Beatrice d’Aragona nel ruolo “materno” e politico

Abstract

Beatrix of Aragon (1457–1508) is considered by public opinion, based on the opinion of her contemporaries, to be among the most influential Hungarian queens. In this paper I will examine the elements of her activity when she lived up to the expectations placed on her, and contrast her norm-breaking actions; I will compare her effectiveness with the image of herself that was communicated. Based on this examination, it can be stated that she attributed far more influence to herself in her letters than can be verified by analysing the events. Until the early 1480s, she wanted to strengthen her positions with her family’s dynastic interests in mind. Her infertility endangered the expected succession to the throne of John Corvinus, and this caused her to change her policy. Although the appointment of Ippolito d’Este as archbishop of Esztergom was the only case in which the queen’s influence on her husband could be demonstrated and considered successful, this did not change Beatrice’s position by then. According to the sources, Beatrix’s power and influence, despite her spectacular foreign manifestations, were entirely at the will of her husband.