Maria Theresa of Spain

Maria Theresa of Spain was the Spanish infanta who became queen consort of Louis XIV. Her marriage formed part of the Peace of the Pyrenees, and disputes over her inheritance later provided Louis with claims used in French expansion.

Maria Theresa of Spain also held the offices or ranks of Infante of Spain, Queen Consort of France, and Consort of France. Maria Theresa of Spain belonged to the Spanish House of Habsburg; House of Bourbon and operated within Kingdom of France; Spain; Kingdom of Portugal. Maria Theresa of Spain was born in Madrid and died in Versailles.

Antonia Fraser’s Love and Louis XIV examines Maria Theresa as Louis XIV’s Spanish-born queen, whose marriage helped seal the Peace of the Pyrenees but whose household had to coexist with the king’s succession of mistresses. Fraser uses her position to contrast dynastic duty and legitimate queenship with the informal power of royal favourites, while also tracing the children and inheritance questions produced by the marriage.