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Anna of Austria (1549-1580)
Encyclopedia
Anna of Austria was Queen consort of Spain and Portugal by virtue of her marriage to King Philip II of Spain
.
Maximilian II
and Maria of Spain
. Her maternal grandparents were Holy Roman Emperor Charles V
and Isabella of Portugal
, and her paternal grandparents were Holy Roman Emperor Ferdinand I
and Anna of Bohemia and Hungary
. The mother of both Charles V and Ferdinand I was Joanna of Castile
, known as Joanne the Mad (Juana la Loca), a the daughter of King Ferdinand II of Aragon
and Queen Isabella I of Castile
. Anna was born in Spain, but lived in Vienna
from the age of four. She had many other siblings, two of whom became the Holy Roman Emperors (Rudolf II and Matthias). Among her sisters was Queen Elisabeth of France, wife of King Charles IX of France
.
of Hungary was postponed because Anna was sick. She received a Catholic education even though her father was sympathetic to Lutheranism.
As the eldest daughter of the Holy Roman Emperor, Anna was a desirable candidate for marriage at the European courts. Her parents thought of a Spanish marriage to strengthen links between the Austrian and Spanish Habsburg families. Initially she had her cousin Don Carlos of Spain
in mind, the only son of her maternal uncle Philip II of Spain
. These plans were shattered in 1568 when Don Carlos died. Plans for a Spanish marriage were revived when Philip's third wife, Elisabeth, died in childbirth, also in 1568. As a result, Philip was left a widower with two young daughters. Philip had been married three times before: first to his double first cousin Maria Manuela, Princess of Portugal, secondly to his first cousin, once removed Mary I of England
, and thirdly to the aforementioned Elisabeth of Valois
. Philip was now looking for his fourth wife, since he had no male heir since Don Carlos died. In February 1569, Anna's engagement to her uncle Philip II was announced and in May 1570 they married by proxy
.
Anna traveled from Austria to Spain in the autumn of 1570 accompanied by her brothers Albert and Wenzel
. They traveled through the Netherlands, where Anna was accosted by friends and relatives of Floris Montigny, the younger brother of the executed Count of Horn. Montigny had been imprisoned in Spain since 1567. Now that King Philip had entered into a new marriage, Montigny's family and friends dared to hope for leniency. They received a promise from the future queen that she would do her utmost to free Montigny. On 3 October Anna arrived on Spanish soil, but before she could reach the king, Floris was secretly put to death on 16 October 1570. The historian John Brewer believes that Philip had him hastily executed soon after the Philip's first meeting with Anna, in which he refused to free Floris.
Besides being her father's favorite child, Anna was also Philip's most beloved wife. But the marriage was at first opposed by many, including Pope Pius V
. According to diplomats, the king was in love with his young bride. Philip was a conscientious monarch and maintained his relationship with Anna twice a week to write notes. It was Philip's fourth marriage, but the king still had no male heir. Anna completed her duties flawlessly in that regard. Not only was she a good step-mother to Philip's daughters Isabella Clara Eugenia and Catherine Michelle, but she also gave birth to five children, including sons.
There are no records of Philip having mistresses during the time of their marriage. Anna had a personality very much like his own, and he was devoted to her. Queen Anna was also vivid and cheerful, and managed to ease up some of the stiff atmosphere at the Spanish court. Anna busied herself mostly with needlework.
The couple travelled to Portugal after the death of the childless Henry of Portugal, and the royal couple became seriously ill. At the time, Anna was pregnant with her daughter Maria. The doctors who tried to save her left her to bleed for anemia
. She died of heart failure in great pain after giving birth to her last child.
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Philip II of Spain
Philip II was King of Spain, Portugal, Naples, Sicily, and, while married to Mary I, King of England and Ireland. He was lord of the Seventeen Provinces from 1556 until 1581, holding various titles for the individual territories such as duke or count....
.
Family
She was the eldest daughter of Holy Roman EmperorHoly Roman Emperor
The Holy Roman Emperor is a term used by historians to denote a medieval ruler who, as German King, had also received the title of "Emperor of the Romans" from the Pope...
Maximilian II
Maximilian II, Holy Roman Emperor
Maximilian II was king of Bohemia and king of the Romans from 1562, king of Hungary and Croatia from 1563, emperor of the Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation from 1564 until his death...
and Maria of Spain
Maria of Spain
Archduchess Maria of Austria was the spouse of Maximilian II, Holy Roman Emperor and King of Bohemia and Hungary. She was the daughter of Emperor Charles V and twice served as regent of Spain.-Life:...
. Her maternal grandparents were Holy Roman Emperor Charles V
Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor
Charles V was ruler of the Holy Roman Empire from 1519 and, as Charles I, of the Spanish Empire from 1516 until his voluntary retirement and abdication in favor of his younger brother Ferdinand I and his son Philip II in 1556.As...
and Isabella of Portugal
Isabella of Portugal
Isabella of Portugal was a Portuguese Princess and Holy Roman Empress, Duchess of Burgundy, and a Queen Regent/Consort of Spain. She was the daughter of Manuel I of Portugal and Maria of Aragon. By her marriage to Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor, Isabella was also Holy Roman Empress and Queen...
, and her paternal grandparents were Holy Roman Emperor Ferdinand I
Ferdinand I, Holy Roman Emperor
Ferdinand I was Holy Roman Emperor from 1558 and king of Bohemia and Hungary from 1526 until his death. Before his accession, he ruled the Austrian hereditary lands of the Habsburgs in the name of his elder brother, Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor.The key events during his reign were the contest...
and Anna of Bohemia and Hungary
Anna of Bohemia and Hungary
Anna of Bohemia and Hungary, also sometimes known as Anna Jagellonica was, by marriage to Ferdinand I, King of the Romans and later Holy Roman Emperor, Queen of the Romans.-Family:She was the elder child and only daughter of king Vladislaus II of Bohemia and Hungary and his third...
. The mother of both Charles V and Ferdinand I was Joanna of Castile
Joanna of Castile
Joanna , nicknamed Joanna the Mad , was the first queen regnant to reign over both the Crown of Castile and the Crown of Aragon , a union which evolved into modern Spain...
, known as Joanne the Mad (Juana la Loca), a the daughter of King Ferdinand II of Aragon
Ferdinand II of Aragon
Ferdinand the Catholic was King of Aragon , Sicily , Naples , Valencia, Sardinia, and Navarre, Count of Barcelona, jure uxoris King of Castile and then regent of that country also from 1508 to his death, in the name of...
and Queen Isabella I of Castile
Isabella I of Castile
Isabella I was Queen of Castile and León. She and her husband Ferdinand II of Aragon brought stability to both kingdoms that became the basis for the unification of Spain. Later the two laid the foundations for the political unification of Spain under their grandson, Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor...
. Anna was born in Spain, but lived in Vienna
Vienna
Vienna is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Austria and one of the nine states of Austria. Vienna is Austria's primary city, with a population of about 1.723 million , and is by far the largest city in Austria, as well as its cultural, economic, and political centre...
from the age of four. She had many other siblings, two of whom became the Holy Roman Emperors (Rudolf II and Matthias). Among her sisters was Queen Elisabeth of France, wife of King Charles IX of France
Charles IX of France
Charles IX was King of France, ruling from 1560 until his death. His reign was dominated by the Wars of Religion. He is best known as king at the time of the St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre.-Childhood:...
.
Biography
Anna was considered her father's favorite child. The story goes that he enjoyed playing and gambling with her and once a meeting of the EstatesEstates of the realm
The Estates of the realm were the broad social orders of the hierarchically conceived society, recognized in the Middle Ages and Early Modern period in Christian Europe; they are sometimes distinguished as the three estates: the clergy, the nobility, and commoners, and are often referred to by...
of Hungary was postponed because Anna was sick. She received a Catholic education even though her father was sympathetic to Lutheranism.
As the eldest daughter of the Holy Roman Emperor, Anna was a desirable candidate for marriage at the European courts. Her parents thought of a Spanish marriage to strengthen links between the Austrian and Spanish Habsburg families. Initially she had her cousin Don Carlos of Spain
Don Carlos, Prince of Asturias
Carlos, Prince of Asturias, also known as Don Carlos , was the eldest son and heir of King Philip II of Spain. His mother was Maria Manuela of Portugal, daughter of John III of Portugal. Carlos was mentally unstable and was imprisoned by his father in early 1568, dying after half a year of solitary...
in mind, the only son of her maternal uncle Philip II of Spain
Philip II of Spain
Philip II was King of Spain, Portugal, Naples, Sicily, and, while married to Mary I, King of England and Ireland. He was lord of the Seventeen Provinces from 1556 until 1581, holding various titles for the individual territories such as duke or count....
. These plans were shattered in 1568 when Don Carlos died. Plans for a Spanish marriage were revived when Philip's third wife, Elisabeth, died in childbirth, also in 1568. As a result, Philip was left a widower with two young daughters. Philip had been married three times before: first to his double first cousin Maria Manuela, Princess of Portugal, secondly to his first cousin, once removed Mary I of England
Mary I of England
Mary I was queen regnant of England and Ireland from July 1553 until her death.She was the only surviving child born of the ill-fated marriage of Henry VIII and his first wife Catherine of Aragon. Her younger half-brother, Edward VI, succeeded Henry in 1547...
, and thirdly to the aforementioned Elisabeth of Valois
Elisabeth of Valois
Elisabeth of Valois was the eldest daughter of Henry II of France and Catherine de' Medici.-Early life:She was born in the Château de Fontainebleau...
. Philip was now looking for his fourth wife, since he had no male heir since Don Carlos died. In February 1569, Anna's engagement to her uncle Philip II was announced and in May 1570 they married by proxy
Proxy marriage
A proxy wedding or is a wedding in which the bride or groom is not physically present, usually being represented instead by another person...
.
Anna traveled from Austria to Spain in the autumn of 1570 accompanied by her brothers Albert and Wenzel
Archduke Wenceslaus of Austria
Archduke Wenceslaus of Austria , was a German prince member of the House of Habsburg and since 1577 Grand Prior of the Order of Malta in Castile.He was the son of Maximilian II, Holy Roman Emperor by his wife Maria of Spain....
. They traveled through the Netherlands, where Anna was accosted by friends and relatives of Floris Montigny, the younger brother of the executed Count of Horn. Montigny had been imprisoned in Spain since 1567. Now that King Philip had entered into a new marriage, Montigny's family and friends dared to hope for leniency. They received a promise from the future queen that she would do her utmost to free Montigny. On 3 October Anna arrived on Spanish soil, but before she could reach the king, Floris was secretly put to death on 16 October 1570. The historian John Brewer believes that Philip had him hastily executed soon after the Philip's first meeting with Anna, in which he refused to free Floris.
Besides being her father's favorite child, Anna was also Philip's most beloved wife. But the marriage was at first opposed by many, including Pope Pius V
Pope Pius V
Pope Saint Pius V , born Antonio Ghislieri , was Pope from 1566 to 1572 and is a saint of the Catholic Church. He is chiefly notable for his role in the Council of Trent, the Counter-Reformation, and the standardization of the Roman liturgy within the Latin Church...
. According to diplomats, the king was in love with his young bride. Philip was a conscientious monarch and maintained his relationship with Anna twice a week to write notes. It was Philip's fourth marriage, but the king still had no male heir. Anna completed her duties flawlessly in that regard. Not only was she a good step-mother to Philip's daughters Isabella Clara Eugenia and Catherine Michelle, but she also gave birth to five children, including sons.
There are no records of Philip having mistresses during the time of their marriage. Anna had a personality very much like his own, and he was devoted to her. Queen Anna was also vivid and cheerful, and managed to ease up some of the stiff atmosphere at the Spanish court. Anna busied herself mostly with needlework.
The couple travelled to Portugal after the death of the childless Henry of Portugal, and the royal couple became seriously ill. At the time, Anna was pregnant with her daughter Maria. The doctors who tried to save her left her to bleed for anemia
Anemia
Anemia is a decrease in number of red blood cells or less than the normal quantity of hemoglobin in the blood. However, it can include decreased oxygen-binding ability of each hemoglobin molecule due to deformity or lack in numerical development as in some other types of hemoglobin...
. She died of heart failure in great pain after giving birth to her last child.
Children
- Ferdinand, Prince of AsturiasFerdinand, Prince of AsturiasFerdinand of Spain was the son of Philip II of Spain and Anna of Austria.When Ferdinand was born, he was proclaimed Prince of Asturias, his half-brother Charles having died three years previously. Ferdinand died when he was 6 years old and the new prince of Asturias was his younger brother...
(4 December 1571 – 18 October 1578), died in Philip's lifetime - Charles Laurence (12 August 1573 – 30 June 1575), died young
- Diego, Prince of AsturiasDiego, Prince of AsturiasDiego Félix of Austria, Infante of Spain was the third son of Philip II of Spain by his fourth wife Anna of Austria.-Life:...
(15 August 1575 – 21 November 1582), died in Philip's lifetime - Philip III of SpainPhilip III of SpainPhilip III , also known as Philip the Pious, was the King of Spain and King of Portugal and the Algarves, where he ruled as Philip II , from 1598 until his death...
(3 April 1578 – 31 March 1621), succeeded his father, the only child to live to adulthood. - Maria (14 February 1580 – 5 August 1583), died young
Ancestry
Literature
- J. Brouwer, Montigny, Representative of the Netherlands by Philip II (Amsterdam z.j. [1941]).
- R. Rodríguez Raso, Maximiliano de Austria, gobernador de Carlos V en España: cartas al emperador (Madrid 1963).
- Fernando González-Doria, Las Reinas de España (Madrid 1986).
- A. W. Lovett, Early Habsburg Spain, 1517-1598 (Oxford 1986).
- John Lynch, Spain 1516-1598. From nation state to world empire (Oxford 1991).
- Geoffrey Parker, Philip II (Chicago / La Salle 1996).
- Henry Kamen, Philip of Spain (New Haven / London 1997).
- Manuel Ríos Mazcarelle, Reinas de España. Casa de Austria (Madrid 1998).
- L. Cabrera de Córdoba, Historia de Felipe II, rey de España, J. Martínez Millán and C.J. ed the Carlos Morales (Madrid 1998).
- Paula Sutter Fichtner, The Emperor Maximilian II (New Haven 2001).
- Pedro Gargantilla, Enfermedades de los reyes de España. Los Austrias. De la locura a la impotencia de Juana de Carlos II el Hechizado (Madrid 2005).
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