Marguerite, Duchess of Rohan facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Marguerite
Duchess of Rohan Princess of Léon
Engraving of Madame de Rohan
Born	1617
Died	9 April 1684 Paris, France
Spouse	Henri Chabot
Issue Detail	Anne, Princess of Soubise Louis, Duke of Rohan, Prince of Léon Jeanne Pelagie, Princess of Epinoy
Full name Marguerite de Rohan
House	Rohan
Father	Henri de Rohan
Mother	Marguerite de Béthune

Marguerite de Rohan (born in 1617 – died April 9, 1684) was an important French noblewoman. She was the Duchess of Rohan in her own right, meaning she inherited the title herself. She married Henri de Chabot because they were in love. Together, they had four children who grew up. Marguerite was a very wealthy heiress. She inherited the Duchy of Soubise, which later became a principality. This land and title were given to her daughter, Anne.

Marguerite's Early Life

Marguerite was the only child of Henri de Rohan, who was the Duke of Rohan, and Marguerite de Béthune. Her mother was the daughter of Maximilien de Béthune. Marguerite's family, the Rohans, believed they were related to the old rulers of Brittany. At the French royal court, they were treated as "Foreign Princes." This special rank meant they had the title of Highness and enjoyed many special benefits at court.

A Love Story and Royal Approval

Marguerite wanted to marry Henri de Chabot, but he was not from a family as powerful as hers. To make this marriage possible, she asked the Queen Regent, Anne of Austria, for help. In 1645, King Louis XIV officially stated that Marguerite could "keep her status, her dignity of a princess, should she marry Henri de Chabot."

When someone asked her about marrying Henri, Marguerite famously said, "I do not know if I shall be able to decide to marry him, but I do feel that I could not bear it if he married someone else."

Before Henri, many important people wanted to marry Marguerite. These included Louis de Bourbon, a cousin of King Henri IV, and even Prince Rupert of the Rhine. However, she turned them all down. She finally married Henri in Paris on June 6, 1645. They had six children, and four of them later had their own families.

When Marguerite married, she brought all her wealth, lands, and titles to her husband. But there was one important rule: their children had to use only the Rohan family name and coat-of-arms. Later, the children decided to use both names, calling themselves Rohan-Chabot. This meant they didn't fully follow the marriage agreement.

Many people thought it was a "disgrace" for a powerful Rohan to marry a nobleman who wasn't as rich or famous. However, Henri de Chabot was made the Duke of Rohan in 1648.

Marguerite held many important titles in her own right. These included Duchess of Rohan, Princess of Léon, Duchess of Frontenay, Countess of Porhoët, and Marquise of Blain.

After her husband passed away, Marguerite became the guardian of her children. This was made official by royal letters on June 10, 1655. She died in Paris on April 9, 1684, when she was 67 years old.

Her Family's Legacy

Marguerite has many descendants living across Europe today. Through her son, she is a direct ancestor of Josselin de Rohan, who is a member of the French Senate.

Through her daughter Anne, Marguerite is also an ancestor of the Dukes of Montbazon, another branch of the House of Rohan. She is also an ancestor of the current Prince of Monaco.

Marguerite's Children

Her youngest daughter, Jeanne Pelagie, from a 19th-century engraving

• X de Rohan-Chabot (died young)
• Marguerite Gabrielle Charlotte de Rohan-Chabot (died June 17, 1720) married Malo de Coëtquen, Marquis de Coëtquen, and had children.
• Anne Julie de Rohan-Chabot, Princess of Soubise (1648 – February 4, 1709) married François de Rohan, Prince de Soubise and had children. She was also a close friend of King Louis XIV.
• Gilone de Rohan-Chabot (died in infancy)
• Louis de Rohan-Chabot, Duke of Rohan, Prince de Léon (November 3, 1652 – August 17, 1727) married Marie Elisabeth du Bec-Crespin de Grimaldi and had children.
• Jeanne Pelagie de Rohan-Chabot (died August 18, 1698) married Alexandre Guillaume de Melun, Prince d'Epinoy, and had children. She was the grandmother of Anne Julie de Melun, who became the Princess of Soubise, marrying Jules de Rohan, a grandson of Anne (Marguerite's daughter).