Panel

School of Jan Gossaert

Southern Low Countries 1500-1600

Obtained from Ch.L. Cardon, Brussels.

 

In 1505, Mary was born the daughter of Philip the Handsome and Joan of Aragon. She was a younger sister of Charles, the emperor-to-be. At the age of seven, Maximilian I, Emperor of Austria, announced a marriage arrangement between Mary and the King of Hungary, in order to gain influence in that area. This marriage would link Austria to Hungary for more than 400 years! In 1522 she married King Louis II of Hungary. This was during the period when Turkish aggression against Austria was at its height. Mary’s husband became increasingly involved in the war with Suleiman the Magnificent, Sultan of Turkey, and in 1526 Louis died at the battle of Mohacz. Mary decided not to re-marry. She was appointed Regent of Habsburg Hungary by Ferdinand, her brother. She remained in this post until, on the death of her aunt, Margaret of Savoy, Charles V appointed her Regent of the Netherlands. Mary was a remarkably independent woman. She thought for herself and held ’modern’ opinions on religious matters. Nevertheless, she sacrificed her entire life to the causes of her brother Charles. She was intensely interested in humanist studies and in contemporary art -the great Renaissance Art-, both of which flourished at the Brussels Court. She resigned from her position in 1555, together with Charles, who abdicated from the Netherlands in the same year.

In 1558 she died in Spain.

Benedictus Appenzeller

Mijns liefkens bruin oghen

The Musick’s Monument Vocal Ensemble