Elizabeth of Bohemia

Elizabeth of Bohemia (1596-1662) was a princess of the Palatinate in Germany and the eldest daughter of Elector Palatine Frederick V and Elizabeth Stuart, who was the daughter of King James VI of Scotland and I of England. She married Frederick V, who became the King of Bohemia, in 1613. Her husband's reign was brief, lasting only one winter in 1619-1620, as he was defeated at the Battle of White Mountain and was forced to flee the country. The couple spent the rest of their lives in exile, living in the Netherlands, England, and finally in Germany. During her exile, Elizabeth became known for her intellect and political acumen, and she corresponded with prominent thinkers and philosophers of her time, such as René Descartes. She also maintained an active interest in politics, particularly in the affairs of her family and the Protestant cause in Europe. In 1648, she was involved in negotiations that led to the Peace of Westphalia, which ended the Thirty Years War in Europe. Elizabeth was also known for her devotion to charity and the arts. She founded a hospital in the Netherlands and supported artists and musicians, including the composer Henry Purcell. She was also a prolific writer, penning letters, poetry, and philosophical treatises. She died in 1662 in her homeland, the Palatinate. Elizabeth is remembered as a woman of great intelligence, courage, and charity, and as a symbol of the struggles and triumphs of the Protestant cause in Europe.