Jacqueline de Longwy facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Jacqueline de Longwy
Duchess of Montpensier suo jure Countess of Bar-sur-Seine
Portrait of Jacqueline de Longwy drawn by François Clouet in 1550
Born	c.1520
Died	28 August 1561 Paris, France
Spouse	Louis de Bourbon
Issue	Françoise, Duchess of Bouillon Anne, Duchess of Nevers François, Duke of Montpensier Charlotte, Princess of Orange
Father	Jean IV de Longwy
Mother	Jeanne of Angoulême
Religion	Roman Catholic

Jacqueline de Longwy (born before 1520 – died August 28, 1561) was an important French noblewoman. She was known as the Duchess of Montpensier and the Countess of Bar-sur-Seine. She was also the half-niece of King Francis I of France.

Jacqueline was the first wife of Louis III de Bourbon, Duke of Montpensier. They had six children together. She also held an important position at court. From 1560 to 1561, she was the Première dame d'honneur (which means "First Lady of Honour") to Catherine de' Medici, who was the queen dowager and regent of France.

Her Family Background

Jacqueline de Longwy was born sometime before 1520. She was the youngest daughter of Jean IV de Longwy and Jeanne of Angoulême. Her mother, Jeanne, was the illegitimate half-sister of King Francis I of France. This made Jacqueline the king's half-niece.

Jacqueline had two older sisters:

• Françoise de Longwy, who married twice. Her first husband was Philippe de Chabot, a French Admiral.
• Claude Louise de Longwy, who became an Abbess at Jouarre Abbey.

Her grandparents on her mother's side were Charles, Count of Angoulême and Antoinette de Polignac. Antoinette was a lady-in-waiting to Charles's wife, Louise of Savoy.

Her Marriage and Titles

In 1538, Jacqueline married Louis III de Bourbon-Montpensier. Louis later became the Duke of Montpensier in 1561, after his mother passed away.

When Jacqueline and Louis married, her uncle, King Francis I, gave back some important lands to Louis's family. These lands, including the Montpensier estates, had been taken by the French Crown. They were taken because Louis's relative, Charles III, Duke of Bourbon, had betrayed France in 1523 by joining forces with Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor.

Jacqueline also inherited the title of Countess of Bar-sur-Seine when her mother died. This meant she held the title "suo jure," which means "in her own right."

In 1543, Louis was given back the title of Dauphin of Auvergne. This made Jacqueline the Dauphine of Auvergne.

Her Time at Court

Jacqueline de Longwy was part of the French royal court from a young age, starting in 1533.

• From 1533 to 1538, she served as a Fille d’honneur (Maid of Honour) to Queen Eleanor of Austria.
• After her marriage in 1538, she became a Dame (Lady-in-waiting) until 1543.
• In 1560, she served as a Dame to Mary, Queen of Scots.

Later in 1560, Jacqueline was given the important role of Première dame d'honneur to Catherine de' Medici. Catherine became regent of France, meaning she ruled for her young son, and could choose her own household staff.

Jacqueline and Catherine de' Medici were close friends. In 1560, Jacqueline helped Catherine greatly. She played a key role in convincing Antoine de Bourbon to give up his claim to be regent. This allowed Catherine to become the regent for her son, King Charles IX.

Jacqueline was present at important royal events. In 1543, she attended the baptism of King Francis I's grandson, Francis II of France. In 1559, she and her husband attended the grand coronation of King Francis II and Mary, Queen of Scots.

Her Death

Jacqueline de Longwy passed away in Paris on August 28, 1561. She had been the Duchess of Montpensier for less than two months before her death.

Through her daughter, Charlotte, Jacqueline is an ancestor of the House of Hanover. This royal family ruled Great Britain from 1714 to 1901. The current British royal family is descended from them.

Her Children

Jacqueline and Louis had one son and five daughters:

• François de Bourbon, Duke of Montpensier (1542–1592). He became the Duke of Montpensier and had one son.
• Françoise de Bourbon (1539–1587). She married Henri Robert de La Marck, Duke of Bouillon.
• Anne de Bourbon (1540–1577). She married François de Cleves, Duke of Nevers.
• Jeanne de Bourbon (1541–1620). She became the Abbess of Jouarre.
• Charlotte de Bourbon (1547–1582). She married William the Silent, the Prince of Orange, and they had six daughters.
• Louise de Bourbon (1548–1586). She became the Abbess of Faremoutier.

In Art

A portrait of Jacqueline de Longwy was drawn in 1550 by the famous French painter François Clouet.

See also

In Spanish: Jacqueline de Longwy para niños