His grandson Ferdinand, however, decided to have it erected in Innsbruck in the specially built tomb. Instead of the planned 40 giant bronze figures, only 28 "Black Men" were completed and guard the empty tomb of Emperor Maximilian. If you take a closer look, however, some of the Mander are women.
Elisabeth of Carinthia, Gorizia and Tyrol (1262 -1313)
Daughter of Meinhard II
Clever and enterprising, marries Duke Albrecht II of Habsburg at the age of 15. Elisabeth is responsible for the construction of the salt works in the Salzkammergut. In 1299 she becomes Roman-German Empress. Nine years later, her husband is murdered by his nephew. Elisabeth has Königsfelden Abbey built at the scene of the crime, where she is later buried. She has 21 children.
Cimburgis of Mazovia 1394 (or 1397, it is not known exactly - 1429)
Grandmother of Emperor Maximilian I.
A Polish princess, beautiful and stately, who becomes Duchess of Austria through her marriage to Ernest the Iron in 1412, is considered the progenitor of the Habsburg line. She has nine children, including the future Emperor Frederick III. She is said to have inherited the "Habsburg lip". This refers to the unsightly protrusion of the lower jaw, accentuated by a pronounced forward bite with a pronounced chin and a fleshy lower lip. It was present in many Habsburg descendants, as well as in their grandson Maximilian I (Charles II in Spain is said to have been particularly badly affected - he was considered disfigured and could hardly chew or speak). Cimburgis is said to have had unusual physical strength and to have pulled iron nails out of walls with her bare hands.
Elisabeth of Luxembourg (1409-1442)
Only daughter of Emperor Sigismund of Habsburg
Betrothal at the age of two to Duke Albrecht I of Habsburg. At 13, she marries her fiancé, who is 18 years her senior. Elisabeth's heavily indebted father Sigismund soon appoints his son-in-law as his successor, first as administrator of Moravia and after his death as Roman-German king. Elisabeth has four children. She is very politically active, often at odds with her husband. After an unsuccessful civil war, she dies suddenly, presumably from poisoning.
Mary of Burgundy (1457 - 1482)
First wife of Emperor Maximilian I.
At the age of twenty, she was the sole heir to Charles the Bold's considerable Burgundian inheritance. To protect it from the greedy hands of her godfather, King Louis XI, she unceremoniously marries Emperor Maximilian I, two years her junior, against the wishes of her class. The marriage of convenience turns into great love. Three children, Philip, Margaret and Francis. The Emperor never really overcame Maria's death just five years later as a result of a riding accident. After his death, his heart urn is buried in her grave. Love beyond death.
Bianca Maria Sforza from Milan (1472 - 1510)
Second wife of Emperor Maximilian I.
Carefree childhood with her rich uncle in Milan, education of secondary importance, therefore completely out of her depth as the later wife of Emperor Max. The heavily indebted Max only marries her for financial reasons, he is not even present at the wedding in person! He calls his wife too uneducated, too naive, wasteful and sloppy. As there are no children, the emperor turns to his mistresses (he is said to have fathered 30 illegitimate children) and increasingly neglects his wife. He treats her with condescension, even leaving her as a pawn on several occasions when he is unable to pay his bill at an inn. Bianca dies at the age of 38 from dehydration (severe emaciation, presumably due to emotional distress). Max stays away from the funeral.
Joan of Castile, known as "the Madwoman" (1479-1555), from Portugal
Daughter-in-law of Maximilian
A true beauty, highly educated but withdrawn. Betrothal at the age of fourteen to Philip the Fair. Their first meeting leads to an immediate wedding ceremony and the cancellation of the wedding reception. The couple disappear into the bedroom immediately afterwards. They have six children together during this marriage. Johanna is tormented by intense jealousy during the marriage and no other women are allowed near Philip. Philip's early death finally drives Johanna mad. She dies alone in a convent.
Kunigunde of Austria (1465-1520)
Daughter of Frederick III
Childhood without stiff court ceremonial. Contrary to the customs of the time, she learns to ride, hunt, astronomy and maths. At the age of 15, she is taken into the care of Duke Siegmund the Rich in Coin to Innsbruck, where she meets the Bavarian Duke Albrecht IV. Kunigunde's father initially agrees to their marriage. When Albrecht occupies the city of Regensburg, he withdraws his consent. Kunigunde and Albrecht don't give a damn and present a forged consent from the emperor at the wedding in the castle chapel in Innsbruck. The marriage is consummated immediately afterwards - you never know. The father is angry, but fortunately a reconciliation is later reached. Kunigunde gives birth to six children. After the death of her husband, she fights for an equal inheritance for her two older sons, contrary to primogeniture. Kunigunde dies in a monastery in 1520.
Margaret of Austria (1480-1530)
Daughter of Maximilian I and Mary of Burgundy
No luck with men. Betrothed at the age of three to the future King of France, Charles VII, but he then marries someone else. Hence quick marriage to the heir to the Spanish throne. He dies of a fever in the same year. Marriage to Philibert II of Savoy, which becomes a great love affair. Three years later, Philibert dies in a riding accident. She is widowed again at the age of 24. Her father was unable to persuade her to marry again. She dies as a result of a leg gangrene. No children.
