Anne Geneviève de Bourbon facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Anne-Geneviève de Bourbon |
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| Duchess of Longueville | |
Portrait by Charles and Henri Beaubrun
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| Born | 28 August 1619 |
| Died | 5 April 1679 (aged 59) Château of Vincennes, France |
| Burial | Carmel du faubourg Saint-Jacques, Paris, France |
| Spouse | Henri, Duke of Longueville |
| Issue Detail |
Charlotte Louise, Mademoiselle de Dunois Jean Louis Charles d'Orléans, Duke of Longueville Marie Gabrielle Charles Paris d'Orléans, Duke of Longuveille |
| House | Bourbon-Condé |
| Father | Henry II, Prince of Condé |
| Mother | Charlotte Marguerite de Montmorency |
| Religion | Roman Catholicism |
| Signature | _de_Bourbon_at_the_marriage_of_her_nephew_the_Duke_of_Enghien_in_1641.png){kind=small} |
Anne-Geneviève de Bourbon (born August 28, 1619 – died April 5, 1679) was a powerful French princess. She was known for her beauty and her important role in the civil wars called the Fronde. Later in her life, she became a follower of a religious movement called Jansenism.
Contents
Biography of Anne-Geneviève
Early Life and Education
Anne-Geneviève was the only daughter of Henri de Bourbon, who was a Prince of Condé. Her mother was Charlotte Marguerite de Montmorency. She was also the sister of the famous general, Louis, Grand Condé.
She was born in the Château of Vincennes prison. Her parents were held there because they were against Concino Concini, a powerful advisor to the Queen. At that time, Marie de' Medici was ruling France for her young son, King Louis XIII.
Anne-Geneviève grew up with strict rules in a convent in Paris. Her early life was sad because her uncle, Henri II de Montmorency, was executed in 1632. He had worked against Cardinal Richelieu, a very powerful minister. In 1635, her mother's cousin was also executed.
However, her parents later made peace with Richelieu. In 1635, Anne-Geneviève joined high society. She quickly became a popular figure at the Hôtel de Rambouillet. This place was a famous meeting spot for smart, witty, and fun people in France.
Marriage and Political Importance
In 1642, Anne-Geneviève married Henri II d'Orléans, Duke of Longueville. He was the governor of Normandy and was twice her age. Their marriage was not a happy one.
After Cardinal Richelieu died, Anne-Geneviève's father became a leader in the council that ruled France for the young King Louis XIV. Her brother Louis also won a great victory in the battle of Rocroi in 1643. Because of her family's power, the Duchess of Longueville became very important in politics.
In 1646, she went with her husband to Münster. He was sent there by Cardinal Mazarin to lead peace talks. Anne-Geneviève impressed the German diplomats who were working on the Peace of Westphalia. They even called her the "goddess of peace and concord."
Role in the Fronde Civil Wars
When she returned to France, Anne-Geneviève became close with the Duke of La Rochefoucauld. He used her influence to gain power for himself through her brother.
Anne-Geneviève was a key leader in the first Fronde. This was a series of civil wars in France. She convinced her second brother, Armand de Bourbon, and her husband to join the rebels. However, she could not convince her brother Condé to join them. His loyalty to the king's court helped end the first Fronde. During this time, she lived in Paris and had a child there.
The peace treaty did not make her happy. The second Fronde was largely her idea. She played a very important part in getting Condé and later Turenne to join the rebels.
Later Life and Jansenism
After the Fronde, Anne-Geneviève was no longer favored by the king. She decided to focus on religion. She moved with her husband to Rouen and spent her time doing good deeds. She became a follower of a religious movement called Jansenism.
She mostly lived in Normandy until 1663, when her husband died. Then she moved back to Paris. She became more and more devoted to Jansenism. Her strong faith and her past influence during the Fronde, along with her brother Condé's love for her, made her stand out.
The king forgave her and showed her great respect. She became a strong supporter of the Jansenists. She protected important Jansenist thinkers in her home. Her influence helped free Louis-Isaac Lemaistre de Sacy from prison. She also helped Simon Arnauld, marquis de Pomponne join the government.
Her famous letters to the Pope are an important part of the history of Port-Royal, a famous Jansenist convent. As long as she was alive, the nuns of Port-Royal des Champs were safe.
Her older son gave up his titles and became a Jesuit priest. Her younger son died in battle in 1672.
As her health got worse, she rarely left the Carmelite convent where she had been educated as a child. When she died in 1679, her brother Condé arranged a grand burial for her. As she wished, her heart was sent to the nuns of Port-Royal des Champs.
Children
- Charlotte Louise, Mademoiselle de Dunois (1645–1664).
- Jean Louis Charles d'Orléans, Duke of Longueville (1646–1694).
- Marie Gabrielle (1646–1650).
- Charles Paris d'Orléans, Duke of Longuveille (1649–1672).
See also
In Spanish: Ana Genoveva de Borbón-Condé para niños
