Mary Christina of Sicily de Bourbon 1 2
Another name for Mary was Maria Cristina di Borbone. General Notes: Queen of Spain, daughter of Francis I of the Two Sicilies. The fourth wife of Ferdinand VII, she persuaded him to confirm (1833) the original revocation (1789) of the Salic law to allow their daughter Isabella to succeed him. At the king’s death (1833) Maria Christina became regent for Isabella II. In the Carlist Wars (see Carlists) that this succession provoked, she was aided by the liberals, but the frequent changes in the constitution alienated their support. The opposition of Espartero forced her to resign the regency, and she went to France (1840). She returned after Espartero’s overthrow (1843) and regained influence. She had to yield to Espartero again in 1854 but remained a powerful figure to the end of Isabella’s turbulent reign in 1868. 3 Mary married Ferdinand VII of Spain de Bourbon, son of Charles IV of Spain de Bourbon and Maria Louisa of Parma de Bourbon, on 11 Dec 1829. (Ferdinand VII of Spain de Bourbon was born on 14 Oct 1784 and died on 29 Sep 1833 in Madrid, Spain.) |