Marie d'Albret, Countess of Rethel facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Marie d'Albret |
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| suo jure Countess of Rethel Countess of Nevers Duchess of Nevers |
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| Coat-of-arms of Marie d'Albret | |
| Spouse(s) | Charles II of Cleves, Count of Nevers |
| Issue | |
| Francis I of Cleves, 1st Duke of Nevers, Count of Rethel (2 September 1516- 13 February 1561) | |
| Noble family | Albret |
| Father | Jean d'Albret, Sire of Orval |
| Mother | Charlotte of Nevers, Countess of Rethel |
| Born | 25 March 1491 Chateau de Cuffy, Cher, France |
| Died | 27 October 1549 (aged 58) Hotel de Nevers, Paris, France |
Marie d'Albret, Countess of Rethel and Nevers, was an important noblewoman who lived from 1491 to 1549. She became the Countess of Rethel in her own right when she was just nine years old, after her mother, Charlotte of Nevers, passed away. Marie was also known as the Countess of Nevers because she married Charles II of Cleves, who was the Count of Nevers.
Marie's Family and Early Life
Marie d'Albret was born on March 25, 1491, at the Chateau de Cuffy in France. She was the oldest child of Jean d'Albret, who was the Lord of Orval and Governor of Champagne. Her mother was Charlotte of Nevers, who was the Countess of Rethel.
Marie had two younger sisters:
- Charlotte d'Albret, who married Odet de Foix, the Count of Comminges.
- Hélène d'Albret, who lived from 1495 to 1519.
She also had two half-siblings from her father: Jacques d'Albret, who became a Bishop, and Françoise d'Albret, who was an Abbess (a leader of a group of nuns).
Marie's family had a long history of important people. Her great-great-grandfather, Charles d'Albret, was a famous French military leader called a Constable of France. He led French troops in a major battle called the Battle of Agincourt in 1415, where he was killed.
When Marie was nine years old, her mother, Charlotte, died. This meant that Marie inherited the title of Countess of Rethel all by herself.
Marie's Marriage and Children
On January 25, 1504, Marie d'Albret married Charles II of Cleves, who was the Count of Nevers. After their marriage, she became the Countess of Nevers. Charles passed away in 1521, making Marie a widow.
Marie and Charles had one son together:
- Francis I of Cleves, who became the 1st Duke of Nevers and Count of Rethel. He was born on September 2, 1516, and died on February 13, 1561.
Francis married Marguerite of Bourbon-La Marche in 1538 at the famous Louvre Palace. They had six children. One of their children was Henriette of Cleves, who later inherited the Duchy of Nevers and the County of Rethel. Henriette married Louis I Gonzaga.
In 1539, Marie took on the title of Duchess of Nevers. However, her son Francis was actually the Duke of Nevers in his own right at that time.
Marie d'Albret died on October 27, 1549, in Paris, when she was 58 years old. Her son Francis then officially became the Count of Rethel.
