Archduchess Maria of Austria (15 May 1531 – 11 December 1581) was the daughter of Ferdinand I, Holy Roman Emperor from the House of Habsburg and Anna of Bohemia and Hungary.
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Early life
Maria was born on the 15 May 1531 in Prague and grew up in Hofburg. She was described as "small" for her age as well as "almost intelligent", well-mannered and attractive, despite having inherited the facial features characteristic of the Habsburgs.
Maria and her sisters received a strict and thorough Catholic religious education from the humanist Kaspar Ursinus Velius. She was taught German, Italian, Latin and French. She was also taught how to play keyboard instruments and dance.
Marriage
As part of the Treaty of Venlo, William of Jülich-Cleves-Berg was proposed a marriage to one of Emperor Charles V's nieces, with William being allowed to pick between Maria and her sister, Anna.