All About Royal Families

A few weeks ago, I had the chance to visit the Rubens House (in Dutch: Rubenshuis) in Antwerp. Rubens House Antwerp, Belgium This was the former house and studio of the famous artist Pieter Paul Rubens. Now it is a museum. On this link you'll find more information about the museum.  Pieter Paul Rubens was born on June 28th. 1577 in Siegen (now Germany). His parents were Jan Rubens and Maria Pypelincks.  Jan Rubens became a legal advisor of Anna of Saxony  (wife of William of Orange) and later he was her lover.  When this was discovered Jan was captured. Later the family moved to Cologne and in 1589, two years after his father's death Rubens mother took her family to Antwerp There Pieter Paul Rubens learned his craft by Tobias Verhaecht. In 1600 Rubens made his 'Grand Tour' and traveled to Italy. In 1603 Rubens had a diplomatic mission. He had to offer gifts from the court of the Gonzaga family to the Royal Court of Philip II

Maria Theresa of Spain was born on September 10th. 1638 at the Royal Monastery of El Escorial, as a daughter of  King Philip IV of Spain and his wife Elisabeth of France.  Maria Therese of Spain, Source picture: Wikipedia Maria Theresa was a member of the House of Habsburg and she could use the titles Infanta of Spain and Archduchess of Austria as well.  In 1658 Anne of Austria, the mother of King Louis XIV of  France (who was born in Spain) wanted to end the hospitalities between her native country and her adopted one, France, so she  desired a marriage between her son and Maria Theresa of Spain. The negotiations for this marriage contract were very hard. There was a fear that France would overrule Spain.... Finally on June 7th. 1660 Maria Theresa of Spain left her native country and on June 9th the wedding took place. On August 26th. 1660 the Royal Couple made their  traditional Joyous Entry into Paris. It was said that Louis was fai