She Never Lost Her Faith
Elisabeth of Austria was just a teenager when she married King Charles IX, becoming the Queen of France. By 20, she had lost everything—her husband, her crown, even her child. What she held onto in the midst of all her tragedy cemented her place in all of history.
1. She Was One In A Brood
Elisabeth of Austria was born on July 5th in 1554 to the one of the most powerful families in the world at that time: the Habsburg. Her father was Maximilian II, Holy Roman Emperor and her mother was Maria of Spain. However, as just one in a brood of 16 children, she would have to be exceptional to stand out.
Thankfully, she was.
2. She Grew Up In Seclusion
Elisabeth’s earliest memories were of the tranquil, manicured gardens of the newly constructed Hofburg Palace. Alongside her siblings Anna and Matthias, she lived in the Stallburg Pavilion of the imperial palace, shielded from the world, surrounded by beauty, and steeped in Catholic devotion.
It was obvious from day one, that something about her was different.
Unknown authorUnknown author, Wikimedia Commons
3. She Was Her Father’s Favorite
As Holy Roman Emperor, Elisabeth’s father, Maximilian II, had millions of subjects and over a dozen children. But, he preferred one above them all: Elisabeth. Between his imperial duties, he made sure to visit her frequently and showered her with his affections. Though, his love for her wasn’t exactly selfless.
Workshop of Nicolas Neufchatel, Wikimedia Commons
4. She Took After Her Father
Elisabeth inherited more than just the Habsburg name from her father—she inherited his personality and likeness. Elisabeth was, just like her father, thoughtful, charming, and intellectually curious. She wasn’t just brainy, though.
UniversalImagesGroup, Getty Images
5. She Was A Vision Of Beauty
Elisabeth proved that a princess could, indeed, have it all. With fair skin, cascading blonde hair, and regal poise, it didn’t take long for word of Elisabeth’s beauty to spread across Europe. She was every bit as beautiful as she was smart—but even that couldn’t prepare her for what lay ahead.
Jooris van der Straeten, Wikimedia Commons
6. She Was Kind—But Sheltered
Beneath her regal exterior and scholarly mind, Elisabeth was a gentle soul—and a painfully naive one. Having grown up away from the harshness of court politics, Elisabeth remained innocent and devout throughout her childhood years. The challenges in her life threatened to shatter her imperial shelter.
Didier Descouens, Wikimedia Commons
7. She Outshone Her Brothers
Elisabeth was never content to simply be an imperial wallflower, shrinking away in the background. When her brothers took on the famed scholar Ogier de Busbecq as a tutor, Elisabeth did something unexpected—she joined in on their lessons. Before long, she was even outperforming her brothers in academic pursuits.
She felt she had a different calling, however.
Unknown authorUnknown author, Wikimedia Commons
8. She Admired Her Namesake Saint
While Elisabeth enjoyed her lessons with Busbecq, she preferred her mother’s religious instruction. So, when her mother told her that she had been named after Saint Elisabeth of Hungary, the little Elisabeth found a role model for her future. The saint’s compassion and humility left such an impression that Elisabeth would never be the same.
Antonis Mor, Wikimedia Commons
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9. She Was Marriageable
Elisabeth was such a rare beauty, mind, and spirit that she became Europe’s most eligible bachelorette almost as soon as she was out of diapers. As early as 1559, whispers floated through royal courts suggesting a union between Elisabeth and Charles, Duke of Orléans, who fate and circumstance had made the heir apparent to the French throne. And as it turns out, both fate and circumstance had special plans for Elisabeth as well...
10. She Was Queen At First Sight
A few years later, when French envoys visited in 1562, one nobleman, Maréchal de Vieilleville, couldn’t contain his excitement. Upon seeing the eight-year-old Elisabeth, he proclaimed, “This is the Queen of France!” It wasn’t just flattery—it was a prophecy. But not necessarily a good one.
François Clouet, Wikimedia Commons
11. Her Grandfather Made Plans
The French delegation that visited Vienna in 1562 didn’t have the authority to extend an offer of marriage from the Duke of Orléans. But that didn’t stop Elisabeth’s grandfather, Ferdinand I, from making overtures. He exchanged gifts with the French delegation and clearly expressed his interest in seeing Elisabeth tied, in marriage, to France.
Patience, as they say, is a virtue.
Hans Bocksberger the Elder, Wikimedia Commons
12. She Batted Away Other Proposals
The Duke of Orléans wasn’t the only one with his eye on Elisabeth. As she grew into an even more beautiful young woman, she batted away offers of marriage from other European courts. Namely, there were plans to marry her off to Frederick II of Denmark or Sebastian of Portugal. Ultimately, however, another destiny awaited her.
Hans Knieper, Wikimedia Commons
13. She Had To Get Through Catherine For Charles
If Elisabeth was ever going to marry the Duke of Orléans, she would have to get through the Duke’s mother, Catherine de’ Medici. Hailing from another prominent family, she was the real “power behind the throne” and preferred to see her son wedded to Elisabeth’s older sister, Anna. However, when Anna became betrothed to King Philip II of Spain, Elisabeth’s shot to the top of the list.
Workshop of Francois Clouet, Wikimedia Commons
14. Her Marriage Was A Political One
While Elisabeth was a doe-eyed idealist, her marriage would prove to be one of political convenience—not love. Catherine de’ Medici only agreed to the union between Elisabeth and Charles because France needed a good Catholic marriage to combat a growing Protestant wave and a strong ally in the Habsburg dynasty to secure their borders.
To Elisabeth, however, the reasons didn’t matter.
Attributed to Germain Le Mannier, Wikimedia Commons
15. She Married Her Uncle—Kinda
With a sense of urgency to make the marriage official, Elisabeth had to marry her husband by proxy. The initial ceremony took place in the famed Speyer Cathedral in late October of 1570. Instead of saying, “I do,” to Charles, she made her vows to his proxy, her uncle. But even that couldn’t dampen her excitement.
16. She Had A Bad Omen
Elisabeth’s wedding (by proxy or not) was the event of the year for European royals. The celebrations lasted for weeks, with Elisabeth only finally departing for France in early November of that year. However, her journey to her new home country proved to be an omen—not a good one.
17. She Couldn’t Get To France
Sunshine and peacefulness seemed to follow Elisabeth wherever she went—until she headed for France. Just as she was departing for Paris, a bout of dangerous weather set in, bringing torrential downpours that made the roads “impassable”. Instead of a Parisian wedding, as she had hoped for, Elisabeth and her entourage decided the official ceremony had to take place in the town of Mézières in Champagne.
There was a surprise waiting for her.
OldLion, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
18. Her Husband’s Brothers Greeted Her
Before she reached Mézières, Elisabeth stopped in Sedan. There, her new husband had a surprise for her. Charles’ younger brothers, Henry, Duke of Anjou, and François, Duke of Alençon, had already arrived and were preparing a proper, warm French greeting. But it wasn’t a basket of baguettes and brie.
Attributed to Jean de Court / Formerly attributed to François Clouet, Wikimedia Commons
19. Her Husband Showed Up—In Disguise
Despite all of the excitement around their marriage, Charles had never actually met Elisabeth—and he was curious to know if she lived up to the hype. So, he set a secret plan into motion. Unbeknownst to Elisabeth and her entourage, he had arrived in Sedan disguised as an infantryman and mixed in with the courtiers surrounding his new wife. What he discovered made all the difference.
Pierre Benigni, Wikimedia Commons
20. She Was Delightful
As she toured the historic town of Sedan, Elisabeth had no idea that her new husband was spying on her—watching her just as intensely as she was watching the architecture. Not surprisingly, Charles found her even more charming than the sites of Sedan. According to reports at the time, Charles was “delighted” with Elisabeth.
But, would she be just as delighted with him?
François Clouet, Wikimedia Commons
21. She Finally Married Her King
After all of the delays and secret plans, on November 26, 1570, Elisabeth finally married King Charles IX of France in the town of Mézières. As a devout Catholic, Elisabeth was elated to have Cardinal de Bourbon preside over the ceremony, blessing her union and sealing her fate as the Queen of France.
This called for proper celebrations.
After François Clouet, Wikimedia Commons
22. She Had A Lavish Wedding
Having come from Vienna, the seat of imperial power, Elisabeth may have been dismayed to find that France’s finances were…well, less than ideal. Despite the French crown’s relative poverty, however, Elisabeth’s wedding was a royal spectacle. The “pomp and extravagance” was everything she deserved. And then some.
Francois Clouet, Wikimedia Commons
23. She Wore A Silver Dress
Elisabeth didn’t need a fancy wedding dress to be the perfect bride—but she got one anyway. The Austrian princess floated down the aisle in a shimmering gown made of silver cloth, studded with pearls. Her tiara sparkled with precious gemstones. By the time she reached the altar, she was clearly a queen.
But for how long?
Jooris van der Straeten, Wikimedia Commons
24. She Fell Ill
Just months after her grand wedding, Elisabeth’s health took a turn. The cold weather of her new home and the grueling journey from Vienna left her weakened and some wondered if she would survive. However, Elisabeth was never one to give up that easily.
25. She Finally Entered Paris
After months of travel and poor weather, Elisabeth finally reached her new home: Paris. And the locals seemed happy to meet their queen at last. French and German dignitaries celebrated the union once again, probably hoping that Elisabeth’s marriage would bring peace between their nations as she brought everywhere she went. Unfortunately, things didn't actually go quite like they expected.
Theodor Josef Hubert Hoffbauer, Wikimedia Commons
26. She Had Her Coronation—Then Vanished
Finally settled in Paris, in late March of 1571, it was time for Elisabeth to take on her royal duties. The Archbishop of Reims crowned Elisabeth Queen of France in Saint-Denis to much fanfare. But then, curiously, Elisabeth retreated from public life altogether.
It wasn’t necessarily by choice.
Follower of François Clouet, Wikimedia Commons
27. She Was Into PDAs
Regardless of the fact that her marriage had been a political one, Elisabeth could scarcely have been happier. And she let everyone know it. Much to the delighted surprise of courtiers and nobles, Elisabeth openly kissed her husband, publicly displaying the affection she had for him. Even so, she had to compete to win his heart.
Universal History Archive, Getty Images
28. She Had Competition
Not everyone at court welcomed the new queen with excitement. Charles’s long-standing mistress, Marie Touchet, for one ,was less than impressed. She reportedly quipped, “The German girl doesn’t scare me,” in reference to Elisabeth’s marriage to her lover. Unfortunately, she was right—Charles’ heart remained elsewhere.
29. Her Husband Wandered
For a time, Charles doted on Elisabeth, fawning over his new, young bride. But that lasted about as long a wheel of brie cheese in the sun. Before long, Charles had gone back to old habits—and to his old mistress. Even so, the couple maintained a warm and gentle relationship with Elisabeth’s devotion to their marriage never faltering.
She just couldn’t know the full truth.
Unknown artistUnknown artist, Wikimedia Commons
30. She Stayed Sheltered
The cloistered Viennese court that Elisabeth had grown up in left her ill-prepared for the free-wheeling, liberal “excesses” of life in Paris. Wanting to protect and preserve his new bride’s innocence, Charles worked with his mother to conceal the debauchery of the Parisian court from Elisabeth. They may have been too successful.
Didier Descouens, Wikimedia Commons
31. She Was Kept Out In The Dark
Elisabeth might have been Queen of France—but she was queen in name only. Charles, at the behest of his domineering mother, Catherine de’ Medici, didn’t just keep scandals away from Elisabeth—he kept everything away from her. On Catherine’s orders, Elisabeth never took part in state affairs. But, it’s not like she could have even if she wanted to.
Workshop of Santi di Tito, Wikimedia Commons
32. She Struggled With French
Growing up, part of Elisabeth’s education had been languages. Just not the one she needed. Though she spoke four languages—German, Spanish, Latin, and Italian—with ease, she could barely make out a sentence in French. Worse yet, despite her best efforts, she found the language difficult to learn.
It was all very isolating. Until she made an important friend.
33. She Had A Scandalous Friend
Few (if any) at the French court met Elisabeth’s high, Austrian moral standards. But that didn’t stop her from making friends. In fact, her choice of best friend left everyone perplexed: her scandalous sister-in-law, Margaret of Valois. The two bonded despite Margaret’s less-than-virtuous reputation. Thankfully, Elisabeth didn’t take after her new friend.
Unidentified painter, Wikimedia Commons
34. She Turned To Her Needle
Elisabeth managed to conceal her disgust and contempt for the decadence of the French court—but only barely. When it all became too much for her, Elisabeth sought peace in simpler pleasures. She filled her days with embroidery, reading, and simple acts of charity. She was almost too good for her own good.
Circle of Jean Clouet / Follower of Jean Clouet, Wikimedia Commons
35. She Prayed—A Lot
Of all the moral affronts that bothered Elisabeth, she most detested the Christians—or their lack thereof. Namely, she struggled with the loose observance of Christian values amongst those who claimed to believe. So, she decided to lead by example. Elisabeth attended mass twice daily and prayed almost constantly. Her Catholic devotion would soon cause problems at court.
Harry Willson Watrous, Wikimedia Commons
36. She Refused To Bend
While Elisabeth tried to remain above the fray of politics, she also refused to compromise her Catholic faith—particularly not for Protestants. So, when the Huguenot leader, Gaspard II de Coligny, made a move to kiss her hand, Elisabeth’s reaction caused a stir. Revolted, the Catholic queen turned away.
However strong her reaction may have been, she wasn’t cruel.
37. She Heard The News
Though she openly rejected Protestantism (and its leaders), Elisabeth believed in mercy. So, when she learned about the bloody and brutal events of Saint Bartholomew's Day in 1572, she was heartbroken. She would not have the blood of Protestants on her hands—nor her husband’s.
Cantonal Museum of Fine Arts, Wikimedia Commons
38. Her Husband Was Responsible
When Elisabeth asked if her husband knew about the slaughter of Protestants on this holy day, she was shocked to learn that he had, allegedly, “initiated” the bloodshed. “Oh, my God!” she exclaimed. “What is this? Who are these counselors who gave him such advice? My God, I ask of you to forgive him”.
Didier Descouens, Wikimedia Commons
39. She Begged For Mercy
Instead of confronting her husband, Elisabeth did what she always did: prayed. According to contemporary reports, Elisabeth wept and begged God to forgive her husband, meeting his apparent cruelty with mercy. When she heard the pleas from foreign Protestants, she secured promises to spare their lives.
Life, she was about to learn, was too precious to waste.
40. She Didn’t Celebrate
While Catholic leaders and courtiers toasted the bloodshed of their Protestant countrymen, Elisabeth recoiled. At the time, she was seven months pregnant and the idea of hostilities horrified her and she refused to join their public celebrations. She showed compassion not by proclamation—but by mourning what so many others cheered.
41. She Gave Birth To Her Hope
Two months after the tragedy of Saint Bartholomew’s Day, Elisabeth fulfilled her promise of bringing peace and light into the world when she gave birth to a fille de France. In the Louvre Palace, to much fanfare and excitement, she delivered the only child she would ever have; Marie Elisabeth.
Her happiness would be short-lived.
Francois Clouet / Unidentified painter, Wikimedia Commons
42. She Wept In Silence
Elisabeth had barely welcomed her daughter into the world when she found herself losing her husband—and everything he represented. As Charles IX slipped away into the hereafter in mid-1574, she stood vigil at his side, ever the dutiful wife. According to the memoirist, Brantôme, Elisabeth wept “tender” and “secret” tears.
She may not have been single for long.
43. She Turned Down Her Brother-In-Law
Charles’ passing broke Elisabeth’s heart—and the fragile alliance between France and Austria. Before Charles’ corpse had even gone cold, Elisabeth’s father proposed another royal match to mend the rift: Charles’ younger brother, King Henry III. Both Elisabeth and Henry flatly refused the arrangement. Her heart was made up.
Attributed to Étienne Dumonstier, Wikimedia Commons
44. She Became The White Queen
As was customary, Elisabeth went into a 40-day mourning period for her departed husband. And once her mourning ended, she emerged as a symbol of the ultimate Catholic widow: serene, pure, and ever faithful. She donned the traditional white garb of a widow and earned herself the moniker La Reine Blanche, “The White Queen”. Then she made an intensely final decision...
Jakob de Monte, Wikimedia Commons
45. She Said Her Final Goodbye
Under pressure from her father, Elisabeth couldn’t remain in France and had to begin the arduous journey back to Vienna. However, before her departure, she made one last detour. On August 28, 1575, she visited her infant daughter Marie Elisabeth at Amboise. Unbeknownst to her, it would be the last time they ever saw each other.
46. She Suffered Another Loss
Back in Vienna, Elisabeth fell back into her role as a princess of the Holy Roman Empire and moved into her childhood home, the Stallburg. For a time, peace returned—until 1578, when tragedy struck again. Her beloved daughter, then only five years old, passed on. Elisabeth, the White Queen, was now truly alone.
And alone, she would remain.
47. She Would Not Remarry
For most, widowhood was a state of weakness. But Elisabeth, in her faith, found strength in her solitude. So, when King Philip II of Spain proposed marriage after his own wife passed, Elisabeth’s answer was swift and legendary. “The Queens of France,” she told him, “do not remarry”.
No king could sway her heart again. At least, no earthly king.
Attributed to Salomon Noveliers, Wikimedia Commons
48. She Built A Heavenly Haven
By 1580, Elisabeth had completely devoted herself to a life of faith. She bought land near her home and founded the Convent of Poor Clares Mary, Queen of Angels. Elisabeth devoted the convent to “the exercise of piety, relief of the poor, and health care”. And she turned no one—absolutely no one—away.
DEA, A. DAGLI ORTI, Getty Images
49. She Helped The Forgotten
Elisabeth’s faith wasn’t just a set of beliefs—she practiced what she preached and prayed for. In addition to the poor and destitute, Elisabeth even supported impoverished noblewomen who, through circumstances similar to hers, had titles and little else. She even restored great churches and cathedrals, including the ruined All Saints Chapel in Prague.
Francesco Gasparetti, Wikimedia Commons
50. She Treasured Her Saint
To honor her spiritual namesake and lifelong role model, Elisabeth of Hungary, Elisabeth acquired relics for her convent. In 1588, her brother Maximilian granted her part of the saint’s bones from Marburg. Elisabeth kept them in the chapel, as a quiet tribute to a woman whose life had been an inspiration for her own.
She was, herself, irreplaceable.
Universal History Archive, Getty Images
51. She Was The Best Of Them
In January of 1592, at the tender age of 37, Elisabeth of Austria followed her departed husband into the afterlife. True to form, she chose to be buried under a plain marble slab in the convent she built. Her mother, Empress Maria, grieved her in Spanish, saying, “El mejor de nosotros es muerto”—”The best of us is [gone]”.
DEA., A. DAGLI ORTI, Getty Images
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