Françoise Charlotte d'Aubigné facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Françoise Charlotte
Lady of Maintenon Duchess of Noailles
d'Aubigné holding a portrait of her aunt, by the workshop of Nicolas de Largillière
Spouse(s)	Adrien Maurice, Duke of Noailles
Detail Issue
Louis, Duke of Noailles Marie Louise, Duchess of La Force Philippe, Duke of Mouchy
Full name
Françoise Charlotte Amable d'Aubigné
Noble family	Noailles
Father	Charles d'Aubigné
Mother	Geneviève Piètre
Born	(1684-05-05)5 May 1684 Kingdom of France
Died	6 October 1739(1739-10-06) (aged 55) Kingdom of France

Françoise Charlotte Amable d'Aubigné (born May 5, 1684 – died October 6, 1739) was an important lady in France. She was known as the Duchess of Noailles. Her husband was Adrien Maurice de Noailles, who was the 3rd Duke of Noailles. Françoise Charlotte was also the niece of a very famous woman named Madame de Maintenon. Madame de Maintenon was a close friend and later the secret wife of King Louis XIV. Françoise Charlotte became her aunt's main heir.

A Young Girl's Journey to Nobility

Françoise Charlotte was the only child of Charles d'Aubigné and Geneviève Piètre. Her parents got married on February 23, 1678.

Aunt's Help and Influence

Françoise Charlotte's family was not wealthy. Because of this, her parents asked Madame de Maintenon for help. Madame de Maintenon was already a very powerful person. She agreed to help Françoise Charlotte with her education. But there was a condition: Françoise Charlotte had to be raised exactly as Madame de Maintenon wanted. She also had to marry the person Madame de Maintenon chose for her.

Madame de Maintenon kept her promise. She later made her brother's only child, Françoise Charlotte, the heir to her large estate. This estate included the beautiful Château de Maintenon, which Madame de Maintenon had owned since 1674.

A Grand Marriage

Madame de Maintenon wanted Françoise Charlotte to marry into a powerful family. She arranged for Françoise Charlotte to marry a member of the important House of Noailles. This family was one of the most respected noble families in France.

Madame de Maintenon spoke with Anne-Jules, 2nd duc de Noailles, who was the father of Adrien Maurice. Adrien Maurice was known as the Count of Ayen at the time. Their wedding took place on March 31, 1698. Françoise Charlotte was only 13 years old, and Adrien Maurice was nearly 20. Over the next 21 years, they had six children together.

Becoming a Duchess

In 1708, Anne-Jules, the 2nd Duke of Noailles, passed away. This meant that Françoise Charlotte's husband, Adrien Maurice, became the 3rd Duke of Noailles. So, Françoise Charlotte became the Duchess of Noailles.

Later, in 1718, her aunt Madame de Maintenon died. As promised, Françoise Charlotte inherited the Château de Maintenon and all of her aunt's wealth. This was a huge change for Françoise Charlotte. She went from having a humble start to becoming one of the most important people in French society.

Family Legacy

The Duchess of Noailles died in 1739 when she was 55 years old. Her husband lived much longer, for another 27 years, and passed away at the age of 88.

Their two sons, Louis and Philippe, both became marshals of France. This was a very high military rank. Sadly, Philippe was executed in 1794 during the Reign of Terror, a difficult time in the French Revolution. Louis died in 1793, just before the Reign of Terror fully began.

Françoise Charlotte's family connections were very impressive. Her nephew by marriage was Louis Jean Marie de Bourbon, Duke of Penthièvre, who was one of the richest men in Europe. Her descendants also include Adrienne de Noailles, who was the wife of the famous Marquis de Lafayette. Even Philippe, the current King of the Belgians, is a descendant of Françoise Charlotte through his mother's side.

Her Children

Françoise Charlotte and Adrien Maurice had six children:

• Françoise Adélaide de Noailles (born September 1, 1704 – died January 1776). She married Charles de Lorraine in 1717.
• Amable-Gabrielle de Villars (born February 18, 1706 – died September 1742). She married Honoré Armand de Villars.
• Marie Louise de Noailles (born September 8, 1710 – died May 22, 1782). She married Jacques Nompar de Caumont in 1737.
• Louis de Noailles (born April 21, 1713 – died August 22, 1793). He became the Duke of Noailles. Louis and his wife were sadly executed during the French Revolution.
• Philippe de Noailles (born December 27, 1715 – died June 27, 1794). He became the Duke of Mouchy. Philippe and his wife were also executed during the French Revolution. His wife was a Lady-in-waiting to Marie Antoinette.
• Marie Anne Françoise de Noailles (born January 12, 1719 – died June 29, 1793). She married Ludwig Engelbert de La Marck in 1744. She was also executed during the French Revolution.

Images for kids

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  d'Aubigné with her aunt, by Louis Ferdinand Elle the Elder c. 1688