Marguerite of Lorraine facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Marguerite of Lorraine |
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| Duchess of Orléans | |
Portrait by van Dyck
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| Born | 22 July 1615 Ducal Palace, Nancy, Lorraine |
| Died | 13 April 1672 (aged 56) Palais d'Orléans, Paris, France |
| Burial | Basilica of Saint-Denis |
| Spouse | Gaston, Duke of Orléans |
| Issue | Marguerite Louise, Grand Duchess of Tuscany; Isabelle, Duchess of Guise Françoise Madeleine, Duchess of Savoy Jean Gaston, Duke of Valois Marie Anne, Mademoiselle de Chartres |
| House | Lorraine |
| Father | Francis II, Duke of Lorraine |
| Mother | Countess Christina of Salm |
| Religion | Roman Catholicism |
| Signature |  |
Marguerite of Lorraine (born July 22, 1615 – died April 13, 1672) was a French duchess. She was the wife of Gaston, Duke of Orléans. Gaston was the younger brother of Louis XIII of France, who was the king at the time.
Marguerite and Gaston first married in secret. King Louis XIII did not approve of this marriage. He had it officially canceled. Later, when King Louis XIII was very ill, he finally allowed them to marry. After this, Marguerite and Gaston married again and had five children. Marguerite was also the stepmother of La Grande Mademoiselle.
Contents
Early Life of Marguerite
Marguerite was born in Nancy, a city in Lorraine. Her father was Francis II, Duke of Lorraine, and her mother was Countess Christina of Salm. Marguerite was one of six children. She grew up in Nancy, which was the main city of her father's duchy (a territory ruled by a duke).
When Marguerite was 12, her mother passed away in 1627. After that, her aunt, Catherine of Lorraine, helped raise her. Catherine was an abbess, which is the head of a convent of nuns. Two of Marguerite's older brothers, Charles and Nicolas, both became dukes of Lorraine.
Becoming Duchess of Orléans
Gaston, Duke of Orléans was the younger brother of King Louis XIII of France. He was also the next in line to the throne if the king had no children. Gaston had to leave France for a while because he was in trouble with the powerful French prime minister, Cardinal Richelieu. During this time, Gaston went to Lorraine and met Marguerite. He fell in love with her.
However, France and Lorraine were not friendly at this time. Because of this, King Louis XIII would not let Gaston marry Marguerite. But Gaston went back to Lorraine. He and Marguerite had a secret wedding in Nancy on the night of January 2-3, 1632. Her family was there. Since Gaston did not get the king's permission, they could not go back to the French court. Their marriage was kept a secret.
Challenges to the Marriage
In November 1632, a duke named Henri II de Montmorency told the king and Cardinal Richelieu about Gaston's secret marriage. The king was very angry. In September 1634, the French Parliament (a high court) said that Gaston's marriage was not valid. The Pope disagreed, but the French clergy (church leaders) supported the king. They said that a royal prince, especially one who could become king, needed the king's permission to marry.
Marguerite and Gaston tried to marry again in another ceremony. But a French messenger convinced the Pope not to publicly protest. Gaston was forced to accept that his marriage was canceled.
Finally Accepted by the King
In May 1643, King Louis XIII was very ill and close to death. Gaston asked his brother for forgiveness. The king finally agreed to let Gaston marry Marguerite. So, in July 1643, Marguerite and Gaston married for the third time. This time, it was official and accepted by the king.
After this, the Duke and Duchess of Orléans were welcomed at the French court. They could now have children who would be considered legitimate (lawful heirs).
Life at Court
Because she was married to a prince of France, Marguerite was known as Madame at court. After Gaston's mother died in 1642, Gaston inherited the Luxembourg Palace in Paris. This became their home in the city and was called Palais d'Orléans. They also spent time at the Château de Blois, a castle in the Loire Valley. Their first child was born there in 1645.
Marguerite did not play a big role at the French court. Even though she was welcomed after King Louis XIII died, she did not like crowded places. She rarely visited the court. Her stepdaughter, Mademoiselle, often took on her duties. Marguerite and Mademoiselle did not get along well.
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Marguerite's Widowhood
Marguerite's husband, Gaston, had been involved in a series of civil wars called the Fronde. These wars were against his nephew, the young King Louis XIV. Because of this, Gaston was sent away to his castle at Blois. He died there in 1660.
After Gaston's death, King Louis XIV gave the title of Duke of Orléans to his own brother, Philippe of France. Philippe became the new Monsieur. Marguerite was then known as the "Dowager Duchess of Orléans." She continued to live in the Palais d'Orléans in Paris. She passed away there on April 13, 1672. Marguerite was buried at the Basilica of Saint-Denis, a famous burial place for French royalty.
Children of Marguerite and Gaston
Marguerite and Gaston had five children:
- Marguerite Louise d'Orléans (born July 28, 1645 – died September 17, 1721): She married Cosimo III de' Medici, Grand Duke of Tuscany and had children.
- Élisabeth Marguerite d'Orléans (born December 26, 1646 – died March 17, 1696): She married Louis Joseph de Lorraine, Duke of Guise and had children.
- Françoise Madeleine d'Orléans (born October 13, 1648 – died January 14, 1664): She married Charles Emmanuel II, Duke of Savoy. They did not have children.
- Jean Gaston d'Orléans, Duke of Valois (born August 17, 1650 – died August 10, 1652): He died when he was a baby.
- Marie Anne d'Orléans (born November 9, 1652 – died August 17, 1656): She also died when she was a young child.
See also
In Spanish: Margarita de Lorena para niños
