"Non e bon governo comunicare i negotii alle donne": Princesses of Savoy and Mantua and the Habsburgs' Power in Early Modern Europe

During the last decade, Spanish and Italian historiographies have paid particular attention to the complex triangulation among the Imperial, Iberian, and Italian Habsburg lines, focusing on the dense network of political interests and diplomatic relationships. Female figures, however, deserve a more visible role, not only as consorts and regents, but also as influencial political forces inside their courts. Some individual cases can shed significant light on a dramatic period of European history: the Thirty Years War (1618-48). The war had deep political and economic impact in Northern Italy, and some territories— the Duchy of Savoy, the State of Milan, and the Duchy of Mantua, were directly involved. In particular, when Vincenzo II Gonzaga died in 1627, Carlo Emanuele I, duke of Savoy, attempted to conquer the small marquisate of Monferrato in 1613-17, sparking a war of succession as a result. Habsburg women were often the force behind these princes and their successors, worked together with ministers, advisers and international observers, and often shaped the course of talks and events. Catalina Micaela of Austria (1567-97), daughter of Philip II, sister of Isabel Clara Eugenia, and wife of Carlo Emanuele of Savoy; her daughters, Margherita (1593-1655), Maria Apollonia (1594-1656) and Francesca Caterina (1595-1636); Maria Gonzaga (1609-1660), Empress Eleonora I Gonzaga (1598-1655), and Isabella Clara of Austria (1629-85), regent of Mantua, had significant influence on political and dynastic matters: The princesses of Savoy flaunted their Habsburg identity by acting as Spanish Infantes, and openly gave their support to Kings Philip III and Philip IV. Maria Gonzaga (a Habsburg from her mother’s side and married to a French husband), ended up in the role of mediator between France and the Empire. Empress Eleonora and Isabella Clara, represented and defended the interests of the Empire and the Austrian branch of the dynasty.