Anne of Austria

Anne of Austria (1601-1666) was a queen of France. She was born in Valladolid, Spain as the daughter of Habsburg parents, Philip III, king of Spain, and Margaret of Austria. She was married to fourteen-year-old Louis XIII of France in 1615. The couple did not share a happy marriage and much of it was spent in virtual seperation. After being childless for twenty-two years their first son, Louis XIV, was born. Her second son, Phillipe, was born in 1640, who would later become duc d'Orléans. Louis XIII did not trust Anne to become sole regent to Louis XIV after his death and attempted to deprive her of her right. The king died in May 1643, and Louis XIV succeeded his father to the throne. Anne became regent to the young king from 1643 to 1651, ruling France in his place with the help of Cardinal Mazarin as prime minister. Anne and Mazarin faced a series of revolts known as the Fronde (1648-53) together and Mazarin was forced to leave Paris. The rebellions ended in October 1652 and Mazarin was allowed to return to Paris. Anne's regency ended in 1661 after Mazarin's death and Louis' ascension to the throne.