Louise de Coligny facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Louise de Coligny |
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| Princess consort of Orange | |
| Tenure | 24 April 1583 – 10 July 1584 |
| Born | 23 September 1555 Châtillon-sur-Loing, Kingdom of France |
| Died | 9 November 1620 (aged 65) Fontainebleau, Kingdom of France |
| Spouse | Charles de Teligny William I, Prince of Orange |
| Issue | Frederick Henry, Prince of Orange |
| House | Coligny |
| Father | Gaspard II de Coligny |
| Mother | Charlotte de Laval |
| Religion | Huguenot |
Louise de Coligny (born September 23, 1555 – died November 9, 1620) was a princess. She became the fourth and last wife of William the Silent, who was the Prince of Orange. Her parents were Gaspard II de Coligny and Charlotte de Laval.
Contents
Louise's Early Life
Louise was born in a place called Châtillon-sur-Loing in France. Her parents made sure she received a very good education. This education focused on humanist ideas, which meant learning about history, literature, and philosophy.
First Marriage and Tragedy
When Louise was sixteen, she married Charles de Téligny in 1571. He was a Protestant like her. Sadly, both her husband and her father were killed during the terrible St. Bartholomew's Day massacre. This event happened in Paris in August 1572.
After this tragedy, Louise, who was a French Huguenot (a French Protestant), lived in the Swiss Confederacy for ten years.
Caring for Children
Nicolas Mius worked for Louise's father, Admiral Gaspard II de Coligny. Nicolas was also killed during the St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre. He stayed with the Admiral until the end.
After the Admiral's death, his wife, Countess Jacqueline de Montbel, took care of Nicolas Mius's children. She adopted his son and sent him to her mother to be raised. Jacqueline also placed Nicolas's daughters, Charlotte and Louise Mius d’Entremont, with Louise de Coligny. Louise then helped raise these girls.
Life with William the Silent
Louise married William the Silent on April 24, 1583. He was a very important leader in the Dutch Republic. In 1584, Louise became the mother of Frederick Henry. He was William's fourth son and later became the Prince of Orange.
Warning and Loss
People say that Louise warned her husband about a man named Balthasar Gérard. She thought he seemed dangerous. Sadly, Gérard, who was Catholic, murdered William in July 1584 in Delft.
Louise's Later Years
After her second husband was murdered, Louise raised their son, Frederick Henry. She also helped raise William's six daughters from his previous marriage.
Throughout her life, Louise strongly supported Protestantism. She wrote letters to many important people of her time. These included Queen Elizabeth I of England, Henry IV of France, Marie de' Medici, and her many stepchildren.
Louise stayed in the Dutch Republic until 1620. She even tried to help a politician named Johan van Oldenbarnevelt when he faced serious trouble. She and the French ambassador tried to save him, but they were not successful.
Louise de Coligny died at the age of 65 in Fontainebleau, France.
See also
In Spanish: Luisa de Coligny para niños
