Just as out from the flames come the Phoenix, from the ashes of an identity, devastated, came Margaret of Austria, the most influential female of her time. Married into the highest echelons of European monarchy, queen of France, princess of Spain, and duchess of savoy, the security of destiny proved false, leaving the young Margaret married thrice and widowed twice. And yet, this unplanned destiny was transformative, forming her into the hand that moved the puzzle pieces of European diplomacy.

Married at two years of age to the dauphin of France, by twelve, Margaret of Austria found herself cast aside and returned to her father, the Holy Roman Emperor. A second marriage, to the unrivaled and expanding kingdom of Spain in its golden age, was soon arranged, placing her in the coveted position as infanta and future Queen of Spain and all that was to be discovered in the New World. Margaret blossomed under the tutelage of her mother-in-law, Queen Isabel of Castile, adapting her identity to her place as the future Queen of Spain. All that was hoped for, shattered with the death of her Spanish groom. Returning to the Hapsburg courts of her family, Margaret’s years transpire alongside her brother and closest companion, Philip. But decadence and desire of political dominance jades him, and soon Margaret is forced to serve as his political pawn and marry again. This time, she chooses. Marrying for love, Margaret weds the handsome Duke of Savoy, childhood mate and brother of her best friend, Louise of Savoy (future mother to King François I). Her experience of love within the bonds of marriage is only made more gratifying by her first exercise of political power. But when her husband dies, followed by the death of her brother, Margaret is again made to return home, the devastation of her broken heart, rendered complete. And yet, life proves that there is always purpose to pain endured. Once returned to her family home, Margaret is entitled as governess over her nephew, the future Charles V, King of Spain and Holy Roman Emperor. But with an inheritance so vast that the world hasn’t seen its match since the days of Charlemagne, Charles has much to loose, and at five years of age with no protection from his parents, and colleagues to the likes of Francois I and Henry VIII, there is none but Margaret that can protect and secure his future. But in order to serve her nephew, she must be more than fulfill the role of a mother. She must also be his prime minister, council, and most devoted ally. Making use of her lessons under the regents and rulers of France, Spain, and Burgundy, Margaret becomes the leading force of the political arena dominated by male protagonists and becomes the bridge, leading from the generation of feudal warring kings, into the era of the Renaissance. Though the trajectory of Margaret’s life diverged from the traditional marriage and motherhood path, Margaret trail blazed her own path and through the course of her journey, defined her own identity and discovered her own freedom.