QUEEN MARIANA OF AUSTRIA (SPAIN) - AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED 01/30/1653 CO-SIGNED BY: COUNTESS OF SALVATIERRA (ANTONIA MARCELA DE ACUÑA Y GUZMAN) - HFSID 52972

QUEEN MARIANA OF AUSTRIA (SPAIN) and COUNTESS OF SALVATIERRA (ANTONIA MARCELA DE ACUÑA Y GUZMAN)
These two signed pieces of correspondence discuss family and royalty gossip!
Autograph Letter Signed: "Yo La Reyna" and "La condesa de Salbatiera" in iron gall ink. 2p, 12x8¼ folded, 12x 16½ flat. In Spanish, translated in full: "Thank God I received the news I wanted to hear about the health of my daughter. I am very happy Your Highness does not have a headache anymore. May God protect Her Highness, she is very well and happy. She remembers Your Majesty too much and call Your Majesty every instant. I was in pain today and ate a little bit. May God protect Your Majesty. Palace, Janaury 13, 1653. The Countess of Salbatiera” and “Receiving your letter this morning made me very contented for the good health of my daughter, and now I have just heard the same news from the King. Thank God I am fine. Today I went to visit Our Lady of the Tornera. The weather is nice today, just a little cold. Give my regards to Maria Agustina, Dona Isabel and all my daughter's maids. May God protect you. Pardo, january 14, 1653. I, The Queen." Daughter of Holy Roman Emperor Ferdinand III, Queen Mariana of Austria (1634-1696) was destined to continue the tradition of intermarriage between the two branches of the Habsburg family. Accordingly, she became the second wife of King Philip IV of Spain, marrying him in 1649 at the young age of 14. In 1621, the King inherited a declining throne with economic woes caused by lengthy wars. Mariana successfully produced an heir for King Philip, Charles II (1661-1700). Upon Philip's death in 1665, Mariana served for a decade as regent for Charles. During her regency, she recognized Portugal's independence (1668) and renewed war with France (1673-1675) even though her stepdaughter Maria Teresa was married (1660) to King Louis XIV as part of a peace treaty with the French. The sickly and weak-minded Charles could not produce an heir, and his death caused the War of the Spanish Succession (1701-1713), which resulted in Maria's grandson Philip of Anjou inheriting the Spanish Crown. Sealed. Lightly toned. Light surface creases. Edges slightly worn and soiled. Small ink stains throughout. Small tears along edges. Otherwise, fine condition.