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{{Unreferenced|date=July 2009}} |
{{Unreferenced|date=July 2009}} |
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{{Infobox Royalty|consort=yes |
{{Infobox Royalty|consort=yes |
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| name = |
| name = Elisabeth of Valois |
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| succession = [[Queen consort of Spain]] |
| succession = [[Queen consort of Spain]] |
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| image = Isabel de Valois2..jpg |
| image = Isabel de Valois2..jpg |
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| caption =Élisabeth de Valois, by [[Sofonisba Anguissola]], 1565 |
| caption =Élisabeth de Valois, by [[Sofonisba Anguissola]], 1565 |
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| reign = 1559 - |
| reign = 1559 - 3 October 3 1568 |
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| spouse = [[Philip II of Spain]] |
| spouse = [[Philip II of Spain]] |
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| issue = [[Infanta Isabella Clara Eugenia of Spain|Isabella, Archduchess of Austria]]<br>[[Catherine Michelle of Spain|Catherine, Duchess of Savoy]] |
| issue = [[Infanta Isabella Clara Eugenia of Spain|Isabella, Archduchess of Austria]]<br>[[Catherine Michelle of Spain|Catherine, Duchess of Savoy]] |
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{{Commons|Elisabeth de Valois}} |
{{Commons|Elisabeth de Valois}} |
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{{Clearright}} |
{{Clearright}} |
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''' |
'''Elisabeth of Valois''' (2 April 1544 – 3 October 1568) was the eldest daughter of [[Henry II of France]] and [[Catherine de' Medici]]. |
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== Biography == |
== Biography == |
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She was born in the [[Chateau of Fontainebleau]]. Her childhood was spent in the French royal nursery, where her father insisted she share her bedroom with her future sister-in-law, [[Mary I |
She was born in the [[Chateau of Fontainebleau]]. Her childhood was spent in the French royal nursery, where her father insisted she share her bedroom with her future sister-in-law, queen [[Mary I of Scotland]], who was about her same age. Even though Elisabeth had to give precedence to Mary (since Mary was already a crowned queen), the two would remain close friends for the rest of their lives. Elisabeth was described as being shy, timid and very much in awe of her formidable mother; although there is also evidence that Catherine was tender and loving toward Elisabeth. This was certainly evident in her letters to Elisabeth. |
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Elisabeth married [[Philip II of Spain]] ("Philip the Catholic"), son of [[Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor]] and [[Isabella of Portugal]] in 1559. Originally married via proxy at Notre Dame (with the [[Duke of Alba]] standing in for Philip) prior to leaving France, the actual ceremony took place in Guadalajara, Spain upon her arrival. The marriage was a result of the [[Peace of Cateau Cambrésis]] (1559). His second wife, [[Mary I of England]] had recently died; making Elisabeth of Valois Philip's third wife. |
Elisabeth married [[Philip II of Spain]] ("Philip the Catholic"), son of [[Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor]] and [[Isabella of Portugal]] in 1559. Originally married via proxy at Notre Dame (with the [[Duke of Alba]] standing in for Philip) prior to leaving France, the actual ceremony took place in Guadalajara, Spain upon her arrival. The marriage was a result of the [[Peace of Cateau Cambrésis]] (1559). His second wife, [[Mary I of England]] had recently died; making Elisabeth of Valois Philip's third wife. |
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Philip was completely enchanted by his 14 year old bride, and within a short period of time had given up his mistress. Despite the significant age difference, Elisabeth was also quite pleased with her husband. (In letters to her mother, she proclaimed herself to be fortunate to have married so charming a prince.) Philip enjoyed hosting chivalric tournaments to entertain his wife. Elisabeth would play liege lady to the three young Princes of the Spanish Court [[Carlos, Prince of Asturias |
Philip was completely enchanted by his 14 year old bride, and within a short period of time had given up his mistress. Despite the significant age difference, Elisabeth was also quite pleased with her husband. (In letters to her mother, she proclaimed herself to be fortunate to have married so charming a prince.) Philip enjoyed hosting chivalric tournaments to entertain his wife. Elisabeth would play liege lady to the three young Princes of the Spanish Court: [[Carlos, Prince of Asturias]], [[John of Austria]] (illegitimate son of Charles V), and [[Alexander Farnese, Duke of Parma]] (son of Charles V's illegitimate daughter Margaret). |
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Elisabeth had originally been betrothed to Philip's son, [[Carlos, Prince of Asturias |
Elisabeth had originally been betrothed to Philip's son, [[Carlos, Prince of Asturias]], but political complications unexpectedly necessitated instead a marriage to Philip. Her relationship with her troubled stepson Carlos was warm and friendly. Despite reports of his progressively bizarre behavior, Carlos was always kind and gentle to Elisabeth. When it eventually became necessary for Philip to lock him away (which shortly lead to the Prince’s demise) Elisabeth cried for days. |
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[[File:Isabel de Valois2.jpg|thumb|left|Elisabeth in 1568]] |
[[File:Isabel de Valois2.jpg|thumb|left|Queen Elisabeth in 1568]] |
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Philip was very attached to Elisabeth, staying close by her side even when she was ill with [[smallpox]]. Elisabeth's first pregnancy in 1564 ended with a [[miscarriage]] of twin girls. She later gave birth to [[Infanta Isabella Clara Eugenia of Spain]] on [[August 12]] [[1566]], and then to Isabella's younger sister [[Catherine Michelle of Spain]] [[October 10]] [[1567]]. Elisabeth had another miscarriage on [[October 3]] [[1568]], and died the same day, along with her newborn infant son. |
Philip was very attached to Elisabeth, staying close by her side even when she was ill with [[smallpox]]. Elisabeth's first pregnancy in 1564 ended with a [[miscarriage]] of twin girls. She later gave birth to [[Infanta Isabella Clara Eugenia of Spain]] on [[August 12]] [[1566]], and then to Isabella's younger sister [[Catherine Michelle of Spain]] [[October 10]] [[1567]]. Elisabeth had another miscarriage on [[October 3]] [[1568]], and died the same day, along with her newborn infant son. |
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After the death of Elisabeth, Catherine de' Medici offered her younger daughter |
After the death of Elisabeth, Catherine de' Medici offered her younger daughter [[Margaret of Valois|Margaret]] as a bride for Philip. Philip declined the offer. |
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==Ancestors== |
==Ancestors== |
Revision as of 14:18, 18 October 2009
Elisabeth of Valois | |
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Queen consort of Spain | |
Tenure | 1559 - 3 October 3 1568 |
Spouse | Philip II of Spain |
Issue | Isabella, Archduchess of Austria Catherine, Duchess of Savoy |
House | House of Valois |
Father | Henry II of France |
Mother | Catherine de' Medici |
Elisabeth of Valois (2 April 1544 – 3 October 1568) was the eldest daughter of Henry II of France and Catherine de' Medici.
Biography
She was born in the Chateau of Fontainebleau. Her childhood was spent in the French royal nursery, where her father insisted she share her bedroom with her future sister-in-law, queen Mary I of Scotland, who was about her same age. Even though Elisabeth had to give precedence to Mary (since Mary was already a crowned queen), the two would remain close friends for the rest of their lives. Elisabeth was described as being shy, timid and very much in awe of her formidable mother; although there is also evidence that Catherine was tender and loving toward Elisabeth. This was certainly evident in her letters to Elisabeth.
Elisabeth married Philip II of Spain ("Philip the Catholic"), son of Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor and Isabella of Portugal in 1559. Originally married via proxy at Notre Dame (with the Duke of Alba standing in for Philip) prior to leaving France, the actual ceremony took place in Guadalajara, Spain upon her arrival. The marriage was a result of the Peace of Cateau Cambrésis (1559). His second wife, Mary I of England had recently died; making Elisabeth of Valois Philip's third wife.
Philip was completely enchanted by his 14 year old bride, and within a short period of time had given up his mistress. Despite the significant age difference, Elisabeth was also quite pleased with her husband. (In letters to her mother, she proclaimed herself to be fortunate to have married so charming a prince.) Philip enjoyed hosting chivalric tournaments to entertain his wife. Elisabeth would play liege lady to the three young Princes of the Spanish Court: Carlos, Prince of Asturias, John of Austria (illegitimate son of Charles V), and Alexander Farnese, Duke of Parma (son of Charles V's illegitimate daughter Margaret).
Elisabeth had originally been betrothed to Philip's son, Carlos, Prince of Asturias, but political complications unexpectedly necessitated instead a marriage to Philip. Her relationship with her troubled stepson Carlos was warm and friendly. Despite reports of his progressively bizarre behavior, Carlos was always kind and gentle to Elisabeth. When it eventually became necessary for Philip to lock him away (which shortly lead to the Prince’s demise) Elisabeth cried for days.
Philip was very attached to Elisabeth, staying close by her side even when she was ill with smallpox. Elisabeth's first pregnancy in 1564 ended with a miscarriage of twin girls. She later gave birth to Infanta Isabella Clara Eugenia of Spain on August 12 1566, and then to Isabella's younger sister Catherine Michelle of Spain October 10 1567. Elisabeth had another miscarriage on October 3 1568, and died the same day, along with her newborn infant son.
After the death of Elisabeth, Catherine de' Medici offered her younger daughter Margaret as a bride for Philip. Philip declined the offer.
Ancestors
In fiction
Elisabeth of Valois is a central character in Schiller's play Don Carlos and in Verdi's opera adapted from that play also titled Don Carlos. Both works imply a tragic romance between Elisabeth and Carlos, suggesting that they were really in love with each other when Elisabeth was forced to break off her engagement to Carlos and marry his father Philip.