After the overthrow of her father, her earliest youth was spent at
Berlin, under the case of her grandmother
Juliana, a daughter of
William of Orange, who gave her thoughts a lofty and pious direction. In her ninth or tenth year she was sent with her siblings to complete her education in
Leiden, The Netherlands, where was taught classic and modern languages, art and literature, and showed especial inclinations toward philosophical studies. She also earned the nickname "La Grecque" ("The Greek") for her impressive knowledge of classical languages. Afterwards she moved to
The Hague, where her parents kept a quiet court surrounded by a select circle of noble and educated men. There were plans to marry her to
Władysław IV Vasa, King of Poland. Being committed to the Protestant cause it is claimed that she refused to marry a Catholic king. It should be kept in mind that this episode occurred toward the end of the
Thirty Years' War pitting Protestants against Catholics.
The many misfortunes that befell her family may have confirmed her decision. In
1639 she entered into correspondence with
Anna Maria van Schurman, a learned woman, called the Dutch
Minerva. A little later she became acquainted with
Descartes, who, at her request, was made her teacher in philosophy and morals, and in
1644 he dedicated to her his
Principia. In 1649 Descartes followed an invitation of Queen
Christina of Sweden, but continued in correspondence with Elizabeth until he died in the following year. At this time Elizabeth returned to
Heidelberg with her brother
Charles Louis who was now elector, but his conjugal troubles induced her to leave Heidelberg. During a visit to an aunt at Krossen she became acquainted with Cocceius who later entered into correspondence with her and dedicated to her his exposition of the
Song of Songs. Through him she was led to the study of the
Bible.
In 1667 she became abbess of the institution of
Herford where she distinguished herself by faithfulness in the performance of her duties, by her modesty and philanthropy, and especially by her kind hospitality to all who were oppressed for the sake of conscience. In
1670 she received the followers of
Jean de Labadie, by whose piety she was attracted. Saddened by the departure of the congregation in
1672, she retained a small body of like-minded souls under her protection. The Labadiste were followed in 1676 by the
Quakers. In
1677 William Penn himself arrived together with Barclay, and remained three days, holding meetings which made a deep impression upon the countess. Her friendship with Penn lasted until her death in 1680, and he celebrated her memory in the second edition of his book
No Cross, No Crown (1682), praising her piety and virtue, her simplicity, her care as ruler, her justice, humility and charitable love.
Gottfried Leibniz visited her in
1678.
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