# Maria Josepha of Bavaria > Holy Roman empress **Wikidata**: [Q77336](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q77336) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maria_Josepha_of_Bavaria) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/maria-josepha-of-bavaria ## Summary Maria Josepha of Bavaria (1739–1767) was a Bavarian princess who became Holy Roman Empress as the consort of Charles VII Albert. Born into the Wittelsbach dynasty, she married the Holy Roman Emperor in 1742 and held this prestigious position until her death in 1767. She was also a member of the Order of the Starry Cross, a noble order established in 1668. ## Biography - **Born:** March 30, 1739 (also recorded as March 20, 1739) - **Died:** May 28, 1767 - **Nationality:** German - **Full Name:** Maria Josepha Antonia Walburga Felicitas Regula of Bavaria - **Dynasty:** House of Wittelsbach - **Known for:** Serving as Holy Roman Empress, consort of Charles VII Albert - **Field(s):** Royalty / Imperial Consort - **Citizenship:** Germany - **Awards/Recognition:** Member of the Order of the Starry Cross (established 1668) ## Contributions As Holy Roman Empress, Maria Josepha of Bavaria played a ceremonial and diplomatic role in the Holy Roman Empire during her husband's reign. Her marriage to Charles VII Albert in 1742 represented a strategic alliance within the German princely families. As Empress, she would have participated in court ceremonies, political gatherings, and represented the imperial household. Her position as consort of the Holy Roman Emperor placed her at the center of European royal politics during the mid-18th century. ## FAQs **What was Maria Josepha of Bavaria's primary role?** Maria Josepha of Bavaria served as Holy Roman Empress, the spouse of Emperor Charles VII Albert of the Holy Roman Empire. **When was Maria Josepha of Bavaria born and when did she die?** She was born in 1739 and died on May 28, 1767, at approximately 28 years of age. **What was Maria Josepha of Bavaria's full name?** Her full name was Maria Josepha Antonia Walburga Felicitas Regula of Bavaria. **Which royal house did Maria Josepha of Bavaria belong to?** She belonged to the House of Wittelsbach, the ruling dynasty of Bavaria. **What honors or awards did Maria Josepha of Bavaria receive?** She was a member of the Order of the Starry Cross, a noble order established in 1668 with connections to Austria, the Habsburg monarchy, and the Holy Roman Empire. **Who was Maria Josepha of Bavaria's spouse?** She married Charles VII Albert, who became Holy Roman Emperor. ## Why They Matter Maria Josepha of Bavaria's significance lies in her position as Holy Roman Empress during a tumultuous period in European history. Her marriage to Charles VII Albert occurred during the War of the Austrian Succession, when the Habsburg and Wittelsbach dynasties vied for imperial power. As Empress, she represented the continuity of imperial tradition and the diplomatic relationships between German states. Her brief life and reign illustrate the political importance of dynastic marriages in 18th-century Europe, particularly in maintaining alliances between the various German princely houses and the imperial crown. ## Notable For - Holy Roman Empress (1742–1767) - Member of the Order of the Starry Cross - Member of the Wittelsbach dynasty, one of Germany's oldest and most prominent royal families - Full name: Maria Josepha Antonia Walburga Felicitas Regula of Bavaria ## Body ### Early Life and Family Background Maria Josepha of Bavaria was born in 1739 into the House of Wittelsbach, the ruling dynasty of Bavaria. The Wittelsbach family was one of the oldest and most influential royal houses in Central Europe, having ruled Bavaria for centuries. Her full name was Maria Josepha Antonia Walburga Felicitas Regula, reflecting the Catholic traditions and naming conventions of European royal families of the period. ### Marriage and Ascension to Imperial Status Maria Josepha married Charles VII Albert, Elector of Bavaria, who was elected Holy Roman Emperor in 1742. This marriage represented a significant political alliance between the Wittelsbach dynasty and the imperial cause. Charles VII Albert's election as Emperor marked a major challenge to the Habsburg monopoly on the imperial crown, and his reign was overshadowed by the War of the Austrian Succession (1740–1748). ### Role as Holy Roman Empress As Holy Roman Empress, Maria Josepha held one of the highest ceremonial positions in the Holy Roman Empire. The role of Empress involved representing the imperial household at court ceremonies, participating in diplomatic functions, and maintaining the prestige of the imperial office. The Holy Roman Empire, though declining in practical power by the mid-18th century, remained an important institution in European politics, and the Empress played a vital symbolic role. ### Membership in the Order of the Starry Cross Maria Josepha was honored with membership in the Order of the Starry Cross, a noble order established in 1668. This order was associated with the Habsburg monarchy and had connections to both Austrian and other imperial territories. Membership in such orders was both an honor and a marker of political allegiance within the complex web of European nobility. ### Later Life and Death Maria Josepha of Bavaria died on May 28, 1767, at the age of approximately 28 years. Her death preceded that of her husband, Charles VII Albert, who died in 1775. Her brief life as Empress illustrates both the privileges and vulnerabilities of royal women in the 18th century, whose lives were often shaped by political imperatives beyond their control. ### Historical Context Maria Josepha's life unfolded during a pivotal period in European history. The mid-18th century saw the great powers of Europe engaged in conflicts over territorial and dynastic succession, particularly the War of the Austrian Succession. The Holy Roman Empire, while still formally existing, was increasingly dominated by Austria and Prussia, and the position of Emperor had become more ceremonial than powerful. As a member of the Wittelsbach family married to an Emperor who briefly challenged Habsburg dominance, Maria Josepha occupied a unique position at the intersection of these competing powers. ### Legacy Maria Josepha of Bavaria's legacy is primarily historical, representing the continued importance of dynastic marriage alliances in 18th-century European politics. Her brief tenure as Holy Roman Empress exemplifies the ceremonial importance of imperial consorts in maintaining the traditions and prestige of the Holy Roman Empire. The Wittelsbach dynasty continued to play a significant role in German and European history, eventually producing kings of Bavaria who would remain important figures until the dissolution of the German monarchies after World War I. ## References 1. Integrated Authority File 2. The Peerage 3. Habsburg, Maria Josepha von Bayern (BLKÖ) 4. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013 5. Sejm-Wielki.pl