Mary of Hungary

(1505-1558)

   Born in Brussels on 15 September 1505, the third daughter and fifth child of Philip I and Joanna of Castile, Mary was raised with her brother the future emperor Charles V at Mechelen at the court of regent Margaret of Austria. After the death of her husband the king of Hungary in 1526, she resolved never to remarry. Mary was appointed governor-general of the Netherlands by her brother. They entered Brussels together in the first week of April 1531. Under Mary, Brussels became the official capital of the Netherlands and the court henceforth resided here permanently. She brought with her to Brussels a considerable collection of books and manuscripts, and many architects, sculptors, painters, and tapestry weavers, including Bernard van Orley, worked for, or were supported by, her. She aligned her policies closely with those of her brother. Mary resigned her office at the same time as her brother (25 October 1555) and she departed with him for Spain, where she died shortly after him, at Cigalos, on 18 October 1558.

   See also Spanish Regime.