Charlotte Christina of Brittany (Blooming Roses)

Charlotte Christina (12 March 1590 -17 January 1627) was the last Queen Consort of Scotland. In 1606, she married James VII of Scotland. Despite ten pregnancies, she only had one living child, a daughter, Isabella Mary.

Early Life
Charlotte Christina was the younger surviving child of Cecilia Renata and Francis III of Brittany. She was exceptionally intelligent and precocious, mastering Latin and Greek by age eight. Her mother took great pride in her and wanted her daughter to be a queen. Cecilia suggested a Portuguese match, but Francis wanted a Scottish marriage. Her father prevailed, and in 1599, Charlotte was betrothed to the heir to the Scottish throne.

Marriage
In 1606, Charlotte Christina arrived in Scotland to marry the heir to the Scottish throne. She was greeted by Queen Sophia Magdalene, Magdalene Elizabeth, and Arbella Mary at Linlithgow Palace in July. They were later joined by James VI, the future James VII, and the Duke of Rothesay. On August 15th, Charlotte and James were married. James and his father soon returned to Edinburgh, leaving his sixteen year old bride in the company of his mother and sisters. Queen Sophia was extremely kind to Charlotte, having been close to her mother during her childhood, and Charlotte immediately latched to her mother-in-law. When Sophia died at the end of 1607, Charlotte's grief was so great that she miscarried of a son in early 1608. She never returned to Linlithgow Palace during her lifetime, Queen Sophia having died there. Charlotte had a less than harmonious relationship with her two sisters-in-law, especially Arbella. There was one such occasion in 1610, where Arbella was expected to show deference to Charlotte, instead Arbella defiantly pushed her, causing another miscarriage. Arbella was admonished by her father, though she refused to apologize. Charlotte's relationship with Jams varied; early on he was very distant to her but later they were extremely close and he often went to her for advice in politics. The English ambassador remarked, "To be in favor of the queen, is to have the favor of the king,"

Tenure As Queen
Charlotte Christina became Queen Consort after James VII ascended the throne in 1625, though her tenure was to be short-lived. Her only living child, Isabella, married Alexander III of England later that year and her husband was still attempting for an heir. Her last pregnancy began in November of 1625, only to end in tragedy at the end of April 1626. On 12 June 1626, her husband died in her arms at Falkland Palace, and she shut herself away for a day before emerging to take control of the regency for her fourteen year old daughter, who was in England.

Regency
The official regency of Charlotte Christina lasted from 14 June 1626 until 17 July 1626. During this time she resided at Stirling Palace, which was a wedding gift from,her father-in-law. She was at Holyrood Abbey to greet her daughter when she arrived in Scotland for her coronation. She took a dislike to her son-in-law, despite the fact that her daughter appeared to be deeply in love. She resented him for only marrying Isabella to acquire Scotland, which Alexander denied.

Death
Charlotte Christina died at Stirling Palace in early 1627 at the age of 36. The cause of her death is unknown; what is known is that she had been frequently bled before her death, which may have hastened her demise. Her daughter spent lavishly on her funeral, although she did not attend, as was the custom. Charlotte Christina was the last Queen Consort of Scotland, although her tenure only lasted sixteen month. She was criticized by her brother-in-law, Alexander, Duke of Rothesay for giving Scotland to England for failing to provide a male heir and ending the main line of the Stuart dynasty.

Pregnancies
Charlotte Christina was pregnant ten times throughout her twenty year marriage, but only had one surviving child, Isabella Mary that lived beyond the age of two.