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 …
Here are the basic facts of Queen Jeanne de France’s life, the only French queen who is a real saint. Father: Louis XI de France Mother: Charlotte de Savoie Birth: Nogent-le-Roi, France 23 April 1464 Marriage: Duke Louis d’Orléans, 8 September 1476, Château de Montrichard Annulment: 17 December 1498, Saint Gatien Cathedral, Tours, 26 December …
Twice Queen of France, Anne of Brittany’s funeral was a protracted event. Embalmers made a wax effigy of her face after her death. She lay first in her room and later in the state chambers of the Chateau of Blois for over two weeks Meals and masses were held daily. After placing her body in …
Rozsa Gaston’s Anne… Rozsa Gaston’s third book about Anne of Brittany, Rulers and Lovers, is now available. Tony Riches, author and book blogger featured it recently on The Writing Desk. Rozsa tells the story of Anne and Louis’s first big fight. Who would win when they differed over who their daughter should marry. Louis wanted …
When the not-quite 12-year-old Anne of Brittany became duchess, her people found in her their unlikely heroine. She inherited a duchy on its knees. Brittany was reeling from defeat at the decisive battle of Saint-Aubin-du-Cormier in July 1488. Her senile father signed the disastrous peace Treaty of Verger with France. Then he fled to his …
As befitted her role as Queen of France, Anne of Brittany passed her life travelling among the royal chateaux of Brittany and France. It could easily not have happened. When her father died shortly after the disastrous the battle of St. Aubin de Cormier in July 1488, Anne was not yet 12. She became ruler …
Anne of Brittany among the Chateaux of Brittany and France Read More »
Queen Anne’s Library and Books of Hours Queen Anne’s library, duchess of Brittany, included several Books of Hours. France considers her Great Hours one of its national treasures. Master Jean Bourdichon, who painted it was one of the great painters of the early French Renaissance. Anne’s library is a famous collection. Some she inherited from her …
Duchess Anne of Brittany’s influence as a patron played a critical role on early Renaissance French literature. She employed poets, writers and historians such as Jean Marot and Pierre Le Baud as secretaries, almoners and heralds. When her husbands went on campaign she sent them to describe their travels. The library she expanded at Blois …
Anne of Brittany’s Influence on French Literature Read More »
Anne de Beaujeu aka Madame la Grande was a remarkable French woman of the 15th-century. She became regent of France for her brother. Under the next kings, she maintained her power. As regent of the Bourbonnais for her daughter, she wrote her a book of advice. Anne de Beaujeu aka Madame la Grande Anne’s father, Louis …
