#Duke d'Angoulême

[empirearchives]

Arrests made during the pro-Napoleon riot in Montpellier

Context: After the defeat and abdication of Napoleon in 1815, the new government made favor of “Bonapartism” a crime and made a series of arrests across the country known as the “White Terror”.

From Napoleon: A Symbol for an Age: A Brief History with Documents, Rafe Blaufarb

———

Charge Sheet against Suspected Bonapartists (January 3, 1816):

Roquier (soldier): said of His Royal Highness the Duke d'Angoulême: “Is that monkey coming? I don't give a damn about our rulers....”

Roche (merchant): repeatedly stated that Bonaparte would soon return....

Etienne (no profession given): wore a blue and white cockade with red thread.

Balp (landowner): said the government is like a bucket going up and down, that having changed 10 times in 19 years, it might well change a dozen more times....

Barban (deserter): cried “Long Live the Emperor” in a billiard hall and insulted the King.

Dejean (ex-soldier): said the triumphal arch erected at Meze for the visit of His Royal Highness the Duke d'Angoulême should be his gallows.

The Quatrefages brothers (court record-keeper): illicit nocturnal meetings at odd hours in their house....

Bertrand (surgeon, intern at the hospital): [found in possession of] a mysterious letter full of effervescences and four other documents, all contrary to Bourbon government and favorable to the usurper.

Carra (wife of Cavanon) and her brother: said the mail of November 26 had not arrived because the Parisians were revolting against the Bourbons....

Bouchoni (no profession): limitless attachment to the usurper's government; participated actively in the unfortunate events that occurred in Montpellier on June 27 and July 2, and signed an innkeeper's register under a false name.

Pau: under an arrest warrant for the disastrous events of Montpellier....

Campan (special commissioner of the usurper): held secret nocturnal meetings, criminal correspondence, and attempts or plots to overthrow the royal government....

Vivier (ex-mayor of Pignans) and son: abuse of power and embezzlement... during the interregnum; moreover, denounced by public rumor.

Favier (second-lieutenant in the Sete customs house) and Fleuran (sergeant in the Angoulême regiment): seditious speech against the government....

Guruoalsac (half-pay officer): peddling seditious writings in suspicious meetings, abuse, vexation, and excesses against citizens.

Fleuri (wife of Clos): cried “Long Live the Emperor” and “To the Devil with all royalists, may the King burn in hell with them.”

Context about the arrest sheet by the author:

‘In late 1815 they rioted in Montpellier to protest the visit of the Duke d'Angoulême (1775-1844), who had led resistance to Napoleon’s return in the south of the country and had encouraged the White Terror. The rising failed, but it induced Bourbon police to arrest hundreds of people on political charges. The following document, a charge sheet drawn up on January 3, 1816, just days after the riot, gives a sense of how the Bourbon authorities construed the crime of “Bonapartism.”’

Charge sheet at Archives Départementales de I'Hérault, 1 M 875.

[thedudleywomen]

National Poetry Day 2024 (03 Oct 2024)

On National Poetry Day, I wanted to highlight the 'Hecatodistichon': a poem written in Latin, reportedly composed by the young daughters of Edward Seymour, Duke of Somerset - Anne, Margaret and Jane.

This poem, the first published by collective Englishwomen (in any language) prior to 1560s, was dedicated to the recently deceased writer, poet and literary patron Marguerite d'Angoulême, Queen of Navarre, whose work the young girls were taught by their French Humanist tutor, Nicolas Denisot.

I also need to acknowledge Anne Askew, Reformist preacher, poet, writer and eventual martyr, who openly and repeatedly defied religious policies of the time, including reading the Bible aloud.

Whilst imprisoned at Newgate Prison in 1545, Anne composed her 'Ballad'; she was one of the first women to have original work published in English. She continued to write poetry, in which she reflected on her 'mission' to spread the Protestant word, which would eventually lead to her death.

[empiredesimparte]

State Banquet at Versailles : Emperor Napoléon IV offers his royal guest the lair of the Sun King

For the first time during his reign, His Imperial Majesty received a foreign power at Versailles. Indeed, receiving guests at Versailles is extremely rare, so it was a matter of special attention from the Emperor. The Palace of Versailles is a place of power, French history and demonstration par excellence. A hundred guests are expected to attend the dinner in the famous Galerie des Batailles.

Duke Oliver of Rothsey appears adorned with the Order of the Legion of Honour, which he received from Emperor Napoléon IV earlier in the day. This lavish state dinner should allow the Francesim to assure its good feelings and support for the Scots kingdom. It is a very formal event, and under high surveillance: imperial guards, bodyguards, snipers, police… All the more so as the state dinner is filmed live.

The radiant Empress Marie-Joséphine walks with the Prime Minister, Charlemagne de Maupas. She wears the sapphire finery of the Duchess of Angouleme and the ribbon of the Legion of Honour.

The young guest duke, who will soon be joining the Polytechnic School with the Children of Francesim, will be able to experience the world-renowned French cuisine on his first day !

(Collaboration with @officalroyalsofpierreland)

TRADUCTION FR

Dîner d'État à Versailles : l'Empereur Napoléon IV offre à son hôte royal l'antre du Roi Soleil.

Pour la première fois durant son règne, Sa Majesté Impériale reçoit à Versailles une puissance étrangère. En effet, recevoir à Versailles est extrêmement rare, il s'agit donc d'une attention particulière de l'Empereur. Le château de Versailles est un lieu de pouvoir, d'histoire française et de démonstration par excellence. Une centaine d'invités sont attendus ce soir au repas à la célèbre Galerie des Batailles.

Le duc Oliver de Rothsey apparaît orné de l'ordre de la Légion d'Honneur, qu'il a reçu de l'Empereur Napoléon IV plus tôt dans la journée. Ce fastueux dîner d'État devrait permettre à la Francesim d'assurer ses bons sentiments et son soutien au royaume des Scots. Il s'agit d'un événement très protocolaire, et sous haute surveillance : gardes impériaux, gardes du corps, snipers, police... D'autant plus que le dîner d'État est filmé en direct.

La rayonnante Impératrice Marie-Joséphine marche en compagnie du Premier Ministre, Charlemagne de Maupas. Elle porte la parure saphir de la duchesse d'Angoulême et le ruban de la Légion d'Honneur.

Le jeune duc invité, qui rejoindra bientôt l'École polytechnique avec les enfants de Francesim, pourra faire l'expérience de la cuisine française de renommée mondiale dès son premier jour !

[nordleuchten]

The (early) Relationship between Georges de La Fayette and Louis Philippe I

Lately I have gone back to “the roots” so to speak – in other words, I have read the French version of La Fayette’s memoirs (and again realized that the first English version I read was somewhat strange.)

While reading, I found this passage in the fifth volume:

Je ne con les ducs d'Angoulême et de Berry; mais la manière dont le duc d'Orléans demanda de mes nouvelles à mon fils, qu'il avait vu aux États - Unis , me fit un devoir d'aller chez lui

My translation:

I don't know the dukes of Angoulême und de Berry; but the manner in which the Duc d’Orléans inquired after my son, whom he had seen in the United States, made it my duty to go to him.

Most of you are probably aware of the fact that the relationship between the La Fayette’s and the d’Orléans’ often was … interesting to say the least. The Marquis de La Fayette and the Ducs father, Louis Philippe II, Duke of Orléans or “Philippe Égalité” really did not get along during the French Revolution. In that context it is quite interesting to see how their sons connected.

During the course of the French Revolution Louis Philippe II was executed via the guillotine and his sons fled the country. His oldest son, the new Duc d’Orléans, the one mentioned in the quote above, lived in Switzerland before moving to England and later spending two years in North America, mostly in Philadelphia. In April of 1797 he and two of his brother visited Mount Vernon in Virginia before embarking on a three-month trip of the American backcountry. By October they had concluded their trip and George Washington noted in his diary for October 30, 1797:

30. Wind brisk from No. Wt. & cold. Mer. at 54. Doctr. Stuart went away after breakfast. Mr. Cottineau & Lady, Mr. Rosseau & Lady, the Visct. D’Orleans, & Mr. De Colbert came to Dinner & returned to Alexa. afterwards. A Mr. Stockton from N. Jerseys came in the afternoon.

“[Diary entry: 30 October 1797],” Founders Online, National Archives, [Original source: The Diaries of George Washington, vol. 6, 1 January 1790 – 13 December 1799, ed. Donald Jackson and Dorothy Twohig. Charlottesville: University Press of Virginia, 1979, pp. 265–266.] (09/29/2022)

By late 1797, Georges and Felix Frestel had begun their preparations to return to Europe but Georges would not be reunited with his family prior to February of 1798. I am therefor not quite sure if Georges and the Duc d’Orléans met during one of the described instances or elsewhere. Georges certainly had spent his fair share of time in Philadelphia as well.

One way or the other, the two young Frenchman in exile met and seemingly got along quite nicely. I have sadly never found a statement by Georges himself on the meeting or their subsequent relationship.

[germanaustriannoblesandroyals]

House of Albret, of La Marck & of Bourbon: Jeanne d’Albret, The Queen of Navarre

Jeanne was born as the first and oldest child of King Henry II of Navarre and his wife French princess Marguerite d'Angoulême.

Her education was overseen not by her parents but by her maternal uncle King Francis I of France. Jeanne was raised in the Château de Plessis-lèz-Tours in the Loire Valley and lived apart form her parents. Her tutor was the humanist Nicholas Bourbon.

From an early age, Jeanne was described as frivolous and high-spirited as well as stubborn and unyielding. Emperor Charles V offered his son Philip (later King Philip II of Spain) as her husband. However, Jeanne’s uncle Francis forced her into a marriage with Duke William of Jülich-Cleves-Berg, the brother of Anne, Sybille and Amalia of Cleves. Jeanne was only twelve while her husband was already twenty-four.

Jeanne heavily protested this marriage. She was whipped and beaten to make her obedient but she continued protesting anyway. Before her wedding, she made sure to sign two documents which also bear the signature of witnesses that she does not consent to the marriage. The twelve year old girl was however carried to the altar and married off.

The marriage remained childless and when Jeanne was sixteen, William signed a treaty with The Emperor to end his alliance with France in exchange for the return of the Duchy of Guelders. The marriage between William and Jeanne was annulled on the basis of her missing consent and due to it never being consumated. Jeanne would remain at court however.

When Jeanne was 19 she remarried. This time to Antoine de Bourbon, Duke of Vendôme. The marriage resulted in five children, among them the future King Henry III of Navarre and IV of France. 

// Siobhan Williams in Reign (2013-17)

[kingedwardvi]

Calendar of State Papers Foreign: Edward VI 1547-1553

1550

January 27. Place torn away.  Count Ludovico Rangone to the Duke of Somerset. Returns thanks for renewed instructions to the Ambassador for the promoting of his affairs with the Emperor. [Italian. Half a page.]

---

March 24. Copy of the treaty of peace at Boulogne. [Fifteen pages. Printed by Rymer, Vol. xv., p. 211, ed. 1728.]

--- 1550. April. [Before the 6th.] "Memorandum of the Commission [to the Earl of Huntingdon, Lord Cobham, and Sir John Wallop] for delivery and receipt of the hostages." [Three pages. Draft.]

--- June. "The names of the French gentlemen." A list of the French Ambassadors Extraordinary, and those who accompanied them to England in May 1550, partly in the handwriting of Cecil. [One page.]

--- June 2. Westminster. The Council to Sir John Masone. Narrates the reception of M. de Chastillon and others sent to England to receive the King's ratification of the treaty of Boulogne, with the entertainments provided for them. Mentions the discussion of matters connected with the peace; such as the liberation of prisoners, restoration of captured vessels, and the demolition of Roxburgh and Eymouth.

Enumerates the presents made to them by the King. Refers to Bowes' proceedings with the Scots, and the encroachments made by the French at Calais. The King having pardoned some Frenchmen justly condemned to death, the Council hope that if any Englishmen are in similar case, the like clemency may be shown to them by the French monarch. [Ten pages. Partly printed by Tytler, Vol. i., p. 284. Copy in Sir J. Masone's Letter-Book.]

---- June 3. Konigsberg. Albert Marquis of Brandenburg to the Duke of Somerset, "Lord Protector." Letters of credence for John Alasco. [Latin. One page.]

---- June 14. Paris. Sir John Masone to the Council. Had received their letters on the 2d and 5th. The reception of the French Commissioners gave much satisfaction. Details his interview with the French King on preceding Thursday, in reference to the encroachments at Calais. 

Having had secret intelligence of the arrival at the French Court of George Paris, sent from Ireland by M'William with letters of credence, and of the despatch to Ireland of M. de Botte, a Breton, disguised as a merchant, mentions his conversation with the King as to these practices with the Irish. 

Had conferred with the Constable regarding the frontiers and the Scots at St. Andrew's. Recommends caution and preparation. Various reasons assigned for the Emperor going to the diet at Augsburg. Expense of living in France. Stourton desires to return to England, but is afraid to do so without warrant of protection. Sends a cipher. [Ten pages and a half. Copy in Sir J. Masone's Letter-Book. Partly printed by Tytler, Vol. i., p. 291.]

--- June 29. Poissy. Sir John Masone to the Council. Since Francisco's departure has had one or two conferences with the Constable as to the frontiers, and had been again in hand with him touching Ireland, about which country there is some stir in the French Court worthy to be looked into. These Irish wild beasts should be hunted down. T

The Emperor is reported to have left Spires on the 13th, and is expected at Augsburg on the 20th. He has grown into a notable pensiveness, and is specially troubled that peace has been concluded between France and England without him, and that he cannot frame his son to such a sort as he much desires

Notable feud between Roygnac and De Nevers. The Bishop of Rome has made an old bawd of his Cardinal, having neither learning nor any other virtue or good quality, wherewith the Holy College are much offended. Has been requested to intercede for François Robin, formerly in the service of Sir Thomas Speke, now a prisoner in the Marshalsea on suspicion of being a spy. 

Stourton still importunes to obtain licence for him to return; his companion Horsemonden, than whom never was there a verier ruffian, and who to make himself a gentleman has fathered himself upon Pole's kindred, bragging the said Pole to be his uncle, has been commanded to avoid the Court. 

Great want of rain lately, but much fallen within the last three days. The French King has nominated Basse Fontaine and Erskine Ambassadors to the Regent for pacifying the matters of Scotland. On the 27th, between four and five in the morning, the Queen was delivered of a son, whom they call M. D'Angoulême. Various surmises who shall be the godfathers; they who know much say that the Queen is desirous the King of England should be one of them, and that for that purpose a gentleman will shortly be sent to England. [Six pages and a half. Copy in Sir J. Masone's Letter-Book. Partly printed by Tytler, Vol. i., p. 301.]

---

June 30. Westminster. The Council to Sir John Masone. Send further instructions how to act in the matter of the encroachments. Sundry requests as to prisoners had been preferred by the French Ambassador. Inform him of the prohibition against the exportation of horses from Scotland to France through England, in consequence of their great scarcity and high price. 

The French Ambassador had had appointed for his lodging the Lady Yardford's house,—one of the fairest in London,—but this he misliked, and as such as he wished were occupied by noblemen and others who cannot be dislodged, he seemed not altogether satisfied, although offered the best that could be had Scottish ships on the coasts of Cornwall, Devonshire, Essex, Sussex, and Suffolk, having not only pillaged the Emperor's subjects, and the Portuguese trading with the English, but also of late spoiled the King's subjects, proclamation had been made forbidding them to be supplied with provisions or other necessaries in any of his Majesty's ports. Send letter from Bowes of the 19th instant in regard to the Scots. [Five pages. Copy in Sir J. Masone's LetterBook.]

---

July 20. Poissy. Sir John Masone to the Council. Complains of the French Ambassador's misrepresentation of him in regard to the Scottish hostages, and gives an account of his explanatory interview with the French King and the Constable, who said that the Ambassador had been mistaken, but that, under the impression of a promise of their liberty having been made by some of the Council in London, the King had released the Scots taken at St. Andrew's, who otherwise should have rotted in prison, so cruel was their offence, so cruel was their murder [of Cardinal Beaton]. 

The King refused to interfere for the Archbishop of Glasgow, who must "stand to his folly." Incloses memorial from de L'Aubespine as to liberation of the French prisoners in Jersey. After great suit by the French King, and considerable difficulty made therin, the Bishop of Rome has extended the jubilee to the French Court. One or two sons of Lord Stafford have lately passed through Paris towards Rome; knows not whether Horsemonden has gone with them, but here he appears no more. 

The Emperor's Ambassador and Nuncio from the Bishop of Rome have of late been twice or thrice at the Court together, it is supposed to persuade the King to agree to the Council. Intended exchange of the Emperor's Ambassadors at Rome and France. Roygnac's castle taken, and himself escaped to Flanders. No English prisoners now at Marseilles. 

In seven or eight days the Prior of Capua and suite go to England on their way to Scotland to bring the Queen. Having the grant of the keeping of the abbey of Abingdon by letters patent, requests the Council's aid against the recusancy of a previous occupant to vacate the same. M. de Humiez, who was the Dauphin's governor, is dead. 

Villebonne, who made the first payment of the money [conditioned in the surrender of Boulogne], is also to make the second; it is whispered at Court that his present at said first payment was very simple; if it were so, the Council have now occasion to make amends. [Ten pages. Copy in Sir John Masone's Letter-Book.]

--- July 26. "Acta Conventus Augustani anni 1550 summatim et breviter expositis Ces. M. ac principum responsis confecta xxvj° Julii, ex Cæsa. Matis. propositione." Copy of the proceedings at the Diet of Augsburg, assembled professedly for terminating the difference between the Catholics and the Protestants. [Latin. Twenty-one pages.]

---

August 3. Poissy. Sir John Masone to the Council. The Prior of Capua has altered his intention of going to Scotland by way of England, and has gone to Rouen, whence he will depart within three or four days. Has this day been to Court for redress of injury done to certain Englishmen in Brittany. 

Has been required to write for the good entreating of the Queen Dowager of Scotland, in case she should be driven by stress of weather into any English port, or require a passport for a hackney or two. It is said she is to be married to the King of Navarre, whom the Lady Margaret has refused. 

Sends much general information relating to the Emperor's proceedings, and of those of the Bishop of Rome in regard of the French bishops. Has had an interview with Geoffrey Pole [younger brother of the Cardinal], who, being very desirous to return to England requested him to write for permission to do so. 

In consequence of Andelot not having returned from Spain, the King has deferred his journey to Rouen, whither he will not likely go till the 15th of next month. M. de Thermes comes from Scotland in the French King's company. [Seven pages. Copy in Sir J. Masone's LetterBook. Printed, except one paragraph, by Tytler, Vol. i., p. 308.]

----

August 11. Windsor. The Council to Sir John Masone. On Sunday the 3d inst. the French Ambassador had audience of his Majesty at Windsor, when he exonerated Masone in the matter of the Scottish hostages, and sought to transfer the blame to some of the Council, which they repudiated. 

He also presented letters from the French King, Queen Dowager of Scotland, and two from the Scottish Queen, requesting a safe conduct for the galleys that were to convey the said Queen Dowager and her suite, with permission to send 300 horses through England; which requests were acceded to, the number of horses being reduced to 200. 

A safe conduct for Henry Sinclair, Dean of Glasgow, and Thomas Menzies of Pitfoddels, with 24 men and horses, has also been granted. The Ambassador also intimated that the second payment for Boulogne was to be ready there on the 4th inst., and requested the sending of Commissioners to receive the same and set free the three remaining hostages. 

Farther, had arranged for an interview between the English Commissioners on the Scottish border and the Scottish Commissioners touching the castle of Edrington and a fishing place in the Tweed. Desired to communicate all the preceding to the French King at his next audience. Instructions for the protection of Somerset herald [Atkynson] from the effects of a liability for a prisoner in France six years before. [Eight pages. Copy in Sir J. Masone's Letter-Book.]

---

August 26. Poissy.232. Sir John Masone to the Council. Had received their Lordships' letters, and communicated to the French King their concessions in regard of the Scottish Queen, as also the invasion of the debateable land by 2,000 Scots and 400 or 500 Frenchmen. 

His Majesty admitted that he had heard something of this previously, but supposed it to have been a mere private quarrel between an Englishman and a Scotchman concerning the erection of a border peel. Expressed his regret and would issue immediate orders for the prevention of such in future; and confidentially informed him of a design by the Emperor and Lady Regent to send Skipperus to the English coast to carry away the Lady Mary, and of the Emperor's hatred of England, in despite of which he had made this cruel inquisition for heresy in the Low Countries.

Mentions his conference with the Constable as to the affair of Somerset herald. Great preparations are made for the reception of the Scottish Queen, for whose coming the christening has been deferred, the King desiring to have her as godmother. M. de Guise, with the flower of the nobility, has gone to Dieppe to meet her. Before going to Scotland the Prior of Capua provided for above 1,000 ells of white damask wherewith to apparel the slaves and mariners. 

Again applies in regard of liberating the French prisoners in Guernsey and Jersey. Has often been required to write on behalf of a merchant of Orleans, whose ship of wines had been seized at Dover long since by the late Admiral, but had positively refused to do so, the matter being so old; yet the same being so pitiful, he cannot hold his pen from recommending it to their Lordships, if there be any remedy. [Seven pages and a half. Copy in Sir J. Masone's Letter-Book.] 

---

Sept. (prior to 6th.)  Commission from Henry II., King of France, to certain Commissioners appointed to meet with those of the Emperor for the purpose of settling commercial disputes between their subjects in Flanders. [Three pages. Copy.]

--- Sept. 10. Poissy. Sir John Masone to the Council. For the last 10 or 12 days the Queen of Scots has been so dangerously ill of the prevailing flux, that her recovery was doubted, but within the last two she is considered to be out of danger. On Sunday the Duke of Angoulême was baptized by the name of Charles Maximilian, so given by the Deputy of the King of Bohemia (no longer called Archduke), who being godfather had place above the King of Navarre. 

The deputy godmother was the King's bastard daughter, who held the infant in place of the Duchess of Ferrara. Mentions the entertainment and presents given to the Deputy and his suite. The non-arrival of the Dowager Queen of Scotland had caused considerable alarm at the Court, lest the recent storms should have driven her to the coast of Flanders, but they have been relieved by hearing that she did not embark until last Saturday. 

Immediately on his return M. de Thermes is to go as Ambassador to Rome, and the present one there, M. d' Urfé, is to come to be governor of the Dauphin in room of the late M. de Humiez. Revision of the mintage. M. de Biez is released from close confinement, and it is thought will eventually be restored altogether, much to the disappointment of Chastillon. 

Three or four ships have lately arrived from England laden with images, which have been sold at Paris, Rouen, and other places, and being eagerly purchased, give to the ignorant people occasion to talk according to their notions; which needed not had their Lordships' command for defacing of them been observed. 

The Sherif had attempted to surprise Oran, but being chased by Don Bernardine de Mendoça, had gone to Argel [Algiers] to see if he could succeed better there. 

"This good fellow seemeth to be indifferent to all men, and careth not of what religion he be from whom he may catch any place to put his foot in." 

Dragut Rey lately had made a descent on the African coast. Urges the regular payment of his salary, to prevent the necessity of his borrowing, which he must do at 40 per cent. besides interest, in consequence of the depreciation of the currency, so that his daily allowance of five marks a day does not yield him 40 shillings, while his expenses amount to double that sum. 

The French King leaves this about Monday or Tuesday next week, and is to spend six or seven days at Anet, a residence of Madame de Valentinois, intending to enter Rouen on the 25th if no alteration in his plan. The Constable has had leave of absence till the King arrives at Anet, and has gone to his house called Chantilly. [Three pages. Copy in Sir J. Masone's Letter-Book.]

---

Sept. 14. Poissy. Sir John Masone to the Council. Had their letters of the 6th, and on the 13th audience of the French King, who was attended by the Cardinal of Lorraine acting in absence of the Constable. The King returned thanks to his Majesty for the enlargement of the Archbishop of Glasgow, and was contented with the appointment of two Privy Councillors as Judges of Appeal from the Admiralty Court, of the delays and lack of justice in which he had heard many complaints. 

As to the Scots taken at St. Andrew's, he would defer the question of their full liberty till the arrival of the Queen Dowager, when that and all other matters connected with Scotland should be adjusted; but in the meanwhile would take steps to restrain the Scots on the borders. Has not lately seen De Boses, whom he believes to be attending on the Constable, but expects to see him at Rouen.

The Emperor's Ambassador here has written to the one in England to get him two geldings, and has requested Masone to be the means of procuring a licence for exporting them, notwithstanding the prohibition by reason of their great scarcity. 

"There is a little square between the Duchess of Valentinois, who ruleth the roast, and the Constable; a great many of the Court wisheth the increase thereof. He is very ill beloved, for that he is a hinderer of all men saving his own kinsfolks, whom he doth so advance as no man may have anything by his will but they, and for that also he feedeth every man with fair words, and performeth nothing." 

The King leaves for Rouen to-morrow, taking en route the Constable's houses, then Roche Guyon, and so to Anet. [Five pages and a half. Copy in Sir J. Masone's Letter-Book.]

---

Oct. 6. Rouen. Sir John Masone to the Council. Describes the entry of the French King into Rouen on the 1st of the month, the preparations in the city not having been completed by the 25th ult., in consequence whereof he had to reside in an abbey half a mile distant; but had kept the feast of St. Michael very solemnly within the city, when the order was conferred upon the Rhinegrave only, although there were four vacancies. 

Sets forth the various pageants exhibited. Has had communications with the Constable in regard to the Scots; the settlement of these matters is deferred until the arrival of the Master of Erskine, who is expected in three or four days. Has been spoken to on the subject of the commercial Commissioners, and had seen De Boses about the counterfeiting of the English money. 

Has this day waited upon the Queen Dowager of Scotland, who arrived on the 25th ult. with a large retinue of Scottish gentlemen, and had been received with much honour. Africa had been carried by assault on the 20th ult. with great loss. The English merchants much alarmed at the prospect of a war with France. 

Sends the names of the principal Scots who are with the Queen Dowager, and who are squabbling greatly among themselves about their lodgings. The King will remain eight or ten days, and then visit Dieppe and his other fortresses on the sea coast. 

The Emperor is still hot about the Council. The Pope's Nuncio and the Venetian Ambassador have been frequently of late with the King. The Duke D'Aumale is very desirous to have a portrait of the King of England, which he says was promised to him by his Majesty on his leaving England; urges that it may be sent to him while he is here as he speaks very highly of the King and of the realm, and of the courtesy which he met with there. [Six pages. Copy in Sir J. Masone's Letter-Book. Printed, with small omission, by Tytler, Vol. i., p. 325.]

--- Oct. 27. Westminster. The Council to Sir John Masone. Have received his last three letters, and commend his diligence. They are willing to entertain the Constable's proposition for a renewed negotiation by the same or other Commissioners, as he may prefer, but in the meanwhile require that the French troops quartered at Sandingfeld shall be withdrawn. 

Mention their subsequent interview with the French Ambassador on the same subject, and the right of the English to the disputed boundaries. Send memorial of certain depredations by the French on some natives of Jersey, transmitted to them by Sir Hugh Paulet, the Captain of said island; also another touching an Englishman, named Broughton, prisoner in the hands of Mons. de Brissac. [Seven pages. Copy in Sir J. Masone's Letter-Book.]

--- Oct. Proposal, by medium of Dr. Bruno, from Albert Marquis of Brandenburg, to raise troops for the service of King Edward VI., for which he shall have a pension of 2,000l. per ann., and the command of said troops. 

Refers to proposed marriage of the Marquis with the Princess Mary. Table showing descent of the Marquis from Frederick Burgrave of Nuremberg. [French. Five pages. Indorsed by Cecil, "Doct. Brunonis et Alb. Brandb. mq. opinio."]

---- Oct. Discourse by Dr. Bruno, wherein enumerating the various Sovereigns and Princes of Europe favourable to Protestantism, he proposed that each should send learned men, such as Bucer, Melancthon, &c., to the next pretended Council, for the purpose of disputing with the Papists, and if they should be unable to prevail, then to form a general league, and invoking King Edward to take the initiative. [Latin. Five pages. Indorsed by Cecil, "Discursus D. Brunonis."]

--- Oct. "Articles of the credence of the messenger from the Princes of Germany." With reference to forming a general league in defence of Protestantism; wherein is to be considered "the colour and craft whereby the war shall be dissembled not to be made for religion," and in such respect the league to be regulated by the terms of a "treaty of the Duke of Prussia with Mr. Alasco, had three years past." [Four pages. Indorsed by Cecil.]

---- Nov. 2. Caudebe. Sir John Masone to Sir William Cecil. Refers to his letter to the Council for an account of his proceedings. "If words can make all things hot, here lacketh none of that stuff." The French profess much, but he doubts their sincerity:. the thing that feareth him most being "that they know too well our estate, and thereby think they may ride upon our backs."

Is at present confined to bed with the gout, and his body so droops that he fears he shall never see the end of winter, a great part whereof will be spent in journeying. Earnestly begs to be recalled, as he would gladly die, if it might be, amongst Christian men. Mons. D'Estrees, who has been appointed to join the other Commissioners, is esteemed a sober, wise gentleman; he was lately captain of the guard, and has since been preferred to the office of the Ordnance, which is one both of more ease and reputation. 

Hopes the Council will select a person of like quality to answer him, and suggests Mr. Blount of the privy chamber, if he is sufficiently acquainted with the language, because having been long in these parts he knows the ground. Hears that their Lordships having found some fault with the rolls of Parliament, have determined to commit them to the Exchequer. If this is done in his absence, it may compromise him, and therefore begs it may be deferred until his return. [Two pages.]

---

Nov. 9. Augsburg. Philip Prince of Spain to King Edward VI. Much mutilated;—apparently recognizing the Ambassador sent in room of Sir Philip Hoby. [French. Broadside. Signed by the Prince, and countersigned "G. Perezius."]

---

Nov. 18. Westminster. King Edward VI. to Herman, formerly Archbishop of Cologne, re-accrediting the bearer James Omphalius on his return to the Archbishop. [Latin. Broadside. Signed by the Members of the Council. Indorsed "The King's Matie to the old B. of Collen."]

---

Nov. 29. Westminster. Commissions from the King to Sir John Wallop, Sir Richard Blunt, Sir Richard Rede, Dr. William Cooke, and Francis Hall, Esquire, to meet with the French Commissioners for settling the boundaries round Calais. Signed by his Majesty, and counter signed by the Lords of the Council. [Latin. Broadside. Indorsed "Commission to treat with Commissioners of frontiers about bounding of the frontiers."]

--- Nov. 30. Westminster. The Council to Sir John Masone. Send copy of a commission for settling the question of depredations, wherein the Dean of St. Paul's and Dr. Glyn of the Arches are appointed to act during the absence of Rede and Cooke. Mention the argument between them and the French Ambassador as to jurisdiction, &c., and that Sir Richard Blount of the privy chamber was appointed a Commissioner of the boundaries in room of Sir Thomas Wyat, who is unwell and unable to act. [Three pages. Copy in Sir J. Masone's LetterBook.]

--- Dec. 4. Blois. Sir John Masone to Sir William Cecil. Thanks him for assisting in obtaining his recall. Has written also to thank the Duke of Somerset and the Earl of Warwick, at whose good agreement he rejoices. T

There is much talk of the dissensions in England. Offers his opinion on the mistaken policy of a proclamation in England touching the price of cheese and butter. 

Desires the interference of the Council on behalf of Mr. Warner, who has been very ill handled at Winchester. As he has not heard who is to be his successor, has sent the names of some whom he considers fit. [Two pages. The greater portion printed by Tytler, Vol. i., p. 340.]

--- Dec. 12. Westminster.  King Edward VI. to Christian King of Denmark. Refers to the mission of Albert Knoppert, mentioned in the previous letter of 18th November. Some of the English merchants complain that the dues exacted at Elsinore from all ships of whatever tonnage, which prior to 1548 never exceeded a Henrician noble, of the value of ten shillings, have been raised to one pound on every hundred of the value of the freight, both going and coming. 

Requests that the ancient customs may be restored, or reason for this modern innovation be given by letter from his Majesty. Signed by his Majesty. [Latin. Broadside.] Duplicate, signed by the Council, viz.: Somerset, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Rich Lord Chancellor, Warwick, and Bedford. [Latin. Broadside.] Copy of the preceding in modern writing. Another copy.

--- Dec. 17. Westminster. The Council to Sir John Masone. Mention their conference with the French Ambassador on the preceding Sunday, when he made various trifling objections to the Commission for settling depredations. Complain of the conduct of the French Commissioners for the boundaries in advancing groundless claims, and desire him to request an audience of the French King for the purpose of remonstrance. [Five pages. Copy in Sir J. Masone's Letter-Book.]

---

Dec. 30. Blois. Sir John Masone to the Council. Had received their letter of the 17th on Christmas eve, and on St. Stephen's day had audience of the French King. Details this conference, and a subsequent one with the Constable on the same points of remonstrance; at both of which amity was strongly professed and entreaty made for friendship between the English and the Scots. 

Erskine arrived this day with the conclusion of peace between the Emperor and the Scots. Warlike preparations both by sea and land are great, and the completion of the ships formerly mentioned is hastened. Lately at Court war against the English had been strongly urged, on the ground of their internal dissensions, want of supplies, &c. 

The galleys for re-conveyance of the Queen Dowager of Scots are still at Rouen. The Earl of Huntly is lodged at Court, and much called to secret conferences; he has been twice or thrice with Masone making profession of friendship to the English, explaining his escape, and his desire to have a safe conduct to return by land. 

The French King leaves soon after Twelfthtide for Tours, and is reported thereafter to go to Guienne. The Landgrave had nearly escaped from Mechlin; if he had "there would have been shortly a jolly revel in Allmaigne." The Rhinegrave and his brother are reconciled. Chastillon, after long absence, has returned to Court, bringing with him 30 or 40 captains, and above 100 great horses. Among other marriages "muttered," is that of the Dauphin with the Queen of Scots. "Wavering Dr. Smythe," (fn. 1) who is presently reading at Paris, begs permission to return; his leaving England "was, he sayeth, for lack of living, being less ashamed to beg here than at home." 

States his own financial difficulties; he has exhausted his credit in England, sold all his own plate, "and shall shortly be driven for very extremity to do the like with the King's." "If the realm be in that poverty that the King's ministers of honour, who were wont to be served with the first, cannot be paid six months after the day, God help!" [Fourteen pages. Copy in Sir J. Masone's LetterBook.]

---- Dec. 30. Augsburg. Sir Richard Morysine to Cecil. (fn. 2) In consequence of a post from Rouen to Flanders having been robbed of his packets last week, he essays cipher, which if Cecil be as weary with finding as he is of hiding what he writes, he will henceforth be plainer. Is weary both of writing, and that he can by none of his letters get his diets to come a day sooner than they should. Others might better shift than he can. If he is not helped soon, he shall borrow no more where he borrowed last. [Two pages. Partly in cipher, undeciphered.]

[rhianna]

AuthorRyley, M. Beresford TitleQueens of the Renaissance ContentsPreface -- Catherine of Siena -- Beatrice d'Este -- Anne of Brittany -- Lucrezia Borgia -- Margaret d'Angoulême -- Renée, Duchess of Ferrara. LanguageEnglish LoC ClassD: History: General and Eastern Hemisphere SubjectBeatrice, consort of Lodovico Sforza il Moro, Duke of Milan, 1475-1497 SubjectBorgia, Lucrezia, 1480-1519 SubjectAnne, of Brittany, Queen, consort of Louis XII, King of France, 1476-1514 SubjectCatherine, of Siena, Saint, 1347-1380 SubjectMarguerite, Queen, consort of Henry II, King of Navarre, 1492-1549 SubjectRenée, of France, Duchess, consort of Ercole II d'Este, Duke of Ferrara, Modena, and Reggio, 1510-1575 CategoryText EBook-No.54346 Release DateMar 12, 2017 Copyright StatusPublic domain in the USA.

[chicot-premier]

The most famous depiction of the Saint Bartholomew’s Day Massacre (August 23-24, 1572), by François Dubois, 1570s or 1580s. (Trigger warning for violence: enlarge the picture or read the description below at your own risk.)

Translation of the painting’s description from the Wikimedia Commons page:

The topography is adapted and manipulated with the intention of showing the principal settings of the tragedy together. To the left, one recognizes the church of the monastery of the Grands-Augustins (now gone) where the tocsin that triggered the killings, the Seine, and the Pont des Meuniers. In the center of the background, the Louvre and, in front of the building, the black widow Catherine de' Medici, principal instigator of the massacres. In the foreground, the mansion in which Admiral de Coligny, leader of the Protestant party, was killed before being defenestrated [thrown out the window], decapitated, and castrated. Reunited around his corpse, the leaders of the Catholic party, the Dukes of Guise and Aumale and the Chevalier d'Angoulême [Henri d'Angoulême, Henri II's illegitimate son and Charles IX’s half-brother]. On the right side of the background, the Porte Saint-Honoré and, on the hill of La Villette, the gallows of Montfaucon, where the admiral's body would be suspended from his feet. Assembling more then 150 figures, the work is a veritable catalog of the cruelty of the period of civil wars. A disemboweled pregnant woman (on the right side of the painting in the foreground), children dragging food on the end of a rope (at the center of the foreground, to the right of the Pont des Meuniers, a woman on a rotisserie (just behind the children dragging the food), naked and piled corpses (notably at the feet of Catherine de' Medici), pillaged houses (behind the Catholic leaders). King Charles IX shoots an arquebus [matchlock gun] at his own subjects from a window of the Louvre (probably on the left side of the building). This painting is entirely exceptional because of the quality of its execution, but also because the contemporary representations of the Saint Bartholomew's Day Massacre are very rare. It bears the signature of the painter François Dubois, a Protestant from Amiens who lived as a refugee in Geneva after the massacres.

(Source: Wikimedia Commons; translation by yours truly)

In case you haven’t figured it out yet (and I’m sure you probably did early on), the painting is a Huguenot propaganda piece. Most scholars from the 20th century onward believe that Catherine de’ Medici did not order or instigate the massacres. I’m also fairly certain that the bit with Charles IX shooting the gun out the window is now believed to be a legend--although it does make for a very memorable scene in Alexandre Dumas père’s La reine Margot. (There was an article on Lesderniersvalois.com circa 2014 that debunked the Charles IX myth, but, unfortunately, the website is gone now and the article is not in the Internet Archive. The article--which was located here--essentially said that the arquebuses of the time had a very poor range and aim and that if Charles IX ever fired one out of the Louvre window, the lead ball ammunition would not have reached across the Seine as the legends claimed.)

[thetudorforum]

Contact us here if you wish to play one of them: https://thetudors.forumotion.com/t3171-france

Jeanne d'Angoulême, Countess of Bar-sur-Seine-Dame de Givry, Baroness of Pagny and of Mirebeau, was the illegitimate half-sister of King Francis I of France. Souveraine of Angoulême -was the illegitimate half-sister of King Francis I of France.  In 1534 Married French Ambassador Louis de Perreau, Sieur de Castillon. Madeleine of Angoulême-was the illegitimate half-sister of King Francis I of France Arabella Pisseleu Valois- illegitimate daughter of King Francis I of France, with his mistress Anne de Pisseleu d'Heilly. Elodie Quebec- lady in waiting . A fictional character, hers story is all yours to make. Jacqueline Jacobs- Lady in waiting at French court. A fictional character, hers story is all yours to make. Jacques Guillemeau- physician at french court, a fictional character, his story is all yours to make. Jane Rushmont[/b]- Cousin to Philippe Chabot, Ambassador of France. A fictional character, hers story is all yours to make. Charles de Lorraine - 2nd cardinal de Lorraine, one of the foremost members of the powerful Roman Catholic house of Guise and perhaps the most influential Frenchman during the middle years of the 16th century. He was intelligent, avaricious, and cautious. Claude of Lorraine, was a French aristocrat and general. He became the first Duke of Guise in 1528. He was the second son of René II, Duke of Lorraine, and Philippa of Guelders. He was educated at the French court of Francis I. At seventeen, Claude made an alliance to the royal house of France by a marriage with Antoinette de Bourbon (1493–1583), daughter of François, Count of Vendôme. René of Guise,Marquis d'Elbeuf-was the youngest son of Claude, Duke of Guise and Antoinette de Bourbon.He served as French ambassador to Scotland, and accompanied his sister Mary of Guise on her entrance to that country in 1561. He was also a patron of the arts, particularly of composer Pierre Clereau of Lorraine. Constance Kelly- lady in waiting to Ava Lafontaine, Duchess of Brittany and younger sister to Claude Valois Queen of France. A fictional character, hers story is all yours to make. Francis de Lorraine II- was a French soldier and politician. By religion, he practised catholicism, at a time when France was being polarized between the Catholics and Huguenots. Henry D'artagnan-[/b]Duke of Artagnan, and council member of Francis I court, a fictional character, his story is all yours to make. [b]Gustavo Chabot- Duke of Bourbon, and brother to Philippe Chabot, a fictional character, his story is all yours to make. Tristan Hilliard - Duke of Chambord, a fictional character, his story is all yours to make. Brigitte Rousselot - lady in waiting to Queen Claude, later becomes a mistress of Charles Brandon. Louis Castillon-Sieur de Castillon was the French ambassador to England during the reign of Henry VIII. He served at the English court from November 1537. Antoine Duprat was a French Cardinal and politician, Lord of Nantouillet, Count of Valtellina, Britain, and of the Duchy of Milan, was chancellor of France. Francis III, Duke of Brittany - eldest son of Francis I and Queen Claude and dauphin as well. (Dies in 1536) Charles II de Valois - Duke of Orleans Margaret of France - Duchess of Berry Emmanuel Philibert - Duke of Savoy and husband of Margaret of France Anne duc de Montmorency-was born at Chantilly to the ancient Montmorency family. His father, Guillaume, had a senior status in the household of the king Francis I. As a young boy he was brought up with the future King Francis I and they became close. In 1512, aged 19, Montmorency fought at the Battle of Ravenna. Richard Snyder-Knight Antoine Escalin de Almars-he was a French Ambassador to the Otttoman Empire from 1541 to 1547 and ("General of the galleys") from 1544., he was born in 1498 he is also known as Captain Polin

]Louis II of Orleans - Duke of Longueville; husband of Mary of Guise Louis d'Amboise - Lord of Bussy. Fictional

[heavyarethecrowns]

LGTBQA Royals

Pier Luigi Farnese, Duke of Parma

Pier Luigi Farnese had married Girolama Orsini, daughter of Luigi Orsini and wife and first cousin Giulia Conti and paternal granddaughter of the 6th Counts of Pitigliano. They had four children

He also had an illegitimate son, Orazio, who married Diane, Duchesse d'Angoulême and daughter of Henry II of France. 

Letters also exist from Pier Luigi's father, Paul III, reproaching him for taking male lovers when on an official mission to the court of the emperor; and another from the chancellor of the Florentine embassy detailing a man-hunt he had mounted in Rome to search for a youth who had refused his advances.

*Some of these are more rumour that fact so please take with a grain of salt and with the story given.*

[uhkayshuhmae]

The French Royal Family: Titles and Customs

Petit-Fils, Petite-Fille de France

“In the 1630s, a lower rank was created, namely petit-fils, petite-fille de France, for the children of the younger sons of a sovereign. This was designed for Anne-Marie-Louise d'Orléans, duchess of Montpensier, daughter of Gaston d'Orléans, at a time when the king Louis XIII had no children and his brother Gaston (heir presumptive) had only one daughter. The petits-enfants de France ranked after the enfants de France but before all other princes of the blood.

Collectively, the enfants de France and petits-enfants de France formed the Royal family.”

Princes du Sang

“In France, aside from a few exceptions, prince was not a title, but a rank that denoted dynasts, i.e., individuals with an eventual succession right to the throne. The word, and its connotation of sovereignty, was felt to be their preserve. Collectively known as the Princes du Sang (less often princes du sang de France, princes des lys) they were, in theory, all descendents in legitimate male line of a French sovereign outside of the royal family itself. The term dates from the 14th century. The princes of the blood all had a seat at the Conseil du Roi, or Royal Council, and at the Paris Parlement.

In the 17th and 18th centuries it became customary to restrict the term of prince du sang to those dynasts who were not members of the Royal family, i.e. children or grandchildren in male line of the sovereign, since those became known as the enfants and petits-enfants de France.

Kings were somewhat selective in their choice of who was treated as prince of the blood.”  

Premier Prince du Sang

“Ranking among the princes du sang was by order of succession rights. The closest to the throne (excluding any fils de France) was called Premier Prince du Sang. In practice, it was not always clear who was entitled to the rank, and it often took a specific act of the king to make the determination.

As the first two were members of the Royal Family and thus outranked other princes of the blood, it was felt that the rank would not honor them enough, and the deceased's son Louis de Bourbon-Condé took the rank, although the duc de Chartres drew the pension (the source for this is Sainctot, cited in Rousset de Missy).

On the death of Louis de Bourbon-Condé in 1709 the title would have passed to the duc d'Orléans, nephew of Louis XIV, but he did not use it (he did, however, call himself first prince of the blood on occasion.)  After the duc d'Orléans's death in December 1723, his son officially received the title. It remained to the head of the Orléans family until 1830. However, at the death of the duc d'Orléans in 1785, it was decided that, once again, the duc d'Angoulême, son of the king's brother, ranked too high for the title, and it was granted to the new duc d'Orléans (letters patent of 27 Nov 1785); but Louis XVI decided that the duc d'Orléans would hold the title until the duc d'Angoulême had a son who could bear it.

The rank of "premier prince du sang" was not purely a court title or a precedence. It carried with it legal privileges, notably the right to have a household (maison), such as the king, the queen, and the enfants de France each did. A household was a collection of officers and employees, paid for out of the State's revenues, and constituted a miniature version of the royal administration, with military and civil officers, a council with a chancelor and secretaries, gentlemen-in-waiting, equerries, falconers, barbers and surgeons, a chapel, etc.”

Styles and Precedence of the Princes du Sang

Precedence

“Until the 15th century, precedence among princes of the blood, or even between them and other lords, depended on the title... [A]n edict of 1576 set that princes of the blood would have precedence over all lords, and between them by order in the line of succession rather than by their titles.

Precedence was set according to the following rules (Guyot, loc. cit., vol. 2, p. 382; he is in fact citing Rousset de Missy, who is himself citing Sainctot Sr., who was introducteur des ambassadeurs under Louis XIV).

All princes of the blood were divided into:

children of the current sovereign and children of his eldest son,

children of the previous sovereign and children of his eldest son,

all others.

The first two categories formed the royal family (Guyot says children and grandchildren, but I [original author] interpret his words strictly).

Precedence was set:

by category (i.e., anyone of category 1 outranked anyone of category 2)

within category:

between males, according to the order in the line of succession,

between males and females, according to the right of succession (that is, males before females),

between females, according to the degree of kinship with the king.

Thus the son of the Dauphin outranked the king's brother or younger son, but the daughter of a Dauphin was outranked by the king's daughter; the king's daughter in turn outranked the king's brother or sister. Wives took the rank of their husbands, so a Dauphin outranked a king's sister.

Another illustration of these rules is found in the listing of French princes and princesses in the Almanach Royal of 1789, a semi-official directory of the French state (see p. 33 and p. 34). The order is:

the king and the queen

the king's two sons (group 1, males)

the king's daughter (group 1, females)

the king's brothers and their wives (group 2, males)

the king's sisters (group 2, females)

the king's aunts (group 2, females)

the children of the king's younger brother (group 3)

the Orléans branch, males followed by females

the Bourbon-Condé branch, males followed by females

the Bourbon-Conti branch, males followed by females

Formal Styles

The following styles were highly formal and used only in the most official documents, such as treaties, contracts, tombstones, and the like, according to a règlement of 1688 cited by Guyot (Traité des droits, vol. 2, p. 371):

The heir apparent, titled Dauphin de Viennois (and not "du Viennois" as sometimes written) or more commonly Dauphin, was called très haut, très puissant et excellent Prince

The eldest brother of the King and the Premier Prince du Sang was très haut et très puissant Prince (e.g., Bossuet's Oraison funèbre de Louis de Bourbon, where the deceased is named très haut et très puissant prince Louis De Bourbon, prince De Condé, premier prince du sang; Oeuvres Oratoires, 1922, vol. 5, p. 425).

The other Princes of the Blood were très haut et puissant Prince.

Foreign princes at the Court were haut et puissant Prince.

The enfants and petits-enfants de France were entitled to the style of Royal Highness (Altesse Royale) since the 17th century (thus, the duc d'Orléans, Regent from 1715 to 1723, is styled SAR in the Almanach Royal of 1717). Other princes of the blood were only entitled to Most Serene Highness (Altesse Sérénissime) from 1651 to 1824, when they received the style of Royal Highness. Princes of the blood were the only ones in France entitled to the style of "Highness", according to an arrêt of the Parlement of Paris of 14 Dec 1754 which forbade the bishop of Metz to use that style (Guyot, Traité des droits, vol. 2, p. 371).”

Titles

“A younger son was usually given a title fairly early, although for some reason the French royal family developed the habit of baptizing royal children at a late age. The child received a private baptism at birth (ondoiement) and would be known by his title, which was announced by the king immediately after the birth. When a younger son reached maturity, he was usually given an apanage: whereas the title might not carry any actual possession of lands and fiefs with it, an apanage would. The rule on apanages was that they would return to the crown after extinction of the male line, although any other property acquired by the apanagiste could pass on to a daughter. The custom of the apanage was adopted on a systematic basis in the early 13th c. Usually, the most recently acquired domains were given out as apanages. Among the lands used as apanages are Artois, Anjou, Maine, Poitiers, Valois, Alençon, Blois, Chartres, Clermont, Bourbon, Evreux, Orléans, Touraine, Berry, Auvergne, Bourgogne, Guyenne, Angoulême, Provence.

In the 16th and 17th c., the titles of Orléans, Anjou, and Berry became customary for younger sons. The brother of Louis XIV was given Orléans as apanage and his line continued, so the title became unavailable. Every duc d'Anjou, on the other hand, seemed to die without posterity or accede to some throne: the title was thus used repeatedly. When Louis XV's eldest son had a second son, the king was set against using Anjou, apparently because of the bad luck associated with it (duc de Luynes, Mémoires, 13:49; see also Journal de Barbier, 5:416), and used Aquitaine instead, a title unused since the Middle Ages.”

Family Names and Titles of Younger Sons

“A son of France was born de France: all his descendants, however, had his main title (whether an apanage or a courtesy title) as their family or last name. Thus the son of Philippe de France (1640-1701), duke of Orléans, was born Philippe d'Orléans, even though he was also petit-fils de France (see, for example, the text of his renunciation to his rights to the crown of Spain in 1712: the renunciation begins "Philippe, petit-fils de France, duc d'Orléans" but he signs "Philippe d'Orléans"; his cousin the duc de Berry signs his renunciation "Charles").

Although the king of France had no family name, and his children were born "de France", there was a sense in which a certain house was on the throne. The legitimized children of kings took as family name the name of the house: for example, the son of Charles IX, was known as Charles de Valois, duke of Angoulême (the name of the house was officially Valois because François I had been made duc de Valois in 1498 before ascending the throne). The legitimized children of Henri IV and Louis XIV all had Bourbon as family name.”

Men

“In general, a titled person was called Monsieur le duc de Villeroy, or Monsieur le comte d'Alaincourt and addressed as Monsieur le duc, Monsieur le comte; the same went for members of the royal family, until the 16th century, when a certain number of forms of address came into use. Starting under Henri III, the eldest brother of the king was called Monsieur (frère du Roi), his wife was Madame (See Brantôme). These usages only became established with Gaston, younger brother of Louis XIII. The king's younger brother retained this style after the death of his brother, so that, from 1643 to 1660 there were two Monsieurs, the brother of the deceased Louis XIII and the brother of the reigning Louis XIV (they were called le Grand Monsieur and le petit Monsieur). The style was later used for the count of Provence, brother of Louis XVI, and later for the count of Artois when Louis XVIII reigned.

The Dauphin, son of Louis XIV, was known simply as Monseigneur, although that seemed to be peculiar to Louis XIV's son: the usage originated with Louis XIV, perhaps as a jest, and no other Dauphin was ever known as Monseigneur (they were called Monsieur le Dauphin). The grandsons of Louis XIV were also called Monseigneur: Monseigneur duc de Bourgogne, Monseigneur duc d'Anjou, Monseigneur duc de Berry (Almanach Royal, 1706), or more formally, Monseigneur Fils de France duc de *** (Almanach Royal, 1713). Similarly, in the 1789 Almanach Royal one sees "Monseigneur comte d'Artois" and his wife "Madame comtesse d'Artois".”

Women

“At the Bourbon court, all the daughters of the king and of the dauphin were called "Madame" and collectively known as "Mesdames de France", and for all but the eldest one the given name was added. Thus, the daughters of Louis XV were known as Madame [Adélaïde], Madame Victoire, Madame Sophie, Madame Louise; before their baptism, they were known as "Madame [de France] première/Aînée", "Madame [de France] seconde", etc (see the Almanach Royal, 1738). Note, however, that at their birth in 1727 the twin daughters of Louis XV were called "Madame de France" and "Madame de Navarre". The first three (surviving) daughters were baptized the same day, on Apr. 27, 1737 (Louise Elisabeth, Henriette Anne, and Marie Adélaîde).

The eldest of the "dames de France" was either known as "Madame de France" (e.g., Elizabeth, eldest daughter of Henri IV and later queen of Spain), "Madame", or, if that title was used by the wife of Monsieur, brother of the king, as "Madame Royale". Thus Louis Louise-Elisabeth (1727-59), eldest daughter of Louis XV (who had no brother), was known as Madame from her baptism in 1737 until her marriage to the Infante Felipe of Spain in 1739, when she became Madame Infante (and later Madame Infante Duchesse de Parme). Adélaïde, daughter of Louis XV, was called Madame from 1752 until 1771 when she became Madame Adélaïde. The daughter of Louis XVI (who had a married brother) was known as Madame Royale until her marriage to her cousin the duc d'Angoulême.”

Until 1700 or so, the title of "Madame Royale" seemed to be used for princesses of collateral branches. Here are some examples:

Christine (or Chrétienne), {\it second\/} daughter of Henri IV, wife of the duke of Savoie, is called (after her marriage) "Madame Royale Chrétienne de France, Duchesse R��gente de Savoie" in a 1645 treaty.

Henriette-Marie, third daughter of Henri IV, is said to have invented the English style of "Princess Royal" for her eldest daughter.

Anne Marie d'Orléans (1669-1728), second daughter of Monsieur (but at the time the most senior unmarried princess) is called "Madame Royale" by Dangeau in 1684 (Journal, 1:6, 1854 ed.); that year, she married the duke of Savoy, but Dangeau still referred to her as "Madame Royale" after her marriage: "On eut nouvelles que madame royale étoit accouchée d' une fille ; M De Savoie en envoya ici porter la nouvelle"; and even decades later, he calls her "Madame Royale de Savoie" (19 May 1716), "Madame la duchesse Royale de Savoie" (17 May 1718) or "Madame la duchesse royale" (28 Aug 1719).

Elizabeth Charlotte d'Orléans (1676-1744), third and last daughter of Monsieur (again the most senior unmarried princess at the court) is called "Madame Royale" by Dangeau in 1698 (ibid.,, 7:74) just before and after her marriage to the duke of Lorraine: "M Le Duc De Chartres devoit partir mercredi pour aller en Lorraine voir Madame Royale, sa soeur".

Mme de Sévigné's Correspondance, Jul 1676 (2:352, 1974 edition), Dec 1679 (2:770) uses it for Marie-Jeanne-Baptiste de Savoie-Nemours, wife (and after 1675 widow) of the duke of Savoy: "Vous savez que Madame Royale ne souhaite rien tant au monde que l' accomplissement du mariage de son fils avec l'infante de Portugal".

The first three examples have in common that the French princess married "beneath her", and retention of the style "Madame Royale" may have been intended to to recall the royal rank that the person held by birth, a rank deemed superior to that of her husband at a time when neither Savoy nor Lorraine enjoyed the style of Royal Highness.

In the junior branches, starting with the children of the king's brother, the daughters were called "Mademoiselle" either followed by the given name, or by a name recalling the titles of the family: thus Gaston's eldest daughter was known as Mademoiselle, but his other daughters were Mademoiselle d'Orléans, Mademoiselle d'Alençon, Mademoiselle de Valois, Mademoiselle de Chartres. This is probably due to the fact that baptisms took place quite late: Louise-Diane d'Orléans (1716-36) was baptised three days before her marriage in 1732. In 1720, Louise-Élisabeth d'Orléans (1709-42), daughter of the duc d'Orléans and called Mademoiselle de Montpensier, received the title of "Mademoiselle" after the marriage of her elder sister to the duke of Modena (Jean Buvat: Journal de la Régence, Paris 1875, 2:29). She was then the eldest unmarried French princess, excepting the abbess of Challes. She became queen of Spain in 1722, but was widowed in 1724 and returned to France where she was known as "la reine douairière d'Espagne" (dowager queen of Spain). In 1726 the duc de Bourbon (then prime minister) secured by brevet the style of Mademoiselle for his sister Louise-Anne, who was the only unmarried princess.”  

all from https://www.heraldica.org/topics/france/frroyal.htm

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Available Characters in France

Contact us here or at forum if you wish to play one of them:

Jeanne d'Angoulême, Countess of Bar-sur-Seine-Dame de Givry, Baroness of Pagny and of Mirebeau, was the illegitimate half-sister of King Francis I of France.

Souveraine of Angoulême -was the illegitimate half-sister of King Francis I of France.  In 1534 Married French Ambassador Louis de Perreau, Sieur de Castillon.

Guillaume Gouffier-Soldier

Lucy of Anjou- Duchess of Anjou

Madeleine of Angoulême-was the illegitimate half-sister of King Francis I of France

Arabella Pisseleu Valois- illegitimate daughter of King Francis I of France, with his mistress Anne de Pisseleu d'Heilly.

Jacqueline Jacobs- Lady in waiting at French court. A fictional character, hers story is all yours to make.

Jacques Guillemeau- physician at french court, a fictional character, his story is all yours to make.

Jane Rushmont[/b]- Cousin to Philippe Chabot, Ambassador of France. A fictional character, hers story is all yours to make.

Charles de Lorraine - 2nd cardinal de Lorraine, one of the foremost members of the powerful Roman Catholic house of Guise and perhaps the most influential Frenchman during the middle years of the 16th century. He was intelligent, avaricious, and cautious.

Claude of Lorraine, was a French aristocrat and general. He became the first Duke of Guise in 1528. He was the second son of René II, Duke of Lorraine, and Philippa of Guelders. He was educated at the French court of Francis I. At seventeen, Claude made an alliance to the royal house of France by a marriage with Antoinette de Bourbon (1493–1583), daughter of François, Count of Vendôme.

René of Guise,Marquis d'Elbeuf-was the youngest son of Claude, Duke of Guise and Antoinette de Bourbon.He served as French ambassador to Scotland, and accompanied his sister Mary of Guise on her entrance to that country in 1561. He was also a patron of the arts, particularly of composer Pierre Clereau of Lorraine.

Constance Kelly- lady in waiting to Ava Lafontaine, Duchess of Brittany and younger sister to Claude Valois Queen of France. A fictional character, hers story is all yours to make.

Francis de Lorraine II- was a French soldier and politician. By religion, he practised catholicism, at a time when France was being polarized between the Catholics and Huguenots.

Henry D'artagnan-[/b]Duke of Artagnan, and council member of Francis I court, a fictional character, his story is all yours to make.

[b]Brigitte Rousselot - lady in waiting to Queen Claude, later becomes a mistress of Charles Brandon.

Louis Castillon-Sieur de Castillon was the French ambassador to England during the reign of Henry VIII. He served at the English court from November 1537.

Antoine Duprat was a French Cardinal and politician, Lord of Nantouillet, Count of Valtellina, Britain, and of the Duchy of Milan, was chancellor of France.

Francis III, Duke of Brittany - eldest son of Francis I and Queen Claude and dauphin as well. (Dies in 1536)

Charles II de Valois - Duke of Orleans

Margaret of France - Duchess of Berry

Emmanuel Philibert - Duke of Savoy and husband of Margaret of France

Anne duc de Montmorency-was born at Chantilly to the ancient Montmorency family. His father, Guillaume, had a senior status in the household of the king Francis I. As a young boy he was brought up with the future King Francis I and they became close. In 1512, aged 19, Montmorency fought at the Battle of Ravenna.

Richard Snyder-Knight

Antoine Escalin de Almars-he was a French Ambassador to the Otttoman Empire from 1541 to 1547 and ("General of the galleys") from 1544., he was born in 1498 he is also known as Captain Polin

[b]Louis II of Orleans - Duke of Longueville; husband of Mary of Guise

Louis d'Amboise - Lord of Bussy. Fictional[/b][/b]

Charles Valois - son of Francis III and Marina d'Astor

Louise de Brézé- the elder of two daughters of Louis de Brézé and Diane de Poitiers, and wife to Claude de Lorraine, Duke of Aumale.

Filippa Duci-Mistresses

Gabrielle de Palstron-Duchess of Anjou

Chloe Beaulieu - Mistress; biological mother of Elsa Schroeder and Lorelei Hildebrand

Kathryn Beauchamp - governess; fictional character; her story is all yours to make

Philip I of Hesse -  Duke of Vendome

Gustavo Chabot -  Duke of Bourbon

Tristan Hilliard  -  Duke of Chambord

Diane de Poitiers  -  Duchess of Valentinois; mistress of Henry II

Lillian Hilliard  -  Lady of Chambord; sister of Tristan Hilliard

Mary of Bourbon  -  Princess of Frankia

Lisette Hilliard   -  daughter of Tristan Hilliard