Maria of Austria, Holy Roman Empress facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Maria of Austria |
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Portrait, 1557
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| Holy Roman Empress; Queen consort of Germany and Bohemia; Archduchess consort of Austria |
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| Tenure | 25 July 1564 – 12 October 1576 |
| Queen consort of Hungary | |
| Tenure | 8 September 1563 – 12 October 1576 |
| Coronation | 9 September 1563 |
| Born | 21 June 1528 Madrid, Spain |
| Died | 26 February 1603 (aged 74) Convent of Las Descalzas Reales, Madrid, Spain |
| Burial | Convent of Las Descalzas Reales, Madrid, Spain |
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| House | Habsburg |
| Father | Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor |
| Mother | Isabella of Portugal |
| Religion | Roman Catholicism |
Maria of Austria (born June 21, 1528 – died February 26, 1603) was a very important royal figure. She was the empress and queen of Maximilian II, Holy Roman Emperor. He was the ruler of Bohemia and Hungary. Maria also served as a regent of Spain. This meant she ruled the country when her father, Emperor Charles V, was away. She was one of the most powerful empresses of the Holy Roman Empire.
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Maria's Early Life and Family
Maria was born in Madrid, Spain. Her parents were Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor, who was also King of Spain, and Isabella of Portugal.
She spent most of her childhood in Toledo and Valladolid. She grew up with her siblings, Philip and Joanna. Even though their father was often away, they had a strong family bond. Maria and her brother Philip shared similar strong beliefs. They kept these views throughout their lives.
Maria as Regent of Spain
On September 15, 1548, when Maria was twenty years old, she married her first cousin, Archduke Maximilian. They had sixteen children during their twenty-eight-year marriage.
Maria and Maximilian ruled Spain as regents from 1548 to 1551. This happened while her father, Emperor Charles V, was busy with matters in Germany. Maria stayed at the Spanish court until August 1551. In 1552, she and Maximilian moved to Vienna to live at Maximilian's father's court.
Later, in 1558, Maria returned to Madrid. She again acted as regent of Spain. This was during the time her brother, now King Philip II, was away. She served as regent from 1558 to 1561.
Maria as Holy Roman Empress
After returning to Germany, Maria's husband, Maximilian, became the ruler. He took over from his father, Ferdinand I, after his death. Maximilian ruled Germany, Bohemia, and Hungary from 1564 until his death in 1576.
Maria was a very devoted Catholic. She often disagreed with her husband about his views on religious tolerance. Maximilian was known for being more open to different religions.
During her time in Austria, Maria felt uncomfortable in a country that was not fully Catholic. She surrounded herself with a group of strict Catholic friends and advisors. Many of them she had brought with her from Spain. Her court was set up in a Spanish way. Her Spanish chief lady-in-waiting, Maria de Requenes, organized it. Among her closest friends was her Spanish lady-in-waiting, Margarita de Cardona.
Maria as Empress Dowager
In 1576, Maximilian died. Maria remained at the Imperial Court for six years after his death. She had a strong influence over her sons. These included Rudolf and Matthias, who would both become emperors.
Maria returned to Spain in 1582. She took her youngest surviving child, Archduchess Margaret, with her. Margaret was supposed to marry Philip II of Spain. Philip had lost his fourth wife, Maria's oldest daughter Anna, in 1580.
However, Margaret decided not to marry. Instead, she became a nun, joining the Poor Clares. Maria was very happy to live in "a country without heretics" (meaning, a country that was mostly Catholic). She influenced many events at the Spanish Court. Eventually, she settled in the Convent of Las Descalzas Reales in Madrid. She lived there until her death in 1603.
Maria was a supporter of the famous Spanish composer Tomás Luis de Victoria. He wrote a great Requiem Mass in 1603 for her funeral. This piece is considered one of his best works. Maria, along with her daughter Margaret of the Cross and Queen Margaret (wife of her grandson/nephew, Philip III of Spain), formed a powerful Catholic group at the Spanish court. They were successful in convincing Philip III to provide money to Ferdinand from 1600 onwards.
Maria's Children
Maria and Maximilian had sixteen children. Only five of them were still alive when Maria died:
- Anna of Austria (November 2, 1549 – October 26, 1580). She married her uncle Philip II of Spain.
- Ferdinand of Austria (March 28, 1551 – June 16, 1552).
- Rudolf II, Holy Roman Emperor (July 18, 1552 – January 20, 1612).
- Archduke Ernest of Austria (June 15, 1553 – February 12, 1595). He served as a governor in the Low Countries.
- Elisabeth of Austria (1554-1592) (July 5, 1554 – January 22, 1592). She married Charles IX of France.
- Maria of Austria (July 27, 1555 – June 28, 1556).
- Matthias, Holy Roman Emperor (February 24, 1557 – March 20, 1619).
- A son (born and died October 20, 1557).
- Maximilian III, Archduke of Austria (October 12, 1558 – November 2, 1618). He was a grandmaster of the Teutonic Order.
- Albert VII, Archduke of Austria (November 15, 1559 – July 13, 1621). He also served as a governor in the Low Countries.
- Archduke Wenceslaus of Austria (March 9, 1561 – September 22, 1578).
- Frederick of Austria (June 21, 1562 – January 25, 1563).
- Maria of Austria (February 19, 1564 – March 26, 1564).
- Charles of Austria (September 26, 1565 – May 23, 1566).
- Archduchess Margaret of Austria (1567–1633) (January 25, 1567 – July 5, 1633). She became a nun.
- Eleanor of Austria (November 4, 1568 – March 12, 1580).
See also
In Spanish: María de Austria y Portugal para niños
