Anne of France
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Anne of France (or Anne of Beaujeu) (Genappe, April 1461 – 14 November 1522, Chantelle), was the daughter of Louis XI, King of France and his second queen consort, Charlotte of Savoy.
Anne was originally betrothed to Nicholas, Duke of Lorraine and was created Viscountess of Thouars in 1468 in anticipation of the marriage. However, Nicholas broke the engagement to pursue Mary of Burgundy and then died unexpectedly in 1473, prompting Louis to take back the fief. That same year, Anne married Peter II, Duke of Bourbon instead.
During the minority of Anne's brother, Charles VIII, King of France, Peter and Anne held the regency of France. This regency extended from 1483 until 1491, and together Peter and Anne maintained the royal authority and the unity of the kingdom against the Orléans party.
Anne's regency overcome many difficulties, including unrest amongst the magnates who had suffered under Louis XI, King of France's oppressions. Concessions, many of which sacrificed Louis's favourites, were made, and land was restored to many of the hostile nobles, including the future Louis XII, King of France, then known as the Duke of Orléans.
Anne made the final treaty ending the Hundred Years' War, the Treaty of Etaples and, in 1491 (despite Austrian and English opposition), arranged the marriage of her brother Charles to Anne, Duchess of Brittany, in order to attach Brittany to the French crown. When Charles ended the regency in 1491, both Anne and Peter fell victim to the wrath of the new queen, whose duchy's independence had been compromised.
Peter died in 1503, and the couple's only daughter Suzanne, Duchess of Bourbon, succeeded him. Anne, however, had always been the more dominant member in her marriage and remained the administrator of the Bourbon lands after his death, protecting them from royal encroachment.
Suzanne married another Bourbon prince, Charles of Montpensier, Constable of France, who later became Charles III, Duke of Bourbon. The couple, however, remained childless, and Suzanne unfortunately predeceased her mother. When Anne herself died in 1522, her own line and that of her father became extinct. A descendant of Anne's aunt, Anne of Laval, was considered to be her heir.
| Preceded by: — |
Viscountess of Thouars 1468–1473 with Nicholas |
Succeeded by: to royal domain |
This biography of a French peer or noble is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.
