MARGARET

known in Scottish history as the Maid of Norway, was the grandchild of Alexander III of Scotland. Her mother was the wife of Eric of Norway. While on her way to Scotland in 1290 to be betrothed to the son of Edward I of England, she died in the Orkneys. As might be expected from the death of a young princess under similar circumstances, tradition has surrounded her name with no little romance. There were suspicions of foul play.

MARGARET (1353-1412), the Semiramis of the North. Her husband, Hakon, was king of Norway. Her son, Olaf, she managed to have elected king of Denmark. On the death of her husband and son she made herself queen of both countries. She defeated Albert of Sweden and obtained possession of the throne of that country. By the treaty of Calmar in 1397 she united the three countries in one kingdom and was for a time the most powerful monarch in Europe.

MARGARET OF ANJOU (1430-1482), the queen of Henry VI of England. She was the daughter of Rene the Good, who laid claim to the throne of Naples. Henry was a man of weak mind. Margaret was practically king. Inasmuch as he was incapacitated to reign, a descendant of an older branch of the royal family laid claim to the throne, precipitating the Wars of the Roses. Warwick, the king maker, fought against her, then for her. She was defeated finally in the noted battle of Tewkesbury. She and her son were made prisoners. Her son was led into the presence of the victorious prince and butchered. Her husband was murdered soon after in the tower. Margaret was held a prisoner for four years and was then ransomed by the king of France.

MARGARET OF AUSTRIA (1480-1530) was the daughter of Maximilian I. She was educated at the French court. She was married twice. Her first husband was John of Aragon; her second husband, the prince of Savoy. In 1507 her father made her regent of the Netherlands. She was an able ruler, but has left an unfavorable impression through a persecution of the early Protestant reformers. She took a prominent part with Louise of Savoy in negotiating the peace of Cambrai in 1529, called on that account, "The Peace of the Dames."

MARGARET (OR MARGUERITE) OF VALOIS (1492-1549), was a sister of Francis I. She was married twice. Her second husband was Henry d'Albret of Navarre. She used her influence with Francis for the protection of the Huguenots. She was a patroness of men of letters. Rabelais and other literary characters frequented her home. She was the grandmother of Henry of Navarre.

MARGARET OF VALOIS (1553-1615), the daughter of Henry II and Catherine de Medici. She was a thorough de Medici. She was celebrated for beauty, learning, and looseness of conduct. She married Henry of Navarre, afterward Henry IV. Their marriage was dissolved by the pope. She visited Henry's second wife and appears to have been little disturbed by the divorce.

Margaret. The heroine of Goethe's Faust. See Faust