knew how to have fun. She, like her siblings, loved sports, hunting, masquerades, balls, and just generally having a good time. But Louise was also clever and, although not a classical beauty, very charming. According to Carole Oman, "her nose, had it not belonged to a princess, must have been termed impertinent, but she managed to make people think her a beauty, for her auburn hair and eager expression were highly attractive. In colouring she resembled her little brother Philip, but in gait and carriage she was very like Rupert." Rupert was her elder brother and the member of her family Louise was the closest to. (Read more.)
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1 comment:

Gio said...

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