Infanta Adelgundes, Duchess of Guimarães
Encyclopedia
Infanta Adelgundes of Portugal, Duchess of Guimarães (10 November 1858 – 15 April 1946) was the fifth child and fourth daughter of Miguel of Portugal
and his wife Adelaide of Löwenstein-Wertheim-Rosenberg
. A member of the House of Braganza
by birth, Adelgundes became a member of the House of Bourbon-Parma
through her marriage to Prince Henry of Bourbon-Parma, Count of Bardi
. She was also the Regent of the Monarchic Representation of Portugal and for that reason was granted the title of Duchess of Guimarães, usually reserved for the Head of the House.
, Germany
. Her father died few days after her eight birthday and Aldegundes and her siblings were educadated in a catholic and conservative environment by their mother. Her maternal uncle, Furst Carl zu Löwenstein-Wertheim-Rosenberg, was like a second father to the children.
, fourth child and youngest son of Charles III, Duke of Parma
and his wife Princess Louise Marie Thérèse of France
, on 15 October 1876 in Salzburg
, Austria–Hungary. Henry, who was twenty five years old, had been previously married to Princess Maria Immacolata of Bourbon-Two Sicilies who had died three months after their marriage at the age of 19 in 1874. Henry, had taken part in the Carlist war and fought in the battle of Lacar. War wounds turned him into an invalid. Adelgundes and Henry's union produced no issue, as her nine pregnancies all ended in miscarriage
s. The failed pregnancies, the last of which she suffered in 1890, were a source of great grief to both her and her husband. > The couple divided their time between the Castle of Seebenstein in Austria
and the Vedndrami-Caligari palace in Venice
. Adelgundes spent long years looking after her paralyzed husband. The Count of Bardi was described by relatives, as a disagreeable man who tyrannized his sweet petite wife. After almost thirty years of marriage, Adelgundes became a widow in 1905. She was close to her many nephews and nieces, particularly to her niece Grand Duchess Marie-Adélaïde of Luxembourg from the time of her abdication to her early death.
on behalf of her nephew and Miguelist claimant to the Portuguese throne, Duarte Nuno, Duke of Braganza
, who was only twelve years old when his father Miguel renounced his claim to the throne in favor of his son. At the beginning of her regency in 1920, Adelgundes was created 7th Duchess of Guimarães. In 1921, she authored a manifesto
outlining the House of Braganza's goals for the restoration of the Portuguese monarchy. During her regency, Aldegundes signed an accord with ex King Manuel II of Portugal
, by which he recognized Duarte as his heir. Duarte lived with her at Seebenstein until the German occupation of Austria
when the whole family relocated to Bern, Switzerland
where she died in Gunten on 15 April 1946 at age 87.
Miguel of Portugal
Dom Miguel I, sometimes Michael , was the King of Portugal between 1828 and 1834, the seventh child and second son of King John VI and his queen, Charlotte of Spain....
and his wife Adelaide of Löwenstein-Wertheim-Rosenberg
Adelaide of Löwenstein-Wertheim-Rosenberg
Princess Adelaide of Löwenstein-Wertheim-Rosenberg was the wife of King Miguel of Portugal but only following his deposition. As a widow, she secured advantageous marriages for their six daughters.-Family:...
. A member of the House of Braganza
House of Braganza
The Most Serene House of Braganza , an important Portuguese noble family, ruled the Kingdom of Portugal and its colonial Empire, from 1640 to 1910...
by birth, Adelgundes became a member of the House of Bourbon-Parma
House of Bourbon-Parma
The House of Bourbon-Parma is an Italian cadet branch of the House of Bourbon. It is thus descended from the Capetian dynasty in male line. The name of Bourbon-Parma comes from the main name and the other from the title of Duke of Parma....
through her marriage to Prince Henry of Bourbon-Parma, Count of Bardi
Prince Henry, Count of Bardi
Prince Henry of Bourbon-Parma, Count of Bardi was the youngest son and child of Charles III, Duke of Parma and his wife Princess Louise Marie Thérèse of France, the eldest daughter of Charles Ferdinand, Duke of Berry and Princess Caroline Ferdinande Louise of the Two Sicilies.Henry was thus a...
. She was also the Regent of the Monarchic Representation of Portugal and for that reason was granted the title of Duchess of Guimarães, usually reserved for the Head of the House.
Early life
Adelgundes de Jesus Maria Francisca de Assis e de Paula Adelaide Eulália Leopoldina Carlota Micaela Rafaela Gabriela Gonzaga Inês Isabel Avelina Ana Estanislau Sofia Bernardina, Infanta de Portugal, Duquesa de Guimarães, was born in Bronnbach, WertheimWertheim am Main
Wertheim is a town in southwestern Germany, in the state of Baden-Württemberg with a population of 24,202. It is located on the confluence of the rivers Tauber and Main.It is known for its wine, castle and medieval town centre.-Geography:...
, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
. Her father died few days after her eight birthday and Aldegundes and her siblings were educadated in a catholic and conservative environment by their mother. Her maternal uncle, Furst Carl zu Löwenstein-Wertheim-Rosenberg, was like a second father to the children.
Marriage
Adelgundes married Prince Henry of Bourbon-Parma, Count of BardiPrince Henry, Count of Bardi
Prince Henry of Bourbon-Parma, Count of Bardi was the youngest son and child of Charles III, Duke of Parma and his wife Princess Louise Marie Thérèse of France, the eldest daughter of Charles Ferdinand, Duke of Berry and Princess Caroline Ferdinande Louise of the Two Sicilies.Henry was thus a...
, fourth child and youngest son of Charles III, Duke of Parma
Charles III, Duke of Parma
-Early life:Charles III was born at the Villa delle Pianore near Lucca, the only son of Charles Louis, Prince of Lucca and his wife Princess Maria-Theresa of Savoy . He was given the baptismal names Ferdinando Carlo Vittorio Giuseppe Maria Baldassarre...
and his wife Princess Louise Marie Thérèse of France
Princess Louise Marie Thérèse of France
Louise Marie Thérèse d'Artois was a duchess and later a regent of Parma. She was the eldest daughter of Charles Ferdinand, Duke of Berry, younger son of King Charles X of France and his wife Carolina of Naples and Sicily, daughter of King Francis I of the Two Sicilies.-Biography:Louise's father...
, on 15 October 1876 in Salzburg
Salzburg
-Population development:In 1935, the population significantly increased when Salzburg absorbed adjacent municipalities. After World War II, numerous refugees found a new home in the city. New residential space was created for American soldiers of the postwar Occupation, and could be used for...
, Austria–Hungary. Henry, who was twenty five years old, had been previously married to Princess Maria Immacolata of Bourbon-Two Sicilies who had died three months after their marriage at the age of 19 in 1874. Henry, had taken part in the Carlist war and fought in the battle of Lacar. War wounds turned him into an invalid. Adelgundes and Henry's union produced no issue, as her nine pregnancies all ended in miscarriage
Miscarriage
Miscarriage or spontaneous abortion is the spontaneous end of a pregnancy at a stage where the embryo or fetus is incapable of surviving independently, generally defined in humans at prior to 20 weeks of gestation...
s. The failed pregnancies, the last of which she suffered in 1890, were a source of great grief to both her and her husband. > The couple divided their time between the Castle of Seebenstein in Austria
Austria
Austria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the...
and the Vedndrami-Caligari palace in Venice
Venice
Venice is a city in northern Italy which is renowned for the beauty of its setting, its architecture and its artworks. It is the capital of the Veneto region...
. Adelgundes spent long years looking after her paralyzed husband. The Count of Bardi was described by relatives, as a disagreeable man who tyrannized his sweet petite wife. After almost thirty years of marriage, Adelgundes became a widow in 1905. She was close to her many nephews and nieces, particularly to her niece Grand Duchess Marie-Adélaïde of Luxembourg from the time of her abdication to her early death.
Regent-in-absentia
Between 1920 and 1928, Adelgundes acted as the regent-in-absentiaRegent
A regent, from the Latin regens "one who reigns", is a person selected to act as head of state because the ruler is a minor, not present, or debilitated. Currently there are only two ruling Regencies in the world, sovereign Liechtenstein and the Malaysian constitutive state of Terengganu...
on behalf of her nephew and Miguelist claimant to the Portuguese throne, Duarte Nuno, Duke of Braganza
Duarte Nuno, Duke of Braganza
Duarte Nuno, Duke of Braganza was a claimant to the throne of Portugal from 1920 until his death.-Birth:...
, who was only twelve years old when his father Miguel renounced his claim to the throne in favor of his son. At the beginning of her regency in 1920, Adelgundes was created 7th Duchess of Guimarães. In 1921, she authored a manifesto
Manifesto
A manifesto is a public declaration of principles and intentions, often political in nature. Manifestos relating to religious belief are generally referred to as creeds. Manifestos may also be life stance-related.-Etymology:...
outlining the House of Braganza's goals for the restoration of the Portuguese monarchy. During her regency, Aldegundes signed an accord with ex King Manuel II of Portugal
Manuel II of Portugal
Manuel II , named Manuel Maria Filipe Carlos Amélio Luís Miguel Rafael Gabriel Gonzaga Francisco de Assis Eugénio de Bragança Orleães Sabóia e Saxe-Coburgo-Gotha — , was the last King of Portugal from 1908 to 1910, ascending the throne after the assassination of his father and elder brother Manuel...
, by which he recognized Duarte as his heir. Duarte lived with her at Seebenstein until the German occupation of Austria
Austria
Austria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the...
when the whole family relocated to Bern, Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
where she died in Gunten on 15 April 1946 at age 87.
Titles and styles
- 10 November 1858 – 15 October 1876: Her Royal Highness Infanta Adelgundes of Portugal, Princess of Braganza
- 15 October 1876 – 14 April 1905: Her Royal Highness The Countess of Bardi, Infanta of Portugal, Princess of Braganza
- 14 April 1905–1920: Her Royal Highness The Dowager Countess of Bardi, Infanta of Portugal, Princess of Braganza
- 1920 – 15 April 1946: Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Guimarães, Dowager Countess of Bardi, Infanta of Portugal, Princess of Braganza