*review copy*
Raised to Rule: Educating Royalty at the Court of the Spanish Habsburgs, 1601-1634 by Martha K. Hoffman focuses on the children of King Philip III of Spain and his wife, Margaret of Austria.
They had five children who survived to adulthood and three children who died young. Their eldest daughter, Anne, went on to become Queen of France as the wife of Louis XIII. A second daughter, Maria, died young. The eldest son and heir was the future King Philip IV. The third daughter, Maria Anne, became Holy Roman Empress as the wife of Ferdinand III, Holy Roman Emperor. The second son, Charles, died unmarried at the age of 24. The third son, Ferdinand, became a cardinal. Another son and daughter both died young.
Raised to Rule is an in-depth look at how one raises a future monarch. The little princes and princesses learn from an early age that they have an important role to play, and every part of their education is planned down to the minute. Although the topic is quite interesting, I found the overall text a little boring. It can also be quite complicated, so perhaps it’s not so suitable for the casual reader who is interested in the Spanish royals. Overall, I’d have to say it’s very well-researched but a bit too dry.
Raised to Rule: Educating Royalty at the Court of the Spanish Habsburgs, 1601-1634 by Martha K. Hoffman is available now in the UK and the US.
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