Friday, January 30, 2009

Diane De Poitiers

Photo via Wikipedia
Her early life...

Diane de Poitiers was born Sept. 3, 1499 in the château de Saint-Vallier, in the Rhône-Alpes region of France. At the age of 15, she married a man 39 years older, Louis de Brézé, seigneur d'Anet and had two daughters with him. Louis de Brézé died in 1531 in Anet (it's just beautiful, I can't wait to do a post o it), Diane took up black as her main colour of dress for the rest of her life, adding later some white and grey. Her shrewd knowledge in financial matters and legal issues became apparent after his death as she fought to retain her late husband’s title of "sénéchale de Normandie" which she accomplished.
She was a wonderful hunter and sportswoman and it is recorded that she kept a very fit body and stunning good looks well into her late years.

Portrait hanging at Chenonceau

Her life with Henri...

She was appointed to head the royal nursery. It is here that young eight year old Henri (son of Francois I) grew attached to Diane. Having lost his mother, Diane was his sole source of comfort and love. As the years progressed Henri fell madly in love Diane, nearly 20 years older than him . Henri was only 14 at the time and he made his devotion to the new widow clear.They were not lovers yet but this chivalrous admiration would grow into one of the most powerful love affairs of the age.

In 1533 Henry was married to the daughter of a Florentine merchant, Catherine de Medici. Poor Catherine with her plan face could not hold a candle to the beautiful Diane de Poitiers or her bond with Henri. Diane would play a huge role in their marriage, overseeing their households, royal children and even state of affairs. Through it all Catherine smiled plotted, waiting for the right time to strike down her enemy.
Chateua d'Anet photo from Architect design

I had no idea but, Diane was actually Catherine's older cousin.
When Henri became Henri II, King of France Diane became his Queen in everything but name. She encouraged him to visit his wife's bed because heirs were necessary and when Catherine became pregnant (she had 10 children with him), he resumed sharing his bed with only Diane. Everyone at court knew that Diane controlled the crown. Diane had an extreme intellect and a political astuteness to the point that the King trusted her to write many of his official letters and they even signed them jointly with the one name: HenriDiane., when Pope Paul III sent the new Queen Catherine the "Golden Rose," he was sure to send the King's mistress a pearl necklace as well.


Henry's monogram was a stylized 'H' and 'D'; governed his children, arranged the marriage between his son Francis and Mary Queen of Scots; and was entrusted with the Crown Jewels of France (oh dear, take the husband but at least leave poor Catherine the jewels!) He had the Chateau d'Anet built for her, and gave her the Chateau at Chenonceaux, much to the horror of Catherine who had desperately wanted it for herself. Naturally, this did not sit well with the real Queen, who really loved her husband, and the two women hated each other beyond belief!
Chenonceau ~ A view from Diane's gardens Photo via official Chenonceau site

In 1559, Henry was critically wounded in a jousting tournament and Catherine de Medici finally had a chance for her revenge. The king called out repeatedly for his love Diane and Catherine refused to allow her to see him. Upon his death, Diane was not allowed to the funeral. Immediately after, Catherine banished Diane from Chenonceaux to the Chateau Chaumont. She stayed there only a short time and lived out her remaining years in her chateau in Anet. She died on April 22, 1566 she was 67 years old. During the French Revolution, her tomb was opened and her remains thrown into a mass grave.
Photo from dianedepoitiers This is a great site written by one of her descendants. Here you can read her will and love letters
She had many residences this one in Cour de Rohn, located on the Rue de Jardinet, just off Boulevard St Germain-des-Pres. is still standing today.
Have a wonderful day My friends, until tomorrow!

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41 comments:

  1. I've been to the Cour de Rohn as well. Diane was one of the first famous women of France I learned about when I arrived here.
    bon WE!

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  2. Wow!! What a great story - I just love history and all these love affairs and scandals! I had never heard of Diane, but now I need to find a book on her or something - I need to know more!! Thanks for all of your very interesting and lovely posts! I learn something every time I visit!!

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  3. You've done it again, my dear! Excellent. One fascinating story after another. Poor Catherine - what she had to endure!
    Have a wonderful weekend, Judith!
    Another Catherine

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  4. Judith- you are incredible! I love this post! I went to the family link you posted and read a few of the King's letters to Diane (in that oh, so beautiful old French). I'm in dream land again- Your posts always do that to me! Thanks;-)

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  5. Hi Judith! (I keep trying to send you my comment but the computer keeps deleting!)

    Anyway...You're just incredible! What an amazing post- so much detail! I went to that link you posted by Diane's family and read a few of the King's letters to her (in Old French; which I love)- it's a real treasure- I'm crazy about love letters in history. Thanks for making me dream...again!

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  6. Dear Judith, I so adore your history class today, the Medici family is really interesting.
    I did a post a few months ago about a later generation of the family.
    I will have to get updated I guess, to keep up with your fabulous post.

    My best to you,
    Ingela

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  7. Catherine's tomb was cleaned out? I guess she was made to be like the "common people" after death. What trouble they all had...I don't know what to think of Diane, it seems as if she was devoted...her heart just went to the wrong man. Informative and facinating, Judith!

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  8. Good evening Judith!

    It's 11pm now and this was the perfect bedtime post. Although I felt bad for Catherine, I admired Henri's unwavering love for Diane in spite of her being 20 years older. How powerful. I vaguely remembered about Catherine's family in Italy which were a famous ruling family. However, I do recall learning that Catherine brought her love of fine foods from her homeland to France and that introduction became the basis of France's ongoing commitment to haute cuisine. I'll have to go back and read more about her. Thanks for great post. Good night dear.

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  9. Hierarchy, hierarchy, hierarchy ... wow! I cannot believe that they unearthed a woman for her humanly trials & sins. Social status was *extremely* important, obvious from the way she was stripped of the chateau. But then I cannot believe that his wife endured the construction phase of that monument! Can you imagine? "So, honey, how's the little chateau project coming along?" How did the man justify that?? Power & money rank over love ... {some things never change}. What a tragic love story, however, Diane didn't seem to put her foot down either. >?<

    I really think you should eventually convert your blog into a book, Judith! A beautiful table top book with lots of those gorgeous photos & juicy stories!

    (Judith - check out the card I made yesterday. I noted you as an inspiration. I think you'll like the image & maybe the card too!)

    {Hugs}

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  10. Judith - Just love this post!! Your Diane lesson du jour answers so many questions I've had about her. I've been studying the Medicis and have just started a bio of Catherine - so it's great to have a glimpse of the other side of the story. Must go to the website for MORE!!
    .. .. Judith

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  11. Fascinating! I love good old French drama, so juicy and full of emotion! Thanks for another wonderful look at history!

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  12. my goodness your are amazing historian and story teller ! where do you get all this ?
    thank you so much
    bise
    Zelda

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  13. Great post ! Diane was such a woman. I love the way you share your knowledge

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  14. Judith -- -
    I've left you a little gift
    on my blog -
    JJjjj

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  15. GEEEZZ....
    i don't come by for a day or 2 .....
    and look what i miss.

    my daughter is a history major, i am def. turning her on to you!

    my din room chairs are henri II.
    now i know the scoop-

    xx

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  16. This is a truly dramatic story about a beautiful woman. I'm sure that if my history books and my history teachers could tell a story like you, I would have paid more attention in class!

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  17. What a fun post to read, I loved learing all this. Thanks so much for sharing, I wonder when the movie will come out??:)
    Lidy

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  18. What a fun post to read, I loved learing all this. Thanks so much for sharing, I wonder when the movie will come out??:)
    Lidy

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  19. Wow, not only is this post beautiful, but I was JUST reading about her last night, crazy.

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  20. Hello Judith, I stopped by again to tell you that you were photo tagged over at Oasis Chateau!
    I hope you can participate.

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  21. I need to stop by more often.. I feel like a flunkie.

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  22. hey, where is my partner in crime? I miss you. I hope you're doing okay. Don't leave me behind in blog land.
    xoxoxo

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  23. BEAUTIFUL Chateau! I love your posts... except they make me want to runaway from home!
    ENJOY your weekend!
    Fifi

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  24. A friend in NYC just sent me your blog... it is fabulous! I am an American food writer and just happen to live at the end of the Cour de Rohn, walking through it when I am lucky enough to find the gate open.

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  25. Bonjour mon amie,
    Just thought I would check in and say hi since we haven't heard much from you lately. I hope you are doing good and that life is treating you well!
    Kelli

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  26. Dear Judith,
    Sending you lots of love on this Valentine's Day! And to the Royal family, as well. I miss you!!! Have a fun day.
    Much love,
    Catherine

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  27. Hi Judith,
    Just checking in on you. Happy Valentine's weekend, you're missed!

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  28. Hi Judith, I've noticed that it's been a while since you posted... Hope everything is well!!
    Trudi xo

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  29. I REALLY like your blog. But because I'm the Clever Pup I have to tell you it's the Cour de Rohan

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  30. I just added you to my (très)short blog roll. Thought I had done it already but must have forgotten. Looking forward to the next post!

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  31. Wow, thanks for the history! I didn't know all this - fascinating! I'm so behind on my blog reading, sorry it took me so long. I'm adding you to my blogroll, btw!

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  32. I've always loved her story and the Chenonceau is one of my favorites. Great post!

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  33. Hi Judith! Me again...where are you? Send me an email.
    Lucy

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  34. I knew their story but did not know her grave had been desecrated. Good blog you haver here.

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  35. Great blog post......Nice information Thank you so much

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  36. Your article definitely is worth the read. Diane's life is very interesting and your way of telling her story is really good.

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  37. You still have not returned with FAB Frenchness for us... sigh!
    I hope everything is ok with you! I hope you are off doing something WONDERFUL!
    Fifi

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  38. Hello Judith - just wondering where you are?? Hope all is ok and missing your wonderful posts, xv

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  39. Hi Judith, I've noticed that it's been a long time since you posted... I hope everything's well!?
    Hugs, Trudi

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  40. Hi Judith, Thank you so much for linking to me web site,

    http://www.dianedepoitiets.sharibeck.com

    All the best, Shari

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