MARIA CHRISTINA OF AUSTRIA: (1574-1621) Princess of Transylvania and Moldavia, Sovereign regnant in 1598 when her ...

MARIA CHRISTINA OF AUSTRIA: (1574-1621) Princess of Transylvania and Moldavia, Sovereign regnant in 1598 when her husband Sigismund Bathory abdicated for the first time. Born Archduchess of Austria and sister of Holy Roman Emperor Ferdinand II. Rare L.S., Maria Christierna, one page, folio, 28th September [1597], to Alfonso Bishop of Larissano, Apostolic Nuncio to Warsaw, in Latin. The Princess thanks her correspondent for the letters previously received and indicates that they accept to participate in the conference of mediation and expects a good end to their affairs. With blank address leaf, bearing a royal paper seal affixed. With edges very slightly trimmed, otherwise G £400-600 The marriage between Maria Christina of Austria and Sigismund Bathory was regarded as a major political gain, as Sigismund was a former vassal of the Ottoman Empire, and was now establishing close ties with the Holy Roman Empire. Emperor Rudolf II appointed Sigismund Prince of the Holy Roman Empire and also secured the possession of Transylvania, if the couple remained without offspring. After long negotiations, the agreement was signed, however, this union proved to be completely unhappy. Sigismund, after a disastrous wedding night, refused to consummate the marriage and sent his wife to a fortress in Kovar Vara, where Maria Christina was kept as prisoner. After her husband second abdication Maria Christina went back to Austria to a convent where she would die.