Eleanor de' Medici facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Eleanor de' Medici |
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| Duchess consort of Mantua and Montferrat | |||||
| Tenure | 14 August 1587 – 9 September 1611 | ||||
| Born | 28 February 1567 Florence, Republic of Florence (now in Italy) |
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| Died | 9 September 1611 (aged 44) Cavriana, Duchy of Mantua (now in Italy) |
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| Spouse | Vincenzo I Gonzaga | ||||
| Issue | Francesco IV, Duke of Mantua Ferdinando I, Duke of Mantua Margherita, Duchess of Lorraine Vincenzo II, Duke of Mantua Eleonora, Holy Roman Empress |
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| House | Medici | ||||
| Father | Francesco I de' Medici, Grand Duke of Tuscany | ||||
| Mother | Joanna of Austria | ||||
Eleanor de' Medici (born February 28, 1567 – died September 9, 1611) was an important Italian noblewoman. She became the Duchess of Mantua when she married Vincenzo I Gonzaga. Eleanor also served as a temporary ruler (called a regent) of Mantua several times. This happened in 1595, 1597, 1601, and 1602. She stepped in when her husband Vincenzo was away, either fighting in wars or seeking medical help. Eleanor was the daughter of Francesco I de' Medici, Grand Duke of Tuscany and Joanna of Austria, Grand Duchess of Tuscany. She was also the older sister of Marie de' Medici, who later became the Queen of France.
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Early Life of Eleanor de' Medici
Eleanor was born Eleonora in Florence, Tuscany, Italy. Her birthday was February 28, 1567. She was the first child of Francesco I de' Medici and Joanna of Austria. Her baptism was a big event. A Cardinal performed the ceremony. It was celebrated with hunting trips and parties.
Childhood and Family
When Eleanor was young, people thought she might marry Francis, Duke of Anjou. He was the son of the King of France. In 1570, there was a scare that Eleanor had smallpox. Luckily, it was just a fever, and she got better. Her parents and grandfather sent her holy water to help her recover.
In 1574, when Eleanor was seven, her grandfather died. Her father then became the Grand Duke of Tuscany. Four years later, in 1578, Eleanor's mother passed away. Her father later married Bianca Cappello. Eleanor had several siblings. However, most of them died when they were children. Her sister, Marie de' Medici, became the Queen of France. Marie was the mother of Louis XIII of France. Another sister, Anna, died at age 14. Eleanor wrote to her father, asking him to visit Anna. Sadly, Anna died the same day.
Becoming Duchess of Mantua
Eleanor de' Medici married Vincenzo I Gonzaga on April 29, 1584. This was Vincenzo's second marriage. The celebrations for their marriage contract began on April 4, 1584. Bells rang and fireworks lit up the sky in Mantua. Eight days later, the couple traveled to Florence. There, they met Eleanor's father and stepmother. Vincenzo even kept a portrait of Eleanor by his bed.
Grand Wedding Celebrations
On May 3, 1584, Eleanor arrived in Mantua. She came by boat and was met by many important people. She then changed into a beautiful, jeweled silver dress. Her entry into the city was grand. She rode in a gilded carriage pulled by four white horses. The city welcomed her with loud salutes from guns and cannons. She was joined by soldiers, noblemen, and noblewomen.
After arriving at the Castello di San Giorgio, she visited a church. Then she went to the Ducal Palace. There, she was greeted by Vincenzo's parents, the Duke and Duchess of Mantua. After a meal, she went to Palazzo Te. She was visited by more important Cardinals and Dukes.
Life as Duchess Consort
As Duchess, Eleanor ordered portraits of her deceased mother and siblings. She wanted to remember them. On May 7, 1586, Eleanor gave birth to her first child. It was a son named Francesco. Her father sent her plums during her pregnancy. The next year, Vincenzo's father died. This made Vincenzo the Duke of Mantua, and Eleanor became his Duchess consort.
That same year, she had another son, Ferdinando. She had a difficult pregnancy with him. Over the next few years, Eleanor had more children. She had a son, Guglielmo Domenico, who died young. Then came a daughter, Margherita, in 1591. Margherita later married a Duke in Lorraine. In 1594, another son, Vincenzo, was born. He later became Duke after his older brothers. Eleanor also had a miscarriage in 1596. In 1598, she had a second daughter, also named Eleanor. This younger Eleanor later married the Holy Roman Emperor.
In October 1600, Eleanor attended her sister Marie's wedding. Marie married Henry IV of France. In 1601, Queen Marie had her first child, a son. This son would become Louis XIII of France. Marie chose her sister Eleanor to be the child's godmother.
In 1602, Vincenzo traveled to Flanders for medical help. Eleanor took charge of the duchy while he was away. She sent updates to her family about her role. The famous scientist Galileo visited the Mantuan court in 1603-1604. He hoped to get a job there. He was offered a salary, but he and Vincenzo could not agree on the terms. Instead, Vincenzo gave Galileo a gold chain and silver dishes. In 1606, Eleanor traveled with her daughter Margherita to Lorraine. They went for Margherita's marriage to Duke Henry.
Later Years and Passing
Eleanor became ill in early 1611. It was a long illness, but she seemed to get better by April. She went to a palace outside the city for two months. It was a beautiful place with gardens and fresh water. As the weather got hotter, Eleanor moved to a villa on a hilltop in Cavriana. There, her health quickly got worse. She passed away on September 9, 1611, at the age of forty-four. Her husband, Duke Vincenzo, was away when she died. He passed away only one year later, in 1612.
Funeral Arrangements
After her death, Eleanor's body was placed in a lead casket. This was put inside a wooden casket. Many priests from nearby towns accompanied her body. She lay in state for two days at a church in Cavriana. Then, her body was taken to Mantua. It was carried on a cart covered in black fabric. Six horses, also in black, pulled the cart. Twelve priests on horseback and twelve attendants with torches followed. Many carriages with Gonzaga family members and other carts followed too.
Eleanor's body was placed in the Corte Vecchia. It waited there for Duke Vincenzo to return. When Vincenzo came back to Mantua on October 3, 1611, plans were made for Eleanor's funeral. It was held at the Sant'Andrea church. Her body was placed on a beautiful platform with many candles. Priests and nuns from the city's churches attended. The funeral was a very formal event. Many important people and groups from the city joined the procession.
See also
- Descendants of Cosimo I de Medici
- Marie de' Medici
- House of Medici
- The Gonzaga Family in Adoration of the Holy Trinity
Images for kids
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Marriage of Eleanor de' Medici and Duke Vincenzo I Gonzaga
