Maria Anna of Spain

Born 18 August 1606 to Philip III of Spain and Margaret of Austria, Maria Anna was floated as a bride for Charles, Prince of Wales — a prospect that triggered what became known as the "Spanish match" crisis across England and Scotland. She married Ferdinand III, Holy Roman Emperor, instead, becoming Empress and Queen of Germany, Hungary, and Bohemia. She took the regency multiple times during his absences, notably in 1645 when he was away in Bohemia. In Vienna she imported Spanish dress, Spanish music, Spanish everything — and worked to tighten the bond between the two Habsburg branches. She d…