Duke Ernest Gottlob of Mecklenburg
Encyclopedia
Duke Ernest Gottlob Albert of Mecklenburg (27 August 1742 – 27 January 1814) was a member of the House of Mecklenburg-Strelitz. As a son of Duke Charles Louis Frederick of Mecklenburg, Ernest was an elder brother of Queen Charlotte of the United Kingdom
, who married George III in 1761. Ernest followed his sister to England, where he unsuccessfully pursued marriage with the country's largest heiress, Mary Eleanor Bowes. Enormous debt would later lead Ernest to attempt another marriage with a princess from the House of Holstein-Gottorp
, but was persuaded not to by Charlotte. Ernest eventually became the military governor of Celle
in the Electorate of Hanover
, of which his brother-in-law George III was the head.
. Ernest's younger sister Charlotte
married George III of the United Kingdom
in 1761, and Ernest followed her to London.
Ernest was described by novelist Sarah Scott
as a "very pretty sort of man, with an agreeable person." In March 1762 Ernest was said, according to Scott, to have "fallen desperately in love with" Mary Eleanor Bowes, the richest heiress in Britain and possibly the richest in Europe. Scott speculated that were the marriage to take place, Ernest would become even richer than his elder brother Adolphus Frederick IV, Duke of Mecklenburg. However, King George III disallowed the marriage, as he disapproved of his brother-in-law marrying someone not of royal blood. Charlotte Papendiek, Queen Charlotte's wardrobe keeper, wrote many years later that the match would "have made him a Prince indeed; but as he was a younger brother, it might have disturbed the harmony of the house of Mecklenburg-Strelitz." Ernest does not appear in Mary's letters, and it does not seem likely that his affection was reciprocated.
In late 1768 at Queen's House (now Buckingham Palace
), Ernest was inoculated
alongside his nephew Prince William
(the future King William IV) against smallpox
. Ernest served as a sponsor and namesake for another nephew, Prince Ernest Augustus
. Charlotte remained close to all of her German relatives while married. Like his brother Charles, Ernest benefited from Charlotte's marriage and gained promotion within the Hanoverian army, of which George III was the head. Ernest eventually became the military governor of Celle
, in Hanover, where he welcomed George III's exiled sister Queen Caroline Matilda upon the end of her marriage to Christian VII of Denmark
.
In 1782 Ernest attempted to enter into a marriage with a princess from the House of Holstein-Gottorp
in an effort to pay his numerous debts. However, both the fact that he was a third son and the uncle of an heir limited his appeal to potential dynastic alliances. Charlotte advised her brother to drop the match, as the dowry of the princess in question would not be enough to settle his debts; further, neither she nor her husband would be able to help with his finances. She hoped that Christian VII of Denmark
would provide a large dowry, as the princess was a member of his house, but concluded that no one would blame Ernest if he stopped pursing the marriage. This frank advice was later praised by their brother Charles, and Ernest never married.
Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz
Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz was the Queen consort of the United Kingdom as the wife of King George III...
, who married George III in 1761. Ernest followed his sister to England, where he unsuccessfully pursued marriage with the country's largest heiress, Mary Eleanor Bowes. Enormous debt would later lead Ernest to attempt another marriage with a princess from the House of Holstein-Gottorp
House of Holstein-Gottorp
The House of Holstein-Gottorp, a cadet branch of the Oldenburg dynasty, ruled Sweden from 1751 until 1818, and Norway from 1814 to 1818.In 1743 Adolf Frederick of Holstein-Gottorp was elected crown prince of Sweden as a Swedish concession to Russia, a strategy for achieving an acceptable peace...
, but was persuaded not to by Charlotte. Ernest eventually became the military governor of Celle
Celle
Celle is a town and capital of the district of Celle, in Lower Saxony, Germany. The town is situated on the banks of the River Aller, a tributary of the Weser and has a population of about 71,000...
in the Electorate of Hanover
Electorate of Hanover
The Electorate of Brunswick-Lüneburg was the ninth Electorate of the Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation...
, of which his brother-in-law George III was the head.
Life
Ernest Gottlob Albert was the seventh child and third son of Duke Charles Louis Frederick of Mecklenburg and his wife Princess Elizabeth Albertine of Saxe-HildburghausenPrincess Elizabeth Albertine of Saxe-Hildburghausen
Princess Elizabeth Albertine of Saxe-Hildburghausen was a Duchess consort of Mecklenburg-Strelitz. She served as regent for her son after the death of her spouse.- Biography :...
. Ernest's younger sister Charlotte
Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz
Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz was the Queen consort of the United Kingdom as the wife of King George III...
married George III of the United Kingdom
George III of the United Kingdom
George III was King of Great Britain and King of Ireland from 25 October 1760 until the union of these two countries on 1 January 1801, after which he was King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland until his death...
in 1761, and Ernest followed her to London.
Ernest was described by novelist Sarah Scott
Sarah Scott
Sarah Scott was an English novelist, translator, and social reformer. Her father, Matthew Robinson, and her mother, Elizabeth Robinson, were both from distinguished families, and Sarah was one of nine children who survived to adulthood...
as a "very pretty sort of man, with an agreeable person." In March 1762 Ernest was said, according to Scott, to have "fallen desperately in love with" Mary Eleanor Bowes, the richest heiress in Britain and possibly the richest in Europe. Scott speculated that were the marriage to take place, Ernest would become even richer than his elder brother Adolphus Frederick IV, Duke of Mecklenburg. However, King George III disallowed the marriage, as he disapproved of his brother-in-law marrying someone not of royal blood. Charlotte Papendiek, Queen Charlotte's wardrobe keeper, wrote many years later that the match would "have made him a Prince indeed; but as he was a younger brother, it might have disturbed the harmony of the house of Mecklenburg-Strelitz." Ernest does not appear in Mary's letters, and it does not seem likely that his affection was reciprocated.
In late 1768 at Queen's House (now Buckingham Palace
Buckingham Palace
Buckingham Palace, in London, is the principal residence and office of the British monarch. Located in the City of Westminster, the palace is a setting for state occasions and royal hospitality...
), Ernest was inoculated
Inoculation
Inoculation is the placement of something that will grow or reproduce, and is most commonly used in respect of the introduction of a serum, vaccine, or antigenic substance into the body of a human or animal, especially to produce or boost immunity to a specific disease...
alongside his nephew Prince William
William IV of the United Kingdom
William IV was King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and of Hanover from 26 June 1830 until his death...
(the future King William IV) against smallpox
Smallpox
Smallpox was an infectious disease unique to humans, caused by either of two virus variants, Variola major and Variola minor. The disease is also known by the Latin names Variola or Variola vera, which is a derivative of the Latin varius, meaning "spotted", or varus, meaning "pimple"...
. Ernest served as a sponsor and namesake for another nephew, Prince Ernest Augustus
Ernest Augustus I of Hanover
Ernest Augustus I was King of Hanover from 20 June 1837 until his death. He was the fifth son and eighth child of George III, who reigned in both the United Kingdom and Hanover...
. Charlotte remained close to all of her German relatives while married. Like his brother Charles, Ernest benefited from Charlotte's marriage and gained promotion within the Hanoverian army, of which George III was the head. Ernest eventually became the military governor of Celle
Celle
Celle is a town and capital of the district of Celle, in Lower Saxony, Germany. The town is situated on the banks of the River Aller, a tributary of the Weser and has a population of about 71,000...
, in Hanover, where he welcomed George III's exiled sister Queen Caroline Matilda upon the end of her marriage to Christian VII of Denmark
Christian VII of Denmark
Christian VII was King of Denmark and Norway and Duke of Schleswig and Holstein from 1766 until his death. He was the son of Danish King Frederick V and his first consort Louisa, daughter of King George II of Great Britain....
.
In 1782 Ernest attempted to enter into a marriage with a princess from the House of Holstein-Gottorp
House of Holstein-Gottorp
The House of Holstein-Gottorp, a cadet branch of the Oldenburg dynasty, ruled Sweden from 1751 until 1818, and Norway from 1814 to 1818.In 1743 Adolf Frederick of Holstein-Gottorp was elected crown prince of Sweden as a Swedish concession to Russia, a strategy for achieving an acceptable peace...
in an effort to pay his numerous debts. However, both the fact that he was a third son and the uncle of an heir limited his appeal to potential dynastic alliances. Charlotte advised her brother to drop the match, as the dowry of the princess in question would not be enough to settle his debts; further, neither she nor her husband would be able to help with his finances. She hoped that Christian VII of Denmark
Christian VII of Denmark
Christian VII was King of Denmark and Norway and Duke of Schleswig and Holstein from 1766 until his death. He was the son of Danish King Frederick V and his first consort Louisa, daughter of King George II of Great Britain....
would provide a large dowry, as the princess was a member of his house, but concluded that no one would blame Ernest if he stopped pursing the marriage. This frank advice was later praised by their brother Charles, and Ernest never married.
Titles and styles
- 27 August 1742 – 27 January 1814: His Serene Highness Duke Ernest of Mecklenburg