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Margaret of Austria: Governor of the Netherlands and Early 16th-Century Europe's Greatest Diplomat Kindle Edition

by Rozsa Gaston (Author), Géza von Habsburg (Foreword), Susan Abernethy (Foreword) Format: Kindle Edition
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An Amazon Top 25 Biographies of Royalty Best Seller

◆ FIRST PLACE WINNER - 2023 CHAUCER Book Awards - Early Historical Fiction

◆ WINNER - 2023 READERS' FAVORITE Awards - Fiction-Historical-Personage

◆ Royalty ◆ Power ◆ Politics ◆ Love ◆ Struggle

Bestselling biographer and historian Sarah Gristwood, author of Game of Queens and The Tudors in Love, calls this tale of early 16th-century Europe's most brilliant power broker “Compelling and wholly convincing—at once a vividly readable novel and a long-overdue presentation of Europe's unsung heroine to the broad audience she deserves.”

Margaret of Austria was the most significant political negotiator of early 16th-century Europe. About as Austrian as French fries are French, she was born in Brussels in 1480, raised in France, married and widowed in Spain, then married and widowed again in Savoy by age twenty-four.

In 1506 Margaret’s life turned upside down when her brother Philip of Burgundy unexpectedly died in Spain. With their mother Juana of Castile insane, four children, heirs to the Habsburg empire, were left behind in the Burgundian-Habsburg Netherlands.

Margaret stepped in and took the reins.

Appointed by her father, Maximilian I, Margaret became governor of the Netherlands, then widened her role to broker the 1508 Treaty of Cambrai where Europe’s princes united against Venice.

Ferdinand of Spain, Henry Tudor then Henry VIII of England, Louis XII of France, and Louise of Savoy for Francis I all came to Margaret’s negotiation table. Under her deft diplomacy princes saw reason and wars were averted.

Enjoying political power, Margaret avoided remarriage. Then Henry VIII's right-hand man Charles Brandon turned her world upside down.

Margaret's court attracted Europe's brightest, including the young Anne Boleyn. Yet halfway through her rule Margaret was ousted by enemies. She won back her position with a comeback strategy as astute today as it was in 1517.

Click the READ NOW button to journey to the Renaissance with Margaret of Austria, who shot the fortunes of the House of Habsburg to the stars while setting a winning precedent for female rule in the Netherlands.

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  1. Print length
    429 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  4. Publication date
    March 7, 2023
  5. File size
    42285 KB
  6. Page Flip
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  7. Word Wise
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  8. Enhanced typesetting
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From the Publisher

CHAUCER Award 2023 1st Place for pre-1750s Historical Fiction

Beautifully written. Publishers Weekly 2023 BookLife Prize

Kirkus Reviews 0 rich in history filled iwth enticing drama a brilliant European power broker

A must-read for fans of The Other Boleyn Girl and Agincourt. - T. Pine

A long overdue presentation of Europe's unsung heroine to the broad audience she deserves. Gristwood

Only Margaret knew all the players and how to handle them.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Compelling and wholly convincing—at once a vividly readable novel and a long-overdue presentation of Europe's unsung heroine to the broad audience she deserves. This telling of Margaret's story is captivating on a personal level, and classily comprehensive on sixteenth-century diplomacy." - Sarah Gristwood, author ofThe Tudors in Love, Game of Queens

"Rich in history and filled with enticing drama, a diplomatic tale that celebrates the life of a brilliant European power broker of the early 16th century. Margaret emerges as a charming, savvy, and wily hero, capable of manipulating Europe's political chessboard." - Kirkus Reviews

"Beautifully written, without being overly flowerly, the prose draws readers in to Margaret's world, immersing them in the politics and power plays of the 15th and 16th centuries. With a strong narrative and compelling characters, Margaret of Austria offers readers insight into the life of one of history's most intriguing monarchs." - The BookLife Prize

In Margaret of Austria, Rozsa Gaston offers an engaging account of the life and achievements of one of the foremost prominent figures of her time. The book is a well-researched and meticulously crafted narrative, blending historical facts and fiction in a way that renders the story both informative and entertaining. Gaston's ability to balance intricate details of diplomatic events and relationships with the broader historical context makes this work a valuable resource for scholars of early modern Europe. Margaret of Austria ... will be embraced by readers interested in the history of women in power. - Readers' Favorite

"Gaston's is a deftly-drawn rendering of this historically significant woman who embraced leadership at a time when women were discouraged from leading." - Archduke Géza von Habsburg of Austria, author of Princely Treasures

From the Back Cover

Margaret of Austria was the most significant political negotiator of early 16th-century Europe. About as Austrian as French fries are French, she was born in Brussels in 1480, raised in France, married and widowed in Spain, then married and widowed again in Savoy by age twenty-four.

In 1506 Margaret's life turned upside down when her brother Philip of Burgundy unexpectedly died in Spain. With their mother Juana of Castile insane, the future Charles V and his three sisters, heirs to the Habsburg empire, were left behind in the Burgundian-Habsburg Netherlands.

Margaret stepped in and took the reins.

Appointed by her father, Maximilian I, Margaret became governor of the Netherlands, then widened her role to broker the 1508 Treaty of Cambrai where Europe's princes united against Venice.

Ferdinand of Spain, Henry Tudor then Henry VIII of England, Louis XII of France, and Louise of Savoy for Francis I all came to Margaret's negotiation table. Under her deft diplomacy princes saw reason and wars were averted.

Enjoying political power, Margaret avoided remarriage. Then Henry VIII's right-hand man Charles Brandon turned her world upside down.

Margaret's court attracted Europe's brightest, including the young Anne Boleyn. Yet halfway through her rule Margaret was ousted by enemies. She won back her position with a comeback strategy as astute today as it was in 1517.

Journey to the Renaissance with Margaret of Austria, who shot the fortunes of the House of Habsburg to the stars while setting a winning precedent for female rule in the Netherlands.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0BKTL5882
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Renaissance Editions (March 7, 2023)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ March 7, 2023
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 42285 KB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 429 pages
  • Customer Reviews:

About the author

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Rozsa Gaston

Rozsa Gaston

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ROZSA GASTON is a historical fiction author who writes books on women who reach for what they want out of life.

She is the author of Margaret of Austria, 𝗙𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝗪𝗶𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗿 of the 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯 𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗨𝗖𝗘𝗥 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱 for Pre-1750s Historical Fiction, the four-book Anne of Brittany Series: Anne and Charles; Anne and Louis, 𝗚𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗙𝗶𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗪𝗶𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗿 of the 𝟮𝟬𝟭𝟴 𝗣𝗨𝗕𝗟𝗜𝗦𝗛𝗘𝗥𝗦 𝗪𝗘𝗘𝗞𝗟𝗬 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸𝗟𝗶𝗳𝗲 𝗣𝗿𝗶𝘇𝗲; Anne and Louis: Rulers and Lovers; and Anne and Louis Forever Bound, 𝗙𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝗪𝗶𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗿 of the 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟮 𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗨𝗖𝗘𝗥 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱 for Pre-1750s Historical Fiction.

Other works include Sense of Touch, Marguerite and Gaston, The Least Foolish Woman in France, Paris Adieu, Black is Not a Color, Budapest Romance, Running from Love, and Dog Sitters.

Gaston studied European history at Yale and received her Master's degree in international affairs from Columbia. She worked at Institutional Investor magazine, then as a columnist for The Westchester Guardian.

She is currently working on a book on Anne Boleyn at Margaret of Austria's court. She lives in Bronxville, New York with her family.

Her motto? History matters.

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
4.5 out of 5
653 global ratings

Customers say

Customers find the character resilience strong but passionate. They also find the storyline interesting and triumphantly breathes life into historical characters. Readers describe the book as a book of political courage, personal joy and sorrow, and historical accuracy. They find the writing style very well written and a joy to read.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

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StorylineWriting styleCharacter resilienceResearch
23 customers mention "Storyline"23 positive0 negative

Customers find the storyline interesting, captivating, and fascinating. They also say the book is inspiring, full of drama, passion, and intrigue. Customers also appreciate the historical accuracy and character development.

"...This book was intriguing and filled with some much information! Great for anyone who loves to learn about history." Read more

"...It was very empowering to read some amazing things Margaret accomplished and it was written with a good personal touch that makes her feel "alive."" Read more

"This book was so interesting I just couldn't put it down!..." Read more

"wonderfully told story; loved the photos" Read more

11 customers mention "Writing style"11 positive0 negative

Customers find the writing style very well written, imaginative, and captivating. They appreciate the author's attention to detail and perceptive insight.

"...some amazing things Margaret accomplished and it was written with a good personal touch that makes her feel "alive."" Read more

"...Very well written and I highly recommend it to anyone who is interested in competent and charismatic women of the Renaissance era." Read more

"...There's plenty of dialogue, character development, historical accuracy, and just all around great writing...." Read more

"It’s beautifully written and is historically accurate with the dates, places and players, but it’s presented more as a Historical Re-enactment..." Read more

4 customers mention "Character resilience"4 positive0 negative

Customers find the character resilience strong but passionate, and impressive.

"...book is a gem for history enthusiasts and those who enjoy engaging tales of resilience, diplomacy, and female empowerment." Read more

"...detail, Rozsa Gaston’s Margaret of Austria highlights the tenacity, resilience, and grace of a woman who crafted a unique role for herself in a time..." Read more

"...Margaret possessed strength, humor, compassion, diplomacy and smarts beyond compare. Put this book on your reading list!" Read more

"Enjoyed this beautifully written story of a strong but passionate woman. A book of political courage, personal joy and sorrow...." Read more

3 customers mention "Research"3 positive0 negative

Customers find the book's research intriguing and filled with information.

"...This book was intriguing and filled with some much information! Great for anyone who loves to learn about history." Read more

"...I am truly impressed with the scope of research the author went through, and not only was this a part of early "European History", it also made..." Read more

"...Very readable and informative without going too deep." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

Glenda ODell
5.0 out of 5 stars Interesting historical fiction !!
Reviewed in the United States on July 11, 2024
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Margaret of Austria lived during the 16 th Century. She was the most effective leader of those times, governing several places before serving as the governor of the Neverland’s. An excellent negotiator she arranged treaties to bring peace to Europe and was instrumental in helping her nephew become the leader of the Holy Roman Empire. (time of Henry the 8th, Martin Luther, and the Spanish explorers!!!
One person found this helpful
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Miles R.
4.0 out of 5 stars Good Period/Historical Read
Reviewed in the United States on March 30, 2024
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I haven’t heard much or did so know much about this queen but I do love to learn about history. This book was intriguing and filled with some much information! Great for anyone who loves to learn about history.
2 people found this helpful
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Lindsay R*
5.0 out of 5 stars Interesting History!
Reviewed in the United States on May 2, 2024
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I like learning about major historical events and figures, and it was fun to dive into what I would have called a "side figure." It was very empowering to read some amazing things Margaret accomplished and it was written with a good personal touch that makes her feel "alive."
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LJVH
5.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyed this book
Reviewed in the United States on July 2, 2024
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Gave insight into the Middle Ages Burgindian court
and the tie in to the Spanish and English courts of Isabella of Castille and the Yorkist monarchy.
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Aunt Debbie
5.0 out of 5 stars Good book
Reviewed in the United States on May 20, 2024
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Good book. She was for a time Catherine of Arabia's sister-in-law. I never knew the very interesting rest of her life story as a powerbroker. She hosted/tutored the young Anne Boleyn as a tween and teen.
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Dalma C. Grandjean
4.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating portrait of a brilliant woman
Reviewed in the United States on February 27, 2024
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Prior to reading this book, I knew nothing about the remarkable Marguerite of Austria, who devoted her life to promoting the Hapsburg dynasty which was to last another 375 years after her death. She was the daughter of Holy Roman Emperor elect Maximillian and the aunt of Holy Roman Emperor and King Charles of Spain.
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anonymous
5.0 out of 5 stars Great story!
Reviewed in the United States on March 28, 2024
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This book was so interesting I just couldn't put it down! I've read other books on Margaret of Austria, but this book is absolutely the best one I've read by far! The characters are all memorable, especially Margaret, and I loved how they come to life in this story. Very well written and I highly recommend it to anyone who is interested in competent and charismatic women of the Renaissance era.
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Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Great Role Model rfor Women
Reviewed in the United States on May 11, 2024
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wonderfully told story; loved the photos
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Top reviews from other countries

K.J. Morgan
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Historical Biographical novel about a fascinating woman
Reviewed in Canada on March 8, 2023
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Rozsa Gaston brings Archduchess Margaret of Austria, Regent of the Netherlands, to life in this fascinating biographical novel about one of the most powerful women of early 16th Century Europe.

The novel weaves between biography and fiction, filled with fascinating historical fact and detail coupled with lively dialogue and spirited narrative. The intricate minutiae of relationships—e.g., Margaret married successively the Dauphin of France, the Heir Apparent of Spain, and Duke of Savoy; and she was sister to Queen Catherine of Aragon in England, and sister-in-law to Duchess Louise de Savoy, to name a but a few—and diplomatic events can make the story heavy going for those who are not familiar with the characters and issues of the period. Yet Gaston writes with a light touch, bringing Margaret’s rich personal life into clear focus and she emerges as a charming and wily heroine. Gaston also begins with a brief explanation of Burgundy at the time, and a Cast of Characters to provide a context.

On to the story itself. After three unfortunate marriages in France, Spain and Savoy, well-chronicled by Gaston, Margaret comes into her own after 1504, when she is once again widowed. Refusing to marry again despite intense pressure from her father, Emperor Maximilian I, she returns to the Netherlands.

In 1506, Margaret’s life takes a dramatic change in direction when her brother Philip, Duke of Burgundy and King of Spain, dies unexpectedly in Spain at the age of 28. With their mother Queen Juana of Castile insane in Spain, the elder four children, including the underage Charles, heir to the duchy of Burgundy, were left orphaned in the Netherlands. Margaret stepped in to care for them. Appointed by her father, Margaret became governor of the Netherlands in 1507. Shen widened her role to broker the 1508 Treaty of Cambrai when Europe’s princes united against Venice.

When Charles came of age as Duke of Burgundy and King of Spain, her enemies ousted Margaret. She won back her position by convincing her nephew of her probity and loyalty and he named her Regent in the Netherlands, where she continued to defend the interests of that area until her death. During this event-filled time in Europe’s Renaissance, Gaston brings the early 16th century family wranglings, power struggles and diplomatic negotiations Margaret orchestrated to life.

This is an excellent book about a fascinating woman during a period in which women played an important, and to-date largely unrecognized, role. I recommend it highly.
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J.Bite
5.0 out of 5 stars One of history’s fascinating personalities
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 22, 2024
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This award-winning book offers a compelling and convincing narrative that vividly brings to life the story of one of Europe's most brilliant power brokers of the early 16th century. Portraying Margaret's journey from her early years to her rise as a formidable political negotiator. Engaging storytelling shed light on Margaret's significant diplomatic achievements, capturing her resilience and strategic genius. A must-read for history enthusiasts, providing a refreshing recognition of Margaret's legacy.
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Paolo Sbalchiero
5.0 out of 5 stars A Riveting Journey Through Renaissance Intrigue
Reviewed in Italy on April 22, 2024
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Margaret of Austria springs to life in this expertly woven tale of power, politics, and personal ambition. Captivating and richly detailed, the book offers a masterclass in 16th-century diplomacy, presenting Margaret not just as a political figure but as a woman ahead of her time. Engaging, educational, and absolutely unputdownable!
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Berry Beresford
5.0 out of 5 stars fascinating history
Reviewed in Australia on May 17, 2024
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This is the kind of book that makes me want to immerse myself totally in history… it’s the ‘story’ part - who did what and why, that makes the characters jump off the page and live. I have loved reading this book. I think you will, also.
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Francesco
5.0 out of 5 stars Good
Reviewed in Italy on April 17, 2024
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This biographical account of Margaret of Austria provides a detailed depiction of her role as a formidable diplomat and savvy leader. The author uses captivating writing and thoroughly researched details to explore the intricate nature of Renaissance political dynamics as experienced by Margaret
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