Born: 15 September 1505, Spain
Died: 18 October 1558
Country most active: Netherlands
Also known as: Mary of Austria
Mary of Hungary was queen consort of Hungary and Bohemia from 13 March 1516 to 29 August 1526 as the wife of King Louis II, and governor of the Habsburg Netherlands from 28 January 1531 to 25 October 1555 following the death of her aunt Margaret. After her husband’s death in 1526, she ruled Hungary as regent for the new king, her brother, Ferdinand I.
As governor of the Netherlands, Mary dealt with riots, a difficult relationship with her oldest brother, Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor, and constant efforts to ensure peace between the Emperor and the King of France. She succeeded in creating unity between the provinces and securing for them a degree of independence from both France and the Holy Roman Empire.