Today in the Middle Ages: October 4, 1568

Elisabeth de Valois, third of the four wives of Philip II of Spain, died on October 4, 1568. She had originally been betrothed to his son but married the father as part of a peace settlement.

Philip had previously been married to Mary Tudor of England and had courted her half-sister Queen Elizabeth I. He also supported Mary, Queen of Scots, the Catholic rival claimant to Elizabeth's throne.

Philip's son Carlos, the child of his first wife and cousin Princess Maria of Portugal, fell under suspicion and was imprisoned by his father. He starved himself to death in protest.