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Eleanor of Austria

Leuven, 24 Nov 1498 – Talavera la Real, 28 Feb 1558

11 facts3 sources

Facts and their sources

  • Born24 Nov 1498, Leuvennot verified1 source
  • MarriedManuel I of Portugalnot verified1 source
  • TitleQueen Consort of Portugal, 1518–1521or Queen Consort of France, 1530–1548not verified1 source
  • TitleQueen Consort of France, 1530–1548or Queen Consort of Portugal, 1518–1521not verified1 source
  • Died28 Feb 1558, Talavera la Realnot verified1 source
  • MotherJuana I of Castilenot verified1 source
  • FatherPhilip I of Castilenot verified1 source

A life in time

  1. 24 Nov 1498

    Born in Leuven

  2. 1518–1521

    Queen Consort of Portugal

  3. 18 Jun 1521

    A daughter is born

  4. 1530–1548

    Queen Consort of France

  5. 28 Feb 1558

    Dies in Talavera la Real, aged 59

During her lifetime

She lived through 7 decades. Pick one to hear and see what it was like around Leuven.

General history, not a record about the family: each item says where it comes from.

The 1490s · Eleanor is born in Leuven

In the news1498–1499

Expulsion of Jewish population in Navarre

The monarchs of Navarre forced the Jewish population to leave, with the community significantly reduced and the Great Synagogue of Pamplona turned into a grammar school by 1499.

At the table

Around 1500–1524

Beer was the standard daily beverage

Most people drank beer instead of water, which was often considered unsafe, and children also consumed beer. Wine was also popular, though it was frequently diluted with water.

What people wore

Around 1500–1524

Flax harvest festival traditions

After the flax harvest, Flemish women would run through the streets dancing in large groups and stop travelers to tie flax strands around their legs or stirrups, refusing to let them pass without receiving small coins to fund a communal celebration.

Getting around

Around 1500–1524

Travel times varied by transport method

A journey from Eindhoven to Deventer took over three days on foot, but with a pack mule, the same distance could take nine days.

What it cost

Around 1500–1524

Cost of staple foods

A kilogram of rye bread cost between 1 and 2 stuivers, while a liter of milk or beer also cost 1 stuiver.

Music

Around 1500–1524

Loud instruments at village festivals

At village festivals in Flanders, loud instruments such as trumpets, oboes, flutes, fifes, bagpipes, and drums were commonly used to entertain the crowds.

Daily life

Around 1500–1524

Elementary schooling in villages

Almost every village or parish had at least one elementary school where children paid a few pennies per month per subject. Tuition for poor children was often covered by the Church or philanthropists.