Elizabeth Craven facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Elizabeth Craven
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Elizabeth, Baroness Craven, later Margravine of Ansbach, circa 1780–1783, by Ozias Humphry
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| Born | Elizabeth Berkeley December 17, 1750 London |
| Died | 13 January 1828 (aged 77) Posilipo |
| Occupation | Writer |
| Nationality | British |
| Period | 1778–1826 |
| Subject | Travel writing, drama, memoirs |
| Spouse |
William Craven, 6th Baron Craven
(m. 1767; died 1791)Charles Alexander, Margrave of Brandenburg-Ansbach
(m. 1791; died 1806) |
| Children | 7, including William Craven, 1st Earl of Craven |
| Relatives |
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Elizabeth, Princess Berkeley (born Lady Elizabeth Berkeley; 17 December 1750 – 13 January 1828) was a British writer and playwright. She was also known as Elizabeth Craven, Baroness Craven, and later as the Margravine of Brandenburg-Ansbach. She is best known for her travel books, which shared her adventures. Elizabeth was the third child of the 4th Earl of Berkeley. She was born in London.
Her Early Life and Writings
Elizabeth started her writing career by creating short plays and stories. Many of these were performed in London. She knew famous writers like Samuel Johnson and James Boswell. She also became good friends with Horace Walpole, who helped publish some of her first works.
Her writings included:
- Light plays called farces
- Pantomimes (a type of musical play)
- Fables (short stories with a moral lesson)
Very few of the musical pieces she composed still exist today.
Her Life and Travels
Elizabeth's life was quite eventful. She married William Craven, 6th Baron Craven on 30 May 1767. They had seven children together. After 13 years of marriage, they separated in 1780.
After separating from her first husband, Elizabeth moved to France. She traveled a lot across Europe. She formed a close partnership with Charles Alexander, Margrave of Brandenburg-Ansbach. While living at his court in Ansbach, Elizabeth started an amateur theater group. A composer named Maria Theresia Ahlefeldt was one of its members.
Charles Alexander's first wife passed away in Germany on 18 February 1791. Elizabeth's husband, William Craven, died in Switzerland on 26 September 1791. After both their spouses had passed, Elizabeth and Charles Alexander married in Lisbon on 30 October 1791. They then moved to England.
Life in England
When they lived in England, Elizabeth and Charles Alexander were often called the "Margrave and Margravine of Brandenburg-Ansbach." However, some people in society, including King George III and Queen Marie-Antoinette, did not fully approve of their marriage. Despite this, they lived a grand life in Hammersmith, London, and at Benham Park in Berkshire.
On 20 February 1801, Elizabeth received a special title from the last Holy Roman Emperor, Francis II. She was given the title of "Princess Berkeley." This was a morganatic title, which meant she did not share her husband's full royal rank or his family's inheritance rights.
Charles Alexander was the last ruler of his family line in Ansbach. Since he had no children, he gave up his right to rule the regions of Ansbach and Bayreuth. In return, he received a yearly payment of 300,000 guilders (an old currency) from the King of Prussia.
Later Years and Legacy
After Charles Alexander passed away in 1806, Elizabeth moved to Naples, Italy. She died there in 1828 and was buried in the English Cemetery in Naples.
Her connection to the Hammersmith area in London is still remembered today. Two roads there are named after her: Margravine Gardens and Margravine Road. There is also a special wall monument dedicated to her in St Mary's Church, Scarborough.
Elizabeth's children were:
- William, who became a Major-general in the Army.
- Henry Augustus Berkeley (born 1776), also a Major-general in the Army.
- Keppel Richard (born 1779).
- Elizabeth, who married John Edward Maddocks.
- Maria Margaret, who married William Molyneux, 2nd Earl of Sefton.
- Georgiana.
- Arabella, who married General the Hon. Frederick St John.
