Henrietta Maria of Macedonia

Henrietta Maria was queen-consort of Wessex as the wife of King James I. She was the mother to his successor James II of Wessex. In Wessex, by official decree of her husband, she was known as Queen Mary, but she did not like this name and signed all her letters officially as "Henrietta M".

She was a popular queen during her life. She immerssed herself into politics and briefly served as the Ambassabor to Macedonia during her husbands later reign.

She is most remember for her impact on fashion and culture.

 **Children** | The Princess Mary of Wessex
The Crown Prince James of Wessex
The Prince Henry of Wessex
 **House** | House of Vendome (by birth)
House of Beaumont (by marriage)

## Early Life

Henrietta Maria was the youngest daughter of Emperor Philip I of Cornith and his wife Henrietta of Austurias. She had two older sisters Elisabeth and Christine. At the time of her birth, her birth was not marked by any celebration as her parents despartly needed to produce a male heir for the succession.
She grew up in a close knit family who often spent time away from the royal court to live a quiet domestic life. At the birth her brother, the future Emperor Philip II of Corinth, the family grew \_

## Regency Period

Henrietta's father died when she was just a teenager, leaving her brother in need of a regency. Alexander Louis, The Duke of Troy was left as Regent and President of the Regency Council in the Philip I's will, as he was the eldest ranking prince of the blood behind the Royal Family.
Revolt \_ It was decided that the Duke of Troy would be banished from court and he and his family would move to \_, where he would be given the post of Govenor General.
This led to a falling out with some members of the Duke's immediate family. Most famously Henrietta and Louise du Carthage became biter rivals up into their old age.
From this point on Empress Henrietta became sole Regent and disbanded the Regency Council. The goverance of the country was left solely under her control and with a key group of advisors. It was around this time that the first serious matches for Henrietta's hand in marriage began to \_. Unlike her eldest sister, who married Victor, The Duke of Parma, Henrietta did not marry right away. While there were possible suitors, the Princess preffered to make a match close to home. Candidates included Alfonso III, The King of Austurias and Prince \_ even Nicholas Henry, The Prince Lambelle was considered. Eventually none would materialize.

## Brother's Reign

The death of her mother, Emperess Henrietta caused a rift to grow between her and her older sister The Princess Christine. As the Emperor, their brother, remained unmarried it was split between Christine and Henrietta to become the official court hostess.

The two often quarled over the position, Christine who was the oldest thought naturally the position should go to her, but Henrietta was the \_. The two often set up rival courts and

Henrietta's frequently hosted Marie Adelaide, the wife of The Prince of Conde, Augusta Maria du Bagration; even her sister Catherine Meada, The Duchess of Metz. This led to political opinions to form around both courts in order pursuade the Emperor the their cause.

\_ at the time of her mother's death only one of Henrietta's siblings had married and none of them had produced any children. It was decided that the Emperor and Henrietta should make matches quickly in order to secure dynastic allies.

## Marriage

Henrietta married her husband as an Adult in Wessex. The marriage was part of a series of anglo-alliances against the franco countries, including the future marriage of her cousin Margueritta Louisa du Carthage to James I, Grand Duke of Windenberg.  The wedding thus took place at a time when Wessex's Franco-pro foreign policy was begin replace by a Macedonian-Pro policy.
As Queen, Henrietta brought over many noble Macedonian ladies, including the infamous Theresa du Estrees who would later become the long standing mistress of Philip II as The Duchess of Beufort and Estrees.
The new Queen also brought to Wessex with her a huge quantity of expensive possessions; including diamonds, pearls, rings, diamond buttons, satin and velvet dresses, embroidered cloaks, skirts, velvet chapelles; 10,000 dollars worth of plate, chandeliers, pictures, books, vestments and bedroom sets for her, her ladies in waiting, twelve Oratorian priests and her pages.
Henrietta and her husband enjoyed many happy years of marriage, forming a deep and loving relationship. The couple would go on to four childen together.

1. The Princess Mary of Wessex
2. The Crown Prince James of Wessex
3. The Prince Henry, The Duke of Chelsea
4. The Princess Henrietta of Wessex

## Queen

Henrietta Maria had a strong interest in the arts, and her patronage of various activities was one of the various ways in which she tried to shape court events. Henrietta Maria and James were "dedicated and knowledgeable collectors" of paintings.