Archduchess Isabella, the daughter of Philip the Handsome and Joanna of Castile, was born on 18 July 1501. Together with her sisters and her elder brother, the future Emperor Charles V, she was carefully raised and educated in the humanist spirit at the Brussels court by their aunt Margaret, Regent of the Austrian Netherlands.
At the age of fourteen, she was married to Christian II of Denmark, who was twenty years her senior. This favourable union enhanced the Austrian Netherlands’ access to trade in the Baltic region. From a personal perspective, the early years of the marriage were overshadowed by the presence of the King’s mistress at court, but the royal couple’s relationship improved after her death. Isabella was popular and beloved among her subjects—quite unlike her husband.
Christian II’s attempts to preserve the Kalmar Union of the Scandinavian kingdoms briefly brought him to the Swedish throne, but he was soon deposed in a rebellion. His radical reforms in Denmark led to yet another coup, and the King found himself deposed once again and subsequently exiled.
Isabella followed him into exile with their three surviving children and sought the support of her relatives to restore the King to the throne. She died within a year, having endured considerable hardship.
Access to the Metatext via placing an order for an augmented product. See Terms of Use
