Marie of Luxembourg, Countess of Vendôme facts for kids

Marie of Luxembourg (died April 1, 1547) was a French princess. She was the older daughter and main heir of Peter II of Luxembourg. Her mother was Margaret of Savoy. Marie belonged to a French branch of the House of Luxembourg. This family had ruled as Dukes of Luxembourg. An older part of her family also provided several Holy Roman Emperors.

Her grandparents on her father's side were Louis of Luxembourg and Jeanne de Bar, Countess of Marle and Soissons. Her grandparents on her mother's side were Louis I, Duke of Savoy, and Princess Anne of Cyprus.

Marie's Early Life and First Marriage

Marie was first married when she was a child. She wed her uncle, Jacques of Savoy, Count of Romont. Jacques was a military leader. He lost his lands, called the Vaud, to Swiss armies. This happened before Marie's family wealth was greatly reduced.

Her grandfather, Louis de Luxembourg, Count of Saint-Pol, faced legal issues. He was executed in 1475. This meant his property was taken by the government. This event made Marie's future as an heir much less certain.

Restoring Her Status with a New Marriage

Marie's status and part of her family's wealth in France were restored. This happened when she married Francis de Bourbon, Count of Vendôme, in 1487. Francis was a "prince of the blood," meaning he was closely related to the French royal family.

Even though Marie had a younger sister, she brought a lot of land and money to the House of Bourbon. This included the counties of Saint-Pol and Soissons in Picardy. She also brought the lands of Ligny and Marle. The Château de Condé was also part of her inheritance. This castle later became a home for the Princes of Condé. They were descendants of her grandson, Louis de Bourbon, 1st Prince of Condé.

Marie as a Guardian and Builder

When Francis died in 1495, Marie became the legal guardian of their young son, Charles. Charles was the heir to his father's lands. Marie managed these lands, as well as her own.

She also helped improve her community. She made the Collégiale Saint Georges church bigger. She rebuilt the Church of Saint Martin. Marie also gave the Porte Saint Georges-aux-Bourgeois-de-Vendôme to become the town hall, or Mairie.

Marie's Children

Marie had one daughter from her first marriage:

• Louise-Françoise of Savoy (died 1511). She married Count Henry III of Nassau-Breda but had no children.

With her second husband, Francis, Marie had several children:

• Charles de Bourbon (1489–1537), who became the Duke of Vendôme.
• Francis de Bourbon (1491–1545), who was the Count of Saint Pol and Chaumont. He was also the Duke of Estouteville.
• Cardinal Louis de Bourbon (1493-1557), who became the Archbishop of Sens.
• Antoinette de Bourbon (1493-1583). She married Claude, Duke of Guise.
• Louise de Bourbon (1495–1575), who became the Abbess of Fontevrault.

Marie's Legacy and Later Years

Marie lived to see her children and son-in-law grow up. She also saw her grandchildren from the Bourbon and Guise families. These families later became involved in major conflicts in France. They led different groups, the Huguenots and the Catholics. These groups were competing for power as the Valois royal family was nearing its end.

Marie was still alive when her great-granddaughter was crowned Mary, Queen of Scots in 1542. Marie died in Picardy on April 1, 1547. She was buried with her second husband in Vendôme.

See also

In Spanish: María de Luxemburgo, Condesa de Vendôme para niños