Archduchess Maria Christina of Austria (1574–1621)

Maria Christina of Austria ( born November 10, 1574 Graz, † April 6, 1621 in Hall in Tirol ) was an Archduchess of Austria and by marriage Princess of Transylvania.

Life

Maria Christina was the daughter of Archduke Charles II of Austria - Styria (1540-1590) from his marriage to Maria Anna (1551-1608), daughter of the Bavarian Duke Albrecht V.

At the age of 20 years she was on August 6, 1595 White Castle with Prince Sigismund Báthory ( 1572-1613 ) married. The courtship took place on February 7, 1595 in Graz by Stephan Bocskai, the marriage contract was negotiated already a month later and the bride left Graz on June 15, accompanied by her mother and the Prince-Bishop George of Lavant and 6000 horsemen led by the German master. In Kassa diseased Maria Christina of a fever, what the onward journey was delayed.

The marriage was considered a great political gain, since Sigismund, previously a vassal of the Ottoman Empire, closely tied to the empire. Emperor Rudolf II appointed Sigismund addition to the princes of the empire, and this secured his property to Austria if he should remain without offspring. The agreement was confirmed by the Hungarian Diet in Bratislava on 16 January in 1595.

The unhappy marriage, which had been proven to never consummated, but was canceled in 1599 by Pope Clement VIII. Following the cancellation, she joined with her sister Eleanor in 1607 the noble ladies of Hall in Tirol and was there in 1612 colonel.