La maternidad de las reinas consortes bajo control

El caso de María Luisa de Orleans

Abstract

In any hereditary monarchy, the primary mission of a queen consort was to produce heirs, leading to intense scrutiny of their private lives. This was particularly pronounced in 17th-century Spain, as seen in the case of María Luisa de Orleans. Upon her arrival in Madrid in 1679, expectations for her to conceive were immense, with pressures from the court, clergy, and public. Despite efforts to ensure her health and fertility through diet and lifestyle, the anxieties persisted. The discourse surrounding her delayed menstrual cycles and false alarms demonstrates the desperation for an heir. This study examines the cultural and political significance of royal fertility and the impact on the lives of queens consort, using the case of María Luisa de Orleans as a lens.