Hello, and welcome back to This Week in History, a column where I go over the history that stands out from the textbook every week. This week, Feb. 9 to Feb. 15, is chock full of wars and tragedies as usual, although it has the distinction of marking a unique holiday: Valentine’s Day.
As the history of Valentine’s Day has been covered in this column not once or twice, but at least on three different occasions, it’s slim pickings. The story of Saint Valentine getting his head chopped off is exhilarating, yet it’s a tale almost as old as time, clocking in at 1,755 years before the present.
So, what if we take the love stories in a little bit of a different direction and instead focus on royalty, gift-giving and the intrigue of excess?
It all starts with the story of the “Winter Queen.” Born amongst a wave of religious turmoil in August 1596, the young queen-to-be, Elizabeth Stuart, possessed a royal lineage at a time when having royal blood was naught but a death sentence.
First, the division between Catholics and Protestants ran deep. Many of those living throughout the Holy Roman Empire and England only swore allegiance to those of their faith and didn’t just hate the other sect; they wouldn’t hesitate to kill any religious dissident—unless, of course, they converted.
Lady Elizabeth grew up during this period of bloodshed now known as the Thirty Years’ War, though that name arose later. In reality, the Thirty Years’ War really should be known as the period of “30 years of wars.” Wars in France and Spain over succession erupted alongside struggles between the Dutch and Portuguese. Meanwhile, Sweden and Denmark even had to get in on the action during the Torstenson War. Likewise, the Holy Roman Empire, an already loose association, practically imploded.
As hectic of a time as this period was, Lady Elizabeth did receive a solid education during her childhood, though not in Latin, as her father believed it “had the unfortunate effect of making women more cunning.”
Born to lead as a queen at perhaps the worst time ever and forced into her role as a bride due to the systems of the day, Lady Elizabeth still proved to be capable and adaptable. But while her parents, James VI and I (James I as king of Scotland, later retitled James 1 after the union of the Scottish and English crowns), and Queen Anne of Denmark had successful reigns, there is a reason why Lady Elizabeth is known as the “Winter Queen.” But first, this week in history, the young princess is to be married.
The wedding plans arose as Lady Elizabeth was set to marry Frederick V of the Palatinate. Frederick was a leader of the Protestant Union, a faction of protestant states in the Holy Roman Empire and was also the Elector Palatine of the Rhine region. This position put him firmly against the recently ousted Catholic rulers of several regions in Germany. This marriage was a lifeline for Frederick as King James, Elizabeth’s father, was a crucial Protestant ally. Should the tides turn against Frederick’s domain, he could trust James for support.
Yet, the wedding plans were foiled by the death of the young Prince Henry in 1612, the heir to the throne. His passing was punctuated by a period of grief and morning, subduing the cautious optimism felt in the build up to Elizabeth’s wedding.
Henry’s death also led many in England to become wary of sending Lady Elizabeth off to Germany, as this marriage would now remove another one of the king’s descendants from England. Nevertheless, plans continued to unfold in early February 1613.
Couriers and attendants rushed to get linens and silks for the queen, while an embroidered dress was assembled for the queen by David Murray and Edward Hillyard. Meanwhile, Whitehall Palace and a banquet hall were prepared for the festivities. Likewise, a remarkable example of preserved history comes in the form of detailed account books covering the wedding expenses from some of those in attendance.
James Nisbet was tasked with giving the city of Edinburgh’s gift of 10,000 merks — a Scottish silver coin — to the princess, and his story provides a glimpse into London at this time. After buying new clothes due to many people politely suggesting that he change his linen outfit, on Feb. 12, 1613, Nisbet went to get a haircut. What a nice little detail for the historical record.
While Nisbet had his hair trimmed, the royal family was preparing for an extravagant affair. While modern weddings vary from quick and quiet to several day festivals, this wedding certainly takes the cake as a true masterpiece.
What better way to celebrate love than some fireworks? Several royal gunners were employed to construct firework shows with elaborate displays of fire on barges built in the Thames. As is the case with most parties though, sometimes things can be a bit awkward. According to the writer John Chamberlain, the most hyped final display underperformed and left the crowd a little disappointed.
Afterwards, on Feb. 13, why not celebrate a lifelong commitment to love by watching men fight each other in a giant mock naval battle? It’s true: A large-scale battle took place between representations of Turkish and Christian boats. To nobody’s surprise — but certainly their delight — the English won the mock engagement, and the costumed “Turkish soldiers” were brought to King James as a display of English success.
Despite the firing of 22 cannons and the destruction of a wooden mock-castle tower, apparently King James wasn’t very pleased. A debt lingered on for the performance for several years.
With fireworks and mock battles concluded, it was finally time for the wedding on Feb. 14, 1613. Lavish tapestries and decorations warmed the Whitehall Palace chapel. A long wedding train of ladies, all in white satin, followed the princess as she entered the chapel.
Among those in attendance were the Catholic Lord Montagu, whose ornate clothing showed that perhaps the religious divides could be suppressed in an act of loyalty to the king despite his daughter’s marriage to a Protestant.
Nevertheless, despite a comfortable and happy relationship — a lucky trait for a planned marriage — Frederick and Elizabeth’s return to the Palatinate and eventually Bohemia, would prove that perhaps mock battles shouldn’t be celebratory when real battles prove so fateful.
The “Winter Queen” would only rule as a queen alongside her husband for one year — one winter. Her father, King James, despite a lavish celebration, refused to send support to Frederick as he attempted to hold onto Bohemia. His motivations were political. Yet, Frederick’s motivations even in defeat were perhaps quite clear: He loved Elizabeth. They lived together in exile until Frederick’s passing.
Elizabeth’s story continues on long after Frederick’s death in 1632, but that’s for another week in history. For more information on the fascinating couple and their failure to maintain a Protestant rule in Bohemia (which returned to Catholic rulers for nearly 300 years following Frederick’s defeat), check out the Royal Museums Greenwich online, and a great video on the “Winter Queen” by “Rebecca Pattison the History Buff” on YouTube. Have a lovely week of love!