Isabelle de Limeuil facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Isabelle de Limeuil
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Portrait of Isabelle de Limeuil
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| Born |
Isabelle de la Tour
c. 1535 |
| Died | 25 March 1609 (age 74) Paris, France
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| Nationality | French |
| Occupation | Maid of Honour |
| Known for | Member of Catherine de' Medici's "Flying Squadron" |
| Title | Lady of Limeuil Madame Sardiny Viscountess of Buzancy Baroness of Chaumont-sur-Loire |
| Spouse(s) | Scipion Sardini, Viscount de Buzancy and Baron of Chaumont-sur-Loire |
| Children | Nicolas Sardini Alexandre-Paul Sardini, Viscount of Buzancy and Baron of Chaumont-sur-Loire Paul Sardini Madeleine Sardini |
Isabelle de la Tour, Lady of Limeuil (born around 1535 – died 25 March 1609) was a French noblewoman. She served as a Maid of Honour to Queen Mother Catherine de' Medici. Isabelle was also part of Catherine's famous "flying squadron" (L'escadron volant). This was a group of women who helped Catherine gather information from important men at the French court.
Around 1562, Isabelle became close to Louis, Prince of Condé. He was a brother of King Antoine of Navarre and a leader of the Huguenots (French Protestants). Two years later, Isabelle had a child while the court was traveling. This caused a big stir, and she was sent away to a convent.
Later, she married Scipion Sardini, a rich banker from Tuscany. He was a favorite of Catherine de' Medici.
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Early Life and Family Connections
Isabelle was born in Limeuil, France, around 1535. Her parents were Gilles de la Tour, Viscount of Turenne, and Marguerite de la Cropte.
Isabelle went to live at the court of King Charles IX. There, she became one of queen mother Catherine de' Medici's Maids of Honour. A Maid of Honour was a young noblewoman who served the queen. Isabelle was distantly related to Catherine through Catherine's French mother, Madeleine de La Tour d'Auvergne.
The "Flying Squadron"
Isabelle was very beautiful, which caught the eye of Queen Mother Catherine. Catherine invited Isabelle to join her special "flying squadron" (L'escadron volant). This group was made up of charming and clever women. Their job was to get information from powerful men at court. This information would then be given to Catherine. She used it to gain political power.
These women also took part in Catherine's amazing parties and events. These events were often held for the court's entertainment.
Isabelle's Role in the Squadron
Isabelle helped gather information from several important people. These included:
- Claude, Duke of Aumale: He was part of the House of Guise, a powerful family that was a rival to Catherine.
- Florimond Robertet: He was Catherine's secretary and connected to the Guise family.
- Louis, Prince of Condé: A leading Huguenot. He was also the brother of King Antoine of Navarre. Antoine's wife, Queen Jeanne of Navarre, was another opponent of Catherine. She was also a political leader for the French Huguenots.
Condé became very fond of Isabelle, which pleased Catherine. However, Isabelle's influence over him ended in May 1564. She had a child in the Queen Mother's room in Dijon while the court was on a royal trip. This event made Catherine very angry. Catherine removed Isabelle from court. Isabelle was then sent to a convent in Auxonne.
Marriage and Family Life
Isabelle was eventually allowed to leave the convent. In 1567, when she was about 32, she married Scipion Sardini. He was a rich banker from Tuscany, Catherine's home region. Sardini was one of Catherine's trusted helpers. After her marriage, Isabelle was known as "Madame Sardiny."
Isabelle and her husband lived at the "Hôtel Scipion" in Paris. This was Sardini's large house on Rue Scipion, which he had built in 1565.
King Charles IX gave Sardini the title "Viscount of Buzancy." This meant Isabelle became the "Viscountess of Buzancy" through her marriage.
She and her husband had four children:
- Nicolas Sardini, Siegneur de Prunay
- Alexander-Paul Sardini (1574-1645), Baron of Chaumont-sur-Loire, Viscount of Buzancy; he had children
- Paul Sardini (died 1667); he had children
- Madeleine Sardini
In 1600, Sardini bought the Château de Chaumont. This castle had belonged to Catherine de' Medici and Diane de Poitiers before. However, Isabelle and her husband chose to keep living at the Hôtel Scipion. Sardini was also given the title "Baron of Chaumont-sur-Loire." This title later passed to their second son, Alexander-Paul, after his father's death.
Later Years and Legacy
Isabelle died in Paris on 25 March 1609. She was buried in Chaumont-sur-Loire on April 1st of that year. Sardini died in the same year.
Isabelle was featured in a story by Honoré de Balzac. It was called La Chière nuictée d'amour, and her husband was the main character.
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