Elizabeth (Hungarian: Erzsébet) was born on 7 July 1207, in the Kingdom of Hungary; she was daughter of King Andrew II of Hungary and his wife, Gertrude of Merania. Elizabeth was brought to the court of Thuringia to be betrothed to Louis IV, Landgrave of Thuringia a future union which would reinforce political alliances between the families. In 1221, at the age of fourteen, Elizabeth married Louis; the same year he was enthroned as Landgrave, and the marriage appears to have been happy. After her marriage, she continued her charitable practises, which included spinning wool for clothing that would be given to the poor. Elizabeth's life changed on 11 September 1227, when Louis died of a fever. Elizabeth is reported to have said He is dead. He is dead. It is to me as if the whole world died today . Following her husband's death, Elizabeth made solemn vows to Konrad von Marburg (priest and inquisitor) similar to those of a nun. These included celibacy and complete obed...