MARY OF HUNGARY

(1505–1558)

This younger sister of Holy Ro man emperor Charles V of Habsburg married Louis II of Hungary. After he fell during the battle of Mohac against the Turks in 1526, she remained governor of Hungary but was installed as governor of the Low Countries after the death of her aunt Margaret of Austria in 1530. Mary was a loyal follower of her brother’s policy. As a conse quence, she often had to implement harsh measures against the Protestant sects, among others. She left office in 1555 when her brother abdicated.