biography
| name: |
Margaret of Austria
|
| |
Dutch Margaretha van Oostenrijk
|
| sex:
| female
|
| lived:
| (1480–1530)
|
| biography:
| Governess of The Netherlands, born in Brussels, Belgium, the daughter of Maximilian I and Mary of Burgundy. She was appointed governess in 1507, after the death of Philip the Fair, as regent for the young Charles V. She married first (1497) Don Juan of Castile, who died six months later, and second (1501) Philibert of Savoy, who died in 1504. She mistrusted France and promoted the interests of the Low Countries. French successes led the States-General to deprive her of the regency and declare Charles V (at the age of 15) to be of age. When he left for Spain he reinstated her as governess in 1519. She was instrumental in getting Charles V elected emperor, which caused war with France to resume. She was successful in winning territory in Flanders and Artois from France, confirmed by the Treaty of Cambrai in 1529, and also extended the Habsburg power in Friesland, Utrecht, and Overijssel. |
|
|
