Step back in time to the life of Antoinette de Maignelais (1434?–1474) to read a tale of love and intrigue. She was mistress of Duke François II of Brittany (1461-1474). A little-known figure otherwise, her importance lies in her role as the the duke’s favorite and mistress. Their illicit (to our eyes) affair left an
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On 27 March 1615, the notorious Reine Margot, Queen of Navarre, much vilified first wife of the great King Henry IV of France, died. At the time of her death, she was the last member of the royal Valois line that had ruled in France since 1328. A Bright, Clever Child Born on 14 May
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The 16th century in France saw big changes in intellectual life, culture, religion, and politics, for both women and men. Italian influences brought new ideas in humanism, arts, architecture, and literature. Like men, women writers and thinkers began to explore ideas about the dignity and potential of the individual, reflecting the influence of humanism. At
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In Find Me in the Stars, a captivating journey of love and courage, author Jules Larimore masterfully transports readers to the mysterious, mountainous Occitanie region of southern France during the late seventeenth century. Against the backdrop of religious persecution, Larimore weaves a tale of ordinary people who embark on a perilous journey in search of
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From the 12th to the 19th centuries, the people of France and England really believed their king’s touch could heal them of scrofula. Why did they believe it? Were they ignorant superstitious simpletons who knew no better? I do not think so. Before you toss up your hands and write me off as a crank,
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Ready for some fascinating 8th-Century heroines? In Saxon Heroines: Women of Determination and Courage you will meet several active during the years from 624 to 706. The first character and narrator is Hildeburg, a princess of nine, unhappy that a new queen is about to replace the recently deceased aunt she loved. Women’s issues—girls as
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As I was researching my new novel I reflected on the importance of male heirs for Brittany and France. I had been reading an article that electrified me in the book Noblesse de Bretagne du Moyen Age à Nos Jours. Failures in the male line One article in particular challenges several standard interpretations of Breton
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The strong-willed Jeanne de Navarre, destined to become Queen of Navarre from 1555 to 1572, showed her mettle from earliest childhood. So, it isn’t surprising that Jeanne d’Albret defied the powers that be to make Navarre the centre of Huguenot resistance during the early wars of religion. These included: her uncle, King François I; her
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You’ll find my brief history of the life of Princess Renée de France, a stanch Huguenot, at The Freelance History Writer. I recently wrote a guest blog post there to celebrate the launch of my novel The Importance of Pawns. In the post, I give an overview of the tumultuous life that Princess Renée lived.
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This interview with Laura du Pre, author of the Three Graces Trilogy is a treat. YOu’ll discover the French Wars of Religion were full of intrigue, family rivalry and bloodshed. And, read the book review here. This is the first video in my series, Conversations with Renaissance Fiction Writers. Laura talks about her interest in
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Born on 25 October 1510 at the Château de Blois, Renée de France’s life did not begin as difficult. She was the second daughter of Louis XII of France and Anne of Brittany. Blessed with a Golden Infancy Unusually for the times, Louis stayed in the queen’s chambers during Renée’s birth. Even though they had
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Murder most foul was as much a medieval as it is a modern problem. With a nod to Bob Dylan’s recent song title, murder most foul was not uncommon in the late Middle Ages and Renaissance. This will come as no surprise to any fan of Game of Thrones. Nor to any historian of the
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