Maria Theresa of Spain

(queen)

(1638-1683)

   Infanta of Spain, queen of France

   The daughter of King Philip IV of Spain and Elisabeth of france, daughter of King henry iv, Maria Theresa was born in Madrid. she spent a somewhat unhappy childhood at her father's court, until for diplomatic reasons (to secure the Peace of the Pyrenees), she was married in 1660 to louis XIV of France. she then renounced all claims to the spanish throne. immediately after the marriage, however, it was apparent that she and the king had little in common and, although they had six children (only one lived to maturity and none survived Louis), he made no pretense of affection. The estrangement between them was ended at the insistence of françoise d'aubigné, marquise de main-tenon, the governess of the royal children and the king's mistress, who, as a deeply moral and religious person, wished the court to be respectable. Queen Maria Theresa always played a self-effacing role, supporting the king even in his infidelities. she died at Versailles shortly after the public reconciliation.