St Elizabeth of Thuringia, Princess Elizabeth as she was born,
was the daughter of King Andrew II of Hungary. She became known
early in her life for her kindness to the less fortunate. She was
married at the age of 14 to the Landgrave of Thuringia, Ludwig IV.
The marriage had been arranged for political reasons, but it was
also a love match, and the couple lived in great content with one
another for six years; their home was at the Wartburg castle, near
Eisenach, and they had three children.
Then, in 1227, Ludwig went to join the crusaders assembling in Apulia, and died suddenly at Otranto. We are told that when the news reached Elizabeth she ran through the castle shrieking crazily. What followed is a matter of some uncertainty. It is commonly said that, in the depth of winter, with a baby at her breast, her brother-in-law turned her out of Wartburg castle.
In any case, having provided for her children, a few months later she formally renounced the world, put on a dress of the third order of St Francis, and devoted herself to the care of the poor and sick at Marburg in Hesse.
Elizabeth had also put herself under the direction of her confessor, Master Conrad of Marburg, a learned and able man but, on the kindest and most simple showing, one of deplorable insensitivity.
Popular legend says that Elizabeth was carrying loaves of bread in her pinafore for the needy when Master Conrad stopped her. When he demanded to know what she was carrying, she replied 'roses'. When she unfolded her pinafore, the loaves had indeed turned into roses.
Conrad overshadowed the closing years of St Elizabeth's short life. His treatment of her was ruthless, at times brutal, and she admitted how much she feared him. But his methods did not break her spirit: she was humble and obedient, and bowed before every storm; after it passed she straightened up, strong and unhurt.
Until her health failed Elizabeth was tireless in serving the wants of those in need; the princess who made garments for them went fishing to get them food - she has ever been one of the most loved saints of the German people. Marburg became one of the great pilgrimage centres. Elizabeth's tomb is in the cathedral which bears her name.
Elizabeth of Hungary was born at Bratislava 1207 and died at Marburg 1231. She was canonised 1235. Her name day falls in November and she is the patron saint of bakers and charitable institutions. Our Hospice in Ipswich is named after Saint Elizabeth.