Gabrielle d'Estrées facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Gabrielle d'Estrées
Gabrielle d'Estrées: Château de Bussy-Rabutin
Born	1573 France
Died	10 April 1599 (aged 25–26) Paris, France
Spouse(s)	Nicolas Damerval de Liancourt ​ ​ (m. 1592; ann. 1595)​
Children	César de Bourbon, duc de Vendôme Catherine-Henriette de Bourbon Alexandre, Chevalier de Vendôme
Parent(s)	Antoine d'Estrées Françoise Babou de La Bourdaisière

Gabrielle d'Estrées, Duchess of Beaufort and Verneuil, Marchioness of Monceaux (1573–10 April 1599) was a close friend and trusted adviser to Henry IV of France. She played a big role in convincing Henry to change his religion from Protestantism to Catholicism in 1593. Later, she also helped persuade French Catholics to accept the Edict of Nantes. This important agreement gave certain rights to Protestants in France.

King Henry IV was already married, so he couldn't legally marry Gabrielle. However, he asked Pope Clement VIII to cancel his first marriage. He planned to marry Gabrielle and make her the next Queen of France. He also wanted to make their three children, born before marriage, officially legitimate. Sadly, her wedding and crowning never happened because she died suddenly.

Gabrielle's Early Life

Gabrielle d'Estrées was born in 1573. She was born either at the Château de la Bourdaisière in Montlouis-sur-Loire or at the Château de Cœuvres. Her parents were Antoine d'Estrées, who was the Marquis of Cœuvres, and Françoise Babou de La Bourdaisière.

A Trusted Adviser to the King

In November 1590, King Henry IV of France became very close to Gabrielle d'Estrées. She became a very important person in his life during a difficult time. The King was fighting a tough battle against the Catholic League. Even though he was married to Margaret of Valois, Henry and Gabrielle were openly close in public.

Gabrielle was very loyal to King Henry. She often went with him during his military campaigns. Even when she was expecting a baby, she stayed in his tent near the battlefield. She made sure his clothes were clean and that he ate well after battles. She also helped him with his daily letters while he was fighting. Henry trusted her a lot because she was smart and practical. He shared his secrets with her and often took her advice. When they were apart, Henry frequently wrote her letters from his war camps.

Portrait of Gabrielle d'Estrées

Gabrielle was born Catholic. She believed that the best way to end the religious wars in France was for Henry to become Catholic himself. Henry saw the wisdom in her idea. On July 25, 1593, he famously said, "Paris is well worth a Mass." This meant he was ready to become Catholic. This decision allowed him to be crowned King of France on February 27, 1594. Henry also arranged for Gabrielle's earlier marriage to Nicholas d'Amerval to be canceled that same year.

On June 7, 1594, their first child was born. It was a son named César de Bourbon. He later became the Duke of Vendôme. On January 4, 1595, King Henry IV officially recognized César as his son. He also recognized Gabrielle d'Estrées as the mother. He called her "the subject the most worthy of our friendship." This meant he officially recognized her important position. In 1596, Henry made her the Marquise de Montceaux. She bought the Château de Montceaux for a large sum of money, which Henry likely gave her. The next year, he made her the Duchesse de Beaufort, a very high title in France.

Henry IV also recognized two more children he had with Gabrielle. They were Catherine-Henriette de Bourbon, a daughter born in 1596, and Alexandre de Bourbon, a son born in 1598. Some members of the French nobility were not happy about Henry and Gabrielle's relationship. They spread rumors and blamed Gabrielle for many problems in the country.

Gabrielle became one of Henry's most important diplomats. She used her friendships with women from different Catholic families to help bring about peace. In March 1596, Henry gave both Gabrielle and his sister Catherine special gold keys. These keys meant they had a seat on his council. Gabrielle was so happy with this gift that she wore the little keys on a chain around her neck.

In 1598, Henry issued the Edict of Nantes. This edict gave the Huguenots (French Protestants) certain rights, while still respecting Catholics. Gabrielle, who was Catholic, and Henry's sister Catherine, who was Huguenot, worked together. They helped overcome objections from powerful Catholics and Huguenots. They made sure the edict was followed. Henry was very impressed with Gabrielle's efforts. He wrote that his "mistress has become an orator of unequaled brilliance."

Gabrielle's Death

King Henry had asked Pope Clement VIII to cancel his marriage so he could marry Gabrielle. In March 1599, Henry gave Gabrielle his coronation ring. Gabrielle was so sure the wedding would happen. She said, "Only God or the king's death could put an end to my good luck."

A few days later, on April 9, she became very ill. She gave birth to a baby boy who did not survive. King Henry was at the Château de Fontainebleau when he heard about her illness. The next day, April 10, 1599, she died in Paris while Henry was on his way to see her.

The King was heartbroken by her death. Many people believed Gabrielle had been poisoned, though this was never proven. Henry wore black clothes to mourn her, which was unusual for a French king. He gave her a funeral fit for a queen. Her coffin was carried in a procession of princes, princesses, and nobles to the Saint-Germain-l'Auxerrois church in Paris for a special mass. Gabrielle d'Estrées is remembered in French history and songs as La Belle Gabrielle (The Beautiful Gabrielle). She was buried at Maubuisson Abbey in Saint-Ouen-l'Aumône.

After her death, a book called Mémoires secrets de Gabrielle d'Estrée (The Secret Memoirs of Gabrielle d'Estrée) was published. It is thought to have been written by one of her friends.

Gabrielle's Children

Gabrielle had four children with King Henry IV:

• César, Duke of Vendôme (1594–1665): He married Françoise de Lorraine. In 1626, he was involved in a plot against Cardinal Richelieu. César was put in prison for three years. In 1641, he was accused of another plot and had to flee to England.
• Catherine Henriette de Bourbon (1596–1663): She married Charles II, Duke of Elbeuf.
• Alexandre, Chevalier de Vendôme (1598–1629).
• A stillborn son (1599).

Gabrielle in Art

Gabrielle d'Estrées is the subject of a famous painting called Gabrielle d'Estrées et une de ses sœurs by Francois Clouet. This painting is now in the Louvre Museum in Paris. In the painting, Gabrielle is shown in a bathtub, holding what is believed to be King Henry's coronation ring. Her sister, Julienne-Hypolite-Joséphine d'Estrées, is sitting next to her. Henry gave Gabrielle this ring as a sign of his love shortly before she died.

There is a very similar painting with the same people but in different positions at the Palace of Fontainebleau. Another painting without her sister is at the Musée Condé in the Château de Chantilly.

J. M. W. Turner also painted a watercolor of "Fair Gabrielle" at Bougival.

Images for kids

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  César de Bourbon, Duke of Vendôme

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  Catherine Henriette de Bourbon, Légitimée de France

See also

In Spanish: Gabrielle de Estrées para niños