Margaret of Bavaria, Marchioness of Mantua

Margaret of Bavaria
Margaret of Bavaria
Born	1442 Munich
Died	1479 Mantua
Noble family	House of Wittelsbach
Spouse(s)	Federico I Gonzaga, Marquess of Mantua
Father	Albert III, Duke of Bavaria
Mother	Anna of Brunswick-Grubenhagen-Einbeck

Margaret of Bavaria (1442–1479) was a Marchioness consort of Mantua, married in 1463 to Federico I Gonzaga, Marquess of Mantua.^[1] She was regent in the absence of her spouse during his military campaign in 1479.

Margaret was the daughter of Albert III, Duke of Bavaria and Anna of Brunswick-Grubenhagen-Einbeck.^[2] The marriage between Margaret and Frederico helped trading relations between the two states.

Margaret was not able to speak or read Italian when she arrived, but the relationship with Frederico was described as happy. The court was dominated by her mother-in-law, but Margaret avoided all conflicts.

During his war against Aragon, Frederico appointed Margaret as regent in his absence during the spring and summer of 1479, during which she died.

Margaret and Frederico had:

• Clara Gonzaga (1464–1503) married in 1482 to Gilbert of Bourbon-Montpensier Duke of Sessa;^[2] parents of Charles III, Duke of Bourbon.
• Francesco II Gonzaga (1466–1519) married in 1490 to Isabella d'Este;^[2] parents in law of Francesco Maria I della Rovere Duke of Urbino and nephew of Guidobaldo da Montefeltro
• Sigismondo Gonzaga (1469–1525)
• Elisabetta Gonzaga (1471–1526) married in 1489 to Guidobaldo da Montefeltro Duke of Urbino^[2]
• Maddelena (1472–1490) married in 1489 to Giovanni Sforza Lord of Pesaro and Gradara^[2]
• Giovanni Gonzaga (1474–1525) married in 1493 Laura Bentivoglio (d.1523)^[2]

• James, Carolyn (2020). A Renaissance Marriage: The Political and Personal Alliance of Isabella d'Este & Francesco Gonzaga, 1490-1519. Oxford University Press.
• Jansen, S. (2008). Debating Women, Politics, and Power in Early Modern Europe. Palgrave Macmillan.