I enjoy learning how a Catholic monarch intertwines her faith with worldly power and a privileged station in life. One interesting monarch is Isabella Clara Eugenia, a daughter of King Philip II of Spain. She was an Infanta of Spain, Archduchess of Austria, and the joint sovereign of Southern Netherlands. In 1599 this royal princess married the Archduke Albert of Austria and after his death became sole governess of the Southern Netherlands, now modern Belgium.
The reign of Albert and Isabella is considered the “Golden Age of the Netherlands” and their court at Brussels was a leading political and artistic center in Europe. Their reign brought a period of peace and stability to the economy of the Southern Netherlands. The Archdukes, also, consolidated the authority of the House of Habsburg over the territory of the Southern Netherlands and reconciled previous anti-Spanish sentiments.
When Albert died in 1621, Isabella became the governor of the Netherlands on behalf of the King of Spain and joined the order of the Sisters of St. Clare. Many characterize Isabel as having combined diplomatic savvy, personal charisma and firm religious moral principles. Her death in 1633 marked the political and economic eclipse of the vast Spanish empire created by her grandfather, Emperor Charles V, and her father, King Philip II. Her lifetime was obviously rich in experiences ranging from a reigning monarch to a pious nun—fascinating.