Diane de Poitiers
| Diane de Poitiers | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Born |
3 September 1499 Château de Saint-Vallier, Saint-Vallier, Drôme |
| Died | 25 April 1566 (aged 66) Anet, Eure-et-Loir |
| Burial place | Château d'Anet, Anet, Eure-et-Loir |
| Title | The Grand Senechal(e) of Normandy Countess of Saint-Vallier Duchess of Étampes Duchess of Valentinois |
| Spouse(s) | Louis de Brézé, Seigneur d'Anet |
| Children |
Françoise de Brézé Louise de Brézé |
| Parent(s) |
Jean de Poitiers, Seigneur de Saint Vallier Jeanne de Batarnay |
Diane de Poitiers (3 September 1499 – 25 April 1566) was a French noblewoman and a prominent courtier at the courts of king Francis I and his son, King Henry II of France. She became notorious as King Henry's favourite. Because of this, she wielded much influence and power at the French Court, which continued until Henry was mortally wounded in a tournament accident. It was during this tournament that his lance wore her favour (ribbon) rather than his wife's.
The subject of paintings by François Clouet as well other anonymous painters, Diane was also immortalised in a statue by Jean Goujon.
She was born the daughter of Jean de Poitiers, Seigneur de Saint Vallier and Jeanne de Batarnay. When still a girl, she was briefly in the retinue of Anne de Beaujeu, eldest sister of King Charles VIII, a capable and highly intelligent woman who held the regency of France during his minority.
Diane was educated according to the principles of Renaissance humanism, in music, hunting, manners, languages, the art of conversation, and dancing. She learned how to read Latin and Greek, and became a keen hunter and sportswoman, remaining in good physical condition well into middle age.
At the age of 15, she married Louis de Brézé, seigneur d'Anet, who was 39 years her senior. He was a grandson of King Charles VII who served as a courtier of King Francis I. She bore him two daughters, Françoise de Brézé (1518–1574) and Louise de Brézé (1521–1577).
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Wikipedia