Margarita de Cardona

She had an influential position in the court of the Empress, and her correspondence with her spouse and daughter Anna von Dietrichstein gives valuable documentation about the politics of a royal household and its members.

Margarida de Cardona was appointed maid of honour to princess Maria prior to her marriage to Maximilian.

In 1553, she married the German diplomat and court official Baron Adam von Dietrichstein (17 October 1527- 15 January 1590), maternal grandson of Emperor Maximilian I.

Her mother served as chief-lady-in-waiting to Maria in 1554-77, and Margarita de Cardona herself was appointed lady-in-waiting after her marriage to the chamberlain and cousin of Maximilian II, Holy Roman Emperor.

Her daughters and her sisters were all ladies-in-waiting to Queen Anna of Spain and the Spanish princesses, and Margarita illustrates the influence a lady-in-waiting could have in affecting the appointments for court offices.