Catherine of Mayenne facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Catherine de Mayenne
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Catherine de Mayenne, duchess of Mantua
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| Born | 1585 |
| Died | 8 March 1618 |
| Nationality | French |
| Occupation | Aristocrat |
Catherine de Mayenne (born 1585 – died 8 March 1618) was a French noblewoman. She was also known as Catherine de Mayenne-Lorraine-Guise. She became the Duchess of Mantua when she married.
Her Life Story
Catherine de Mayenne was born in 1585. Her father was Charles, Duke of Mayenne. He was the younger brother of Henry of Guise. Her mother was Henriette de Savoie-Villars.
When she was 14, Catherine married Charles de Gonzague. This happened on February 1, 1599, in Soissons. She helped her husband a lot with his duties.
Catherine and Charles chose to leave the French royal court. They had six children together. They had three boys and three girls.
Catherine was very active in building new places. She helped create many convents and monasteries. She also founded churches, schools, and hospitals.
In Charleville, she started a college. It was run by the Society of Jesus. Young people learned about faith and reading there. She also founded a Capuchin convent and a hospital in that city.
She also helped build two Carmelite monasteries. There was also a Holy Sepulcher monastery. She founded a Franciscan convent and a Capuchin church. She also created a large priory for the Christian Militia. This place also served as a hospital.
In 1615, Catherine was chosen for an important task. She went with Elizabeth of France. Elizabeth was the sister of King Louis XIII of France. They traveled to the border of France and Spain. There, they welcomed Infanta Anna of Spain.
Catherine became ill after this trip. She died in Paris in 1618. She was 33 years old. A writer named Père Hilarion de Coste wrote about her. He said she was "wise, pure, and good." He also said she was "beyond all praise."
Her Children
Catherine and Charles had six children. Here are some details about them:
- François (1606–1622): He was known as Duke Francis III of Rethel. He passed away at age 16.
- Charles (1609–1631): He became Duke Charles III of Mayenne in 1621. This happened after his uncle, Henry of Lorraine, Duke of Mayenne, died. In 1622, he became Duke Charles IV of Rethel. He died at age 22.
- Ferdinand (1610–1632): He became Duke Ferdinand of Mayenne in 1631. This was after Charles passed away. He died at age 22.
- Marie Louise (1611–1667): She married King Władysław IV Vasa of Poland. After he died, she married his half-brother, King John II Casimir Vasa. She died at age 56.
- Bénédicte (1614–1637): She became a nun in 1633. She was the abbess of Avenay. She died at age 23.
- Anne-Marie (1616–1684): She reportedly married Henry II, Duke of Guise in secret. He later left her. In 1645, Anne married Edward of the Palatinate. He was the grandson of King James I. They had three daughters. She died at age 68.
See also
In Spanish: Catalina de Mayena para niños
