biography
| name: |
Margaret of Parma
|
| |
Dutch Margaretha van Parma
|
| sex:
| female
|
| lived:
| (1522–1586)
|
| biography:
| Governess of The Netherlands, born in Oudenaarde, W Belgium, the natural daughter of Charles V and Johanna van der Gheinst. As widow of Alessandro dei Medici she married Ottavio Farnese, Duke of Parma. She was made governess 1559 when Philip II left for Spain. At first she was influenced by Granvelle, but at the request of the League of Nobles had him recalled and then agreed the Compromise, which would allow Protestant preaching, while the nobles promised to keep the peace. When the Iconoclasm (1566) put this at risk, she restored order with the help of Mansfeld, Noircannes, Aremberg, and Megen, but resigned on Alva's appointment, and went back to Italy in 1567, returning to The Netherlands in 1580. Her son, Alexander Farnese, Duke of Parma, became governor-general in 1581. Philip had wanted her to share the governorship with him, but she refused. She left for Italy again in 1583. |
|
|
