Elisabeth of Valois

Elisabeth of Valois
Élisabeth de Valois, by Juan Pantoja de la Cruz, 1565
Queen consort of Spain
Tenure	22 June 1559 – 3 October 1568
Born	(1545-04-02)2 April 1545 Palace of Fontainebleau
Died	3 October 1568(1568-10-03) (aged 23) Royal Palace of Aranjuez
Burial	El Escorial
Spouse	Philip II of Spain
Issue	Isabella Clara Eugenia Catherine Michelle
House	Valois-Angoulême
Father	Henry II of France
Mother	Catherine de' Medici
Religion	Roman Catholicism

Elisabeth of Valois (Spanish: Isabel de Valois; French: Élisabeth de France) (2 April 1545 – 3 October 1568) was a Spanish queen consort. The eldest daughter of Henry II of France and Catherine de' Medici, she married Philip II of Spain as his third wife.

She was born in the Château de Fontainebleau. Her childhood was spent in the French royal nursery, where her father insisted she share her bedroom with her future sister-in-law, Mary, Queen of Scots, who was about three years older than Elisabeth. Even though Elisabeth had to give precedence to Mary (since Mary was already a crowned queen), the two would remain close friends for the rest of their lives. While it is acknowledged that her sister Margaret and her future sister-in-law Mary were prettier than she, she was one of Catherine's attractive daughters. Elisabeth was also described as being shy, timid and very much in awe of her formidable mother; although there is also evidence that Catherine was tender and loving toward Elisabeth. This was certainly evident in her letters to Elisabeth.

Elisabeth married Philip II of Spain son of Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor, and Isabella of Portugal in 1559. Originally married via proxy at Notre Dame (with the Duke of Alba standing in for Philip) prior to leaving France, the actual ceremony took place in Guadalajara, Spain, upon her arrival. The marriage was a result of the Peace of Cateau Cambrésis (1559). His second wife, Mary I of England, had recently died, making Elisabeth of Valois Philip's third wife.