Anna of Austria (born September 22, 1601 - January 20, 1666), Queen of France, wife (since 1615) of the French king Louis XIII. The daughter of King Philip III of Spain, she tried to pursue a pro-Hispanic policy. From the Habsburg dynasty. Participated in conspiracies against Cardinal Richelieu. In 1643-1651, regent under the minor Louis XIV, in fact, the country was ruled by her favorite Giulio Mazarini, who was appointed her first minister. 1661 - after the death of Mazarin, when Louis XIV began to rule on his own, Anna retired to the monastery of Val de Gras.
Origin. Upbringing
Anna, the eldest daughter of King Philip III of Spain and Margaret of Austria, was born in Valladolid in 1601. Anna and her younger sister Maria were brought up in an atmosphere of strict morals and strict adherence to the rules of etiquette inherent in the royal court of Spain. Infanta received a very good education: she was able to master the basics of European languages, Scripture and genealogy of the reigning Habsburg dynasty, she learned needlework and dancing. Anna, grew up as a sweet and pretty girl, promising to later turn into a true beauty.
Marriage. Queen of France
The conclusion of marriage, as was customary in those years, was not a matter of mutual sympathy and love, but a political calculation. France and Spain were on the brink of war, and conflict between states could break out at any time. However, prudence prevailed - the countries concluded a pact on the marriage of two members of royal families, as a result, a peace was established between them, which was based on family ties.
Promotional video:
1615 - Infanta was married to the French king Louis XIII. Anna did not see her groom until the wedding. 1615, October - 14-year-old Anna becomes not only the wife of a handsome youth, but also the French queen. Her husband was her age and, although he suffered from many complexes, he appreciated the beauty of the Spanish princess and at first admired her very much. However, the gloom and isolation made the young king very similar to the Spaniards, from whom the Infanta left with great joy. The profligate and splendid French royal court differed greatly from the prim Spanish society, and the young queen delightedly plunged into many entertainments and pleasures.
The marriage, which lasted 28 years, was marked by mutual coldness, and sometimes outright hostility of the spouses.
Moreover, in 1625, a scandal erupted at the French court when tender feelings for Anna from the Duke of Buckingham were revealed.
The relationship between the spouses was poisoned by the incessant struggle around the first minister, Cardinal Richelieu: Anna tried to take Louis out of his influence and each time supported conspiracies against the cardinal. But they all ended in failure, and the king's antipathy to his wife grew.
Regent
Anna was able to achieve a better relationship at court only when she gave birth to two sons (the future Louis XIV and Philippe, the future Duke of Orleans). After the death of Cardinal Richelieu in 1642, the Italian Mazarin took his place. He was able to retain his post when Louis XIII passed away in May 1643 and Anne became regent with her 5-year-old son. Parliament and the nobility, which supported Anna in this, hoped to restore their rights, weakened by the policy of Cardinal Richelieu.
But this was not destined to come true. The Queen gave her trust to Mazarin. The latter, having taken the cardinal dignity, began to continue the political course of Richelieu.
Anna and Mazarin
The Queen and Mazarin got along remarkably well (there is a version that they were connected by a secret marriage). They successfully conducted the final phase of the Thirty Years' War, which ended with the conclusion of the Peace of Westphalia in 1648, and in 1648-1653. they were able to cope with the Fronde, the movement that advocated constitutional rule in France. Mazarin was able to further strengthen the position of ministers at the French court.
1659 - the Iberian Peace was concluded with Spain, according to which the borders between the two states were established along the Iberian ridge and Spain's rights to possessions in Flanders and the Netherlands were confirmed.
Officially, the regency period ended in 1651, but Louis XIV took full power into his own hands only in 1661, after the death of Mazarin. Anna retired to the Val-de-Gras convent, where she lived the last 5 years of her life. Anna died in Paris on January 20, 1666.