Louise de Bourbon, Duchess of Montpensier facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Louise de Bourbon
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| Duchess of Montpensier | |
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Louise de Bourbon, Duchess of Montpensier, copy by Joseph Albrier, 1840, of a 17th-century anonymous portrait
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| Born | 1482 |
| Died | 15 July 1561 |
| Noble family | Bourbon-Montpensier |
| Spouse(s) | Andre III de Chauvigny Louis, Prince of La Roche-sur-Yon |
| Father | Gilbert, Count of Montpensier |
| Mother | Clara Gonzaga |
Louise de Bourbon (born 1482, died July 15, 1561) was an important French noblewoman. She became the Duchess of Montpensier in her own right (meaning she inherited the title herself, not through her husband) from 1538 until her death. She was also a very distant grandmother to a famous French princess known as La Grande Mademoiselle.
Contents
Family and Inheritance
Louise de Bourbon was the oldest daughter of Gilbert, Count of Montpensier, and Clara Gonzaga. Her family was part of the powerful Bourbon-Montpensier noble family in France.
Louise had five younger brothers and sisters. One of her brothers was Charles III, Duke of Bourbon. He was a very important military leader in France, known as the Constable of France. Sadly, Charles died in battle in May 1527. He was leading troops for Emperor Charles V against Pope Clement VII during the Sack of Rome.
Because all three of Louise's brothers died without having children, Louise became the main heir to her family's lands and titles. These included the county of Montpensier and the dauphinate of Auvergne.
Restoring Family Lands
However, things were not simple. The French King Francis I had taken control of these lands. This happened because Louise's brother Charles had allied himself with Emperor Charles V, which the French King saw as a betrayal. After Charles died, the King officially took all his lands.
Over time, some of these lands were given back to Louise. In February 1538, King Francis officially made Louise the Duchess of Montpensier. She also became the Dauphine of Auvergne and Baroness de La Tour and de la Bussière.
Marriages and Children
Louise de Bourbon was married twice and had three children from her second marriage.
First Marriage
In 1499, Louise married her first husband, Andre III de Chauvigny. He was the prince of Deols. This marriage did not result in any children, and Andre died in 1503.
Second Marriage and Children
Louise married her second husband on March 21, 1504. He was her cousin, Louis de Bourbon, Prince of La Roche-sur-Yon. Together, they had three children:
- Suzanne de Bourbon (1508–1570): She married Claude de Rieux, who was a Count. They had children together.
- Louis de Bourbon, Duke of Montpensier (June 10, 1513 – September 23, 1582): He became the Duke of Montpensier after his mother. Louis married twice. His first wife was Jacqueline de Longwy, and they had a son and five daughters, including Charlotte de Bourbon. His second wife was Catherine of Lorraine.
- Charles, Prince of La Roche-sur-Yon (1515–1565): He married Philippe de Montespédon. They had a son named Henri and a daughter named Jeanne.
Louise de Bourbon passed away on July 5, 1561. She was buried at the Sainte-Chapelle in Champigny-sur-Veude, France. Her eldest son, Louis, took over her title as Duke of Montpensier.
Through her daughter Suzanne, Louise was an ancestor of King Louis XV of France. Through her granddaughter Charlotte of Bourbon, Louise was also an ancestor of the House of Hanover, which ruled Great Britain for many years. This means she is an ancestor of the current British Royal Family.
See also
- In Spanish: Luisa de Montpensier para niños
