Victoria Davia-Montecuculi facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Anna Victoria Davia-Montecuculi
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| Countess of Almond | |
The Countess of Almond
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| Born | 20 June 1655 Modena, Duchy of Modena and Reggio |
| Died | 13 April 1703 (aged 47)v Château de Saint-Germain-en-Laye, Kingdom of France |
| Spouse(s) | Virgilio Giuseppe Davia (m.1672) |
| Father | Giovanni Battista Montecuccoli-Laderchi |
| Occupation | Courtier |
Anna Victoria Davia-Montecuculi was an important noblewoman from Italy. She lived from 1655 to 1703. From 1689, she was known as the Countess of Almond. Anna Victoria was a close friend and helper to Mary of Modena. Mary was the Queen of England, Scotland, and Ireland. Anna Victoria stayed with the Queen both when she ruled and when she lived in France.
Early Life and Marriage
Anna Victoria was born Maria Vittoria Luigia Sigismonda Montecuccoli-Laderchi. Her father was Giovanni Battista Montecuccoli-Laderchi. He was the 2nd Marquis of Guiglia. When she was a child, she was chosen to be a lady-in-waiting. This meant she helped Duchess consort Laura Martinozzi. Later, she became a lady-in-waiting to Laura's daughter, Maria d'Este. Maria d'Este later became Mary of Modena, Queen of England.
In 1672, Victoria married Virgilio Giuseppe Davia. He was a Senator in Bologna. They moved to Bologna after their wedding. In September 1673, Victoria and her husband visited Mary in Modena. They wanted to show their respect before Mary left for England.
Life with the Royal Family
During a difficult time called the Exclusion Crisis, Victoria and Virgilio moved to Brussels. They stayed with Mary while James, Duke of York, was away from England. Victoria also joined the royal couple in Edinburgh in 1684. At that time, James was serving as a special representative in Scotland. However, she had returned to Modena by February 1685. This was when James became King.
Serving the Queen
After James became King, the new Queen Mary asked Victoria to return. Victoria traveled to the royal court in London later in 1685. Her brother, Raimondo, went with her.
In December 1688, a big event called the Glorious Revolution happened. Victoria helped Queen Mary and her baby son, the Prince of Wales, escape from London. Victoria disguised herself so no one would recognize her. She escaped to France and joined the royal family in exile. They lived at the Château de Saint-Germain-en-Laye. King James II rewarded Victoria for her loyalty. He made her the Countess of Almond on January 13, 1689. This was a special title in the Jacobite peerage.
Many people at the French court did not like Victoria. This was because her family supported the Habsburg monarchy. The Habsburgs were rivals of France. But Queen Mary insisted that Victoria stay with her. A French diplomat, François Pidou de Saint Olon, watched Victoria closely. He did this whenever Italians visited her.
In 1692, Victoria's son, Giovanni Battista Davia, went to serve his uncle. His uncle was an Austrian military leader named Aeneas de Caprara. Giovanni was captured by the forces of Mustafa II. He was put in prison in Constantinople. Victoria tried to get help from France to free him. She asked Madame de Maintenon, a powerful woman in France. But this help did not happen. Finally, Victoria wrote directly to the Sultan. The Sultan released Giovanni after four years in prison. Sadly, Giovanni died in December 1696.
On April 12, 1698, Victoria's husband received new titles. He was made Earl of Almond, Viscount of Moneydie, and Lord Davia. These were also Jacobite peerage titles in Scotland. This was to honor Victoria's loyal service to the Queen. Victoria was present when King James II died on September 16, 1701. He died at Saint-Germain-en-Laye. Victoria herself died in 1703 after a short illness. After her death, the Queen was very sad for a long time.
