#anneofaustria

Anne of Austria

Anne of Austria (1601-1666), as the wife of King Louis XIII of France (r. 1610-1643), was queen consort of France and of Navarre when the Kingdom of Navarre was annexed by the French Crown. She also acted as regent for her son, King Louis XIV of France (1638-1715), during the early years of his reign.

Early Life

Anne was born in Valladolid, Spain, on 22 September 1601 to King Philip III of Spain (r. 1598-1621) and Margaret of Austria (l. 1584-1611). Her childhood was spent at the Royal Alcazar in Madrid, Spain. Growing up, Anne was constantly visiting monasteries and would soon follow in her parents' footsteps and become very religious. In 1611, Anne's mother died in childbirth, and so the responsibility of raising her younger siblings was passed down to Anne.

While a Spaniard, Anne had Austrian ancestry and was considered an Austrian Archduchess as well as a Princess of Spain and Portugal, which is why she is referred to as ‘of Austria'. Anne was described to be a very beautiful girl, even at a young age, with fair hair that could often be found in large curls, greenish-blue eyes, and an oval face. Her beauty and political position would help Anne gain the attention of many suitors.

The most successful of Anne's suitors was none other than King Louis XIII of France (l. 1601-1643), and when their betrothal was announced to the people of Paris on 18 March 1612, there were celebrations throughout the city. There were balls, banquets, and celebratory parties being hosted in the Louvre (the residence of French royalty), Fontainebleau Palace, and St. Germain. This was a political marriage, and Anne's father thought this would be a good chance to bring France into the Habsburg world; the couple married in 1615 when Anne was 14 years old.

As it would turn out, the union between Anne and Louis was very cold. Louis prioritized activities common for young men of high status, such as hunting rabbits in the garden of the Tuileries Palace, and would allow himself to fully listen and be governed by his favorite advisors in court; as such, he had almost no relationship with Anne.

Anne of Austria

Anne of Austria (1601-1666), as the wife of King Louis XIII of France (r. 1610-1643), was queen consort of France and of Navarre when the Kingdom of Navarre was annexed by the French Crown. She also acted as regent for her son, King Louis XIV of France (1638-1715), during the early years of his reign.

Early Life

Anne was born in Valladolid, Spain, on 22 September 1601 to King Philip III of Spain (r. 1598-1621) and Margaret of Austria (l. 1584-1611). Her childhood was spent at the Royal Alcazar in Madrid, Spain. Growing up, Anne was constantly visiting monasteries and would soon follow in her parents' footsteps and become very religious. In 1611, Anne's mother died in childbirth, and so the responsibility of raising her younger siblings was passed down to Anne.

While a Spaniard, Anne had Austrian ancestry and was considered an Austrian Archduchess as well as a Princess of Spain and Portugal, which is why she is referred to as ‘of Austria'. Anne was described to be a very beautiful girl, even at a young age, with fair hair that could often be found in large curls, greenish-blue eyes, and an oval face. Her beauty and political position would help Anne gain the attention of many suitors.

The most successful of Anne's suitors was none other than King Louis XIII of France (l. 1601-1643), and when their betrothal was announced to the people of Paris on 18 March 1612, there were celebrations throughout the city. There were balls, banquets, and celebratory parties being hosted in the Louvre (the residence of French royalty), Fontainebleau Palace, and St. Germain. This was a political marriage, and Anne's father thought this would be a good chance to bring France into the Habsburg world; the couple married in 1615 when Anne was 14 years old.

As it would turn out, the union between Anne and Louis was very cold. Louis prioritized activities common for young men of high status, such as hunting rabbits in the garden of the Tuileries Palace, and would allow himself to fully listen and be governed by his favorite advisors in court; as such, he had almost no relationship with Anne.

Anne of Austria

Anne of Austria (1601-1666), as the wife of King Louis XIII of France (r. 1610-1643), was queen consort of France and of Navarre when the Kingdom of Navarre was annexed by the French Crown. She also acted as regent for her son, King Louis XIV of France (1638-1715), during the early years of his reign.

The Regency of Anne of Austria, Queen Regent of France, Mother of Louis XIV

Martha Walker Freer’s “The Regency of Anne of Austria, Queen Regent of France, Mother of Louis XIV” is a classic text that delves into the life of Anne of Austria during her reign and regency by using numerous previously unpublished sources. Aimed at scholars and enthusiasts of 17th-century French history, this book provides an exceptional understanding of Anne of Austria’s contributions to French history.

The Regency of Anne of Austria, Queen Regent of France, Mother of Louis XIV by Martha Walker Freer (1822-1888) is a beautifully written classic work that not only characterizes Anne of Austria but also places her in the broader context of French History. Consisting of two volumes, this classic text aims to illuminate the intricacies of Anne’s regency which is typically overshadowed by the reign of her son, King Louis XIV, also known as the Sun King. Freer creates a diligent spread of the numerous sources that give life to Anne’s rule.

The chapters cover various aspects of Anne’s regency, such as her relationship with others in court, her policies and the policies of others, and the many adversities that she faced in this period of her life. This work provides a detailed analysis of Anne’s contribution as a French queen. Freer’s use of previously unpublished sources helps this text stand out from others in the same time and genre as the unique reference sources provide readers with a fresh and nuanced look at Anne of Austria’s life. This, in return, allows this book to address multiple events and introduce many individuals while presenting new insights and analyses of Anne’s life during her regency.

With her regency constantly shadowed by different French rulers, Anne of Austria’s regency is seldom referenced or discussed. French history can become complicated, especially when concerning the monarchs and their enemies and allies, as all must coexist within the French court. With the numerous sources describing Anne’s reign as regent, readers are allowed to learn more about the intricacies of French court life and the many decisions and factors that went into ruling this country. From adopting the policies of her former enemies in court to building her own supporting council of advisors and allies, and even contesting the will of her late spouse, this book constructs a three-dimensional view beyond a simple biography to complicate Anne of Austria.

Freer’s writing style keeps readers engaged and wanting more as the narrative tone helps readers follow along with the story. The use of exclamatory dialogue allows the mentioned figures to seem more human and provides a place to gather quotes from several historical French figures. The book also includes the lyrics of popular contemporary French songs. This emphasizes Freer's argument by allowing readers to become more immersed in life in 17th-century France. Freer does a wonderful job of introducing new historical figures and policies by utilizing footnotes. The book's footnotes provide complementary information, such as brief explanations of the relationships between historical figures, directions for further readings, and a brief history of architectural structures. These informative additions completely transform the reading experience as the reader is supplied with further context to ensure that they understand the nuances of the time, and make connections between the various events.

While this is a great read for those with an academic background or research purposes, this book may be too detailed and specialized for everyday readers. Given the tumultuous nature of French history, previous knowledge of 17th-century French history and politics is recommended to follow along. Having written multiple books on French history in similar fashions, Freer's work is one that underwent much research to encompass the complexities of the time. It would be a wonderful primary source used in scholarly writing.

Born in Leicestershire, United Kingdom in 1822, Martha Walker Freer was an English woman who wrote of the various topics that created French history, especially the women who contributed significantly to French nation-building. Even after she wed Rev. John Robinson, Freer continued to write her many works under her maiden name. Overall, this is a highly recommended book for those interested in learning about an overlooked French queen from a spectrum of perspectives.