Maria of Austria [Holy Roman Empress] - Autograph letter signed [Holy Empire, Spain and entry into Monastery] - 1582

Holy Roman Empress MARIA of AUSTRIA (1582) – Autograph letter signed Holy Empire, Spain and entry into Monastery

Empress Maria of Austria (1528-1603), Empress of the Holy Roman Empire with her husband Emperor Maximilian II. Daughter of Emperor Charles V, her 1st daughter married King of Spain Philip II and her 2nd daughter became Queen of France.

Autograph letter signed “Maria”, Anguita, February 16 [1582], 1 page in fol., address with small red wax seal with arms, in Spanish. Letter addressed to “Quebenhiler” (Juan Quebenhiler - Hans Khevenhuller in German-, ambassador of the Holy Empire to Spain in the XVIth century).

After the death of her husband Maximilien II in 1576, Empress Maria decided to return definitely to Spain, despite the contrary advice of her son and new emperor Rudolf. Maria's intention was to enter the convent of Las Descalzas Reales in Madrid - founded by her sister Joanna of Austria (1535-1573). On her arrival in Madrid on March 6, 1582, she went to the convent but left shortly after for Portugal to meet briefly her brother, king of Spain Philip II. On her return to Madrid, the empress entered the monastery of Las Descalzas where she died in 1603.

Very rare letter from the Empress on this important episode in her life. Maria of Austria tells her ambassador that she wants to retire into the monastery of Descalzas Reales*, founded by her sister Joanna of Austria (“[…] y Dios, muchas gracias a Dios que hiré al monasterio de mi her[ma]na [ ….]”). She gives directions on her route (“[…] en Alcala a donde espero llegar el miercoles, Dios queriendo […] de alli tomare mi camino para San Lorenzo** […]”) and wishes to stop as little as possible. Taking great care upon her return to Spain, the Empress asks her ambassador to bring her jewelry (“brincos***”) in gold, silver, amber or any other that he can obtain (“[…] de oro y plata y ambar o de qualquier suerte que se allaren procureis juntarlos y hazer que yo los puedo ver en Alcala […] »).
Her return to Spain was followed very conscientiously by the Holy Roman Empire and Ambassador Khevenhuller, who met her several times until her arrival in Madrid (precisely described in Khevenhuller's memoirs and autobiographical accounts).

* The Monastery of Nuestra Señora de la Visitación, in Madrid, known as Descalzas Reales, is a monastery of nuns founded in 1559 by Joanna of Austria, sister of King Philip II of Spain and Empress Maria of Austria.
** San Lorenzo el Real de El Escorial, monastery and royal site. Former residence of the King of Spain, heart of the Spanish Empire under Philip II.
*** Jewelry that adorned the headdress or clothing.

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