Mechthild of the Palatinate (1418–1482) was a princess and major patroness of the literary arts in the 15th century. Born to Ludwig III, Elector Palatine, she was married by the age of 15 to

Ludwig I, Count of Württemberg-Urach Ludwig I (before 31 October 1412 – 23/24(?) September 1450, in Urach), Count of Württemberg. He was a son of count Eberhard IV and Henriette of Montbéliard. He reigned from 1419 until 1450. After the death of his father count Eberhard IV, ...

. Five children came out of the marriage, but by age 31 she became a widow. She was remarried two years later to the Archduke Albert VI of Austria. After he died in 1463, she retired to her court at

Rottenburg am Neckar Rottenburg am Neckar (; until 10 July 1964 only ''Rottenburg''; Swabian: ''Raodaburg'') is a medium-sized town in the administrative district (''Landkreis'') of Tübingen in Baden-Württemberg, Germany. It lies about 50 kilometres (31 miles) s ...

. This court became a center of flourishing literary culture up until her death. Some of the literary artists who she supported showed their appreciation for her through the dedication of literary works. After their initial meeting in 1460, Niklas van Wyle dedicated four of his translations to her. Amongst many things, she was also known as a bibliophile. Jakob Püterich von Reichertshausen wrote a poem for her called ''Letter of Honor''. In the poem, he lists and compares all the books that he and she had collected in their individual libraries. She had sent him a list of 94 of her books in advance of this poems creation for his use. Many of those in her possession, he had not even heard of before. In collaboration with her son, Count Eberhard the Bearded of Württemberg, who was married to an Italian princess of the

Gonzaga family ) , type = Noble house , country = , estates = Ducal Palace (Mantua) Ducal Palace (Nevers) , titles = * Prince of Arches * Duke of Montferrat * Duke of Mantua * Duke of Guastalla * Duke of Nevers * Duke ...

Barbara Gonzaga Barbara of Brandenburg (1422 – 7 November 1481) was a Marchioness consort of Mantua, married in 1433 to Ludovico III Gonzaga, Marquis of Mantua. She was referred to as a ''virago'' because of her strong character and forceful nature, and se ...

, she founded the

University of Freiburg The University of Freiburg (colloquially german: Uni Freiburg), officially the Albert Ludwig University of Freiburg (german: Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg), is a public university, public research university located in Freiburg im Breisg ...

, in

Freiburg im Breisgau Freiburg im Breisgau (; abbreviated as Freiburg i. Br. or Freiburg i. B.; Low Alemannic German, Low Alemannic: ''Friburg im Brisgau''), commonly referred to as Freiburg, is an independent city in Baden-Württemberg, Germany. With a population o ...

, in 1457. She later co-founded the humanistic

University of Tübingen The University of Tübingen, officially the Eberhard Karl University of Tübingen (german: Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen; la, Universitas Eberhardina Carolina), is a public research university located in the city of Tübingen, Baden-Wü ...

in 1477. She died on 22 August 1482 and was buried at the Charterhouse of Güterstein.

Issue

Ludwig I and Mechthild of the Palatinate had the following children: *Mechthild (aft 1436 – 6 June 1495), married since 1454 with

Louis II, Landgrave of Hesse Louis II of Hesse (german: Ludwig) (7 September 1438 – 8 November 1471), called Louis the Frank, was the Landgrave of Lower Hesse from 1458 - 1471. He was the son of Louis I, Landgrave of Hesse and Anna of Saxony. He married Mechthild, da ...

(1438–1471) *

Ludwig II Ludwig II (Ludwig Otto Friedrich Wilhelm; 25 August 1845 – 13 June 1886) was King of Bavaria from 1864 until his death in 1886. He is sometimes called the Swan King or ('the Fairy Tale King'). He also held the titles of Count Palatine of the ...

(3 April 1439 – 3 November 1457), since 1450 Count of Württemberg-Urach *Andreas (* 11.4 und † 19.5.1443) * Eberhard V (11 December 1445 – 24 February 1496), since 1457 count of Württemberg-Urach, since 1495 Duke Eberhard I. of Württemberg *Elisabeth (4 October 1447 – 3 June 1505), married since 1470 with

Johann II of Nassau-Saarbrücken Johann, typically a male given name, is the German form of ''Iohannes'', which is the Latin form of the Greek name ''Iōánnēs'' (), itself derived from Hebrew name '' Yochanan'' () in turn from its extended form (), meaning "Yahweh is Gracious ...

Saarbrücken Saarbrücken (; french: link=no, Sarrebruck ; Rhine Franconian: ''Saarbrigge'' ; lb, Saarbrécken ; lat, Saravipons, lit=The Bridge(s) across the Saar river) is the capital and largest city of the state of Saarland, Germany. Saarbrücken is S ...

(1423–1472), and since 1474 with Heinrich dem Älteren, Count zu Stolberg (1436–1511)

References

External links

{{Authority control 1418 births 1482 deaths German princesses German bibliophiles University of Tübingen University of Freiburg House of Wittelsbach