Anne of Austria 1601-66
Queen of France

Born in Valladolid, Spain, she was the eldest daughter of Philip III of Spain and wife of Louis XIII of France, whom she married in 1615. The marriage was unhappy, and much of it was spent in virtual separation, due to the influence of the king's Chief Minister Cardinal Richelieu, who aimed to restrict her influence. In 1638, however, they had their first son, Louis, who succeeded his father (1643) as Louis XIV. Anne was appointed regent (1643-51), and with Richelieu having died in 1642 she wielded power with her favourite, Cardinal Mazarin, whom she may have secretly married, as Prime Minister. They ruled France during the Frondes, and after Louis technically came of age (1651). After Mazarin's death (1661) she retired to the convent of Val de Gr�ce, and Louis XIV became absolute monarch.

Bibliography: Ruth Kleinman, Anne of Austria (1986)