Beatrice of Aragon was the wife of King Matthias I (1476–1490). Beatrice grew up in the luxury of the royal court of Naples, she was educated and politically active, greatly admired by her niece, countess Isabella d'Este. The two women had a lively correspondence. The letters show mutual respect and love between the niece and her aunt.
The letters presented here were written after 1505, after Beatrice returned to Naples following a lengthy struggle for the Hungarian throne. Returning home filled her with great sadness, and from there she named herself infelicissima, the most unhappy of queens.
The letter, dated to 10 February 1505, speaks of the death of Ercole I d’Este, which fills the Queen with great sorrow, but she is comforted by the knowledge that he had lived a long time and left many beautiful children.
She also expresses her joy that the people have welcomed his successor, Alfonso I d’Este, and hopes that God will give him a long and honorable life.
The original record held by: State Archives of Mantova
Reference code: Archivio di Stato di Mantova, Archivio Gonzaga, Dipartimento affari esteri, Napoli, Sicilia, busta 808, c. 58
Date of creation: Naples, 10 February 1505
