Maria Gonzaga, Duchess of Montferrat

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Maria Gonzaga
Regent of Mantua
Born29 July 1609
Mantua
Died14 August 1660(1660-08-14) (aged 51)
Mantua
Spouse
Charles Gonzaga, Duke of Nevers

(m. 1627; died 1631)
Charles II, Duke of Mantua and Montferrat
Eleonora, Holy Roman Empress
Names
Maria Gonzaga
HouseGonzaga
FatherFrancesco Gonzaga
MotherMargaret of Savoy

Maria Gonzaga or Maria of Mantua (29 July 1609 – 14 August 1660) was a reigning duchess of Montferrat from 1612 until 1660, and regent in Mantua during the minority of her son from 1637 until 1647.

Biography

Maria was the eldest and only surviving child of

Infanta Catherine Michelle of Spain.[1]

Maria's father died aged 26 in 1612 when she was only three years old, and was succeeded as Duke of Mantua by his two brothers, who had no issue. This made Maria and her husband

War of Mantuan Succession
.

The outcome was that, after the death of her husband Charles in 1631, his father

Charles
became the new Duke of Mantua until his death in 1637.

Maria exercised the regency of Mantua on behalf of her son for ten years, until 1647.
She died in 1660, aged 51.

Issue

Maria and Charles had:

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c Parrott 1997, p. 22.

Sources

  • Parrott, David (1997). "The Mantuan Succession, 1627–31: A Sovereignty Dispute in Early Modern Europe". The English Historical Review. CXII, Issue 445, February (445). Oxford Academic: 20–65. .

External links