Family Affairs? Habsburg Women as Key Mediators

Activity: Talks and presentationsTalk or oral contributionOther

Description

In 1569 Philip II of Spain made the following suggestion to his cousin Emperor Maximilian II: concerning the arranged marriage with his niece, Anna of Austria, Philip II opted for his sister, the Empress and mother of his future wife Mary of Spain, as main escort. The King of Spain argued that she would be the best choice for this position, having already in mind the next matrimonial project between the two branches of the House of Habsburg: the marriage of Rudolf II to Isabella Clara Eugenia. From the King‘s point of view only the Empress would be able to negotiate this delicate affair in a friendly, fraternal and confidential way: "bruederlich, freundtlich und vertreulich". Starting from this case I aim to verify if and, if so, to what extent the female members of the House of Habsburg were generally prefered in delicate or rather complicated matters between the two dynastic lines. Were they potentially the key mediators due to their position as permanent go-betweens?
Period29 Sep 2016
Event titleSplendid Encounters V: Diplomats and Diplomacy in the Early Modern World: Diplomatic Personnel
Event typeConference
LocationPrag, Czech RepublicShow on map