Anne was born on 3 April 1461, in Brabant. She was the eldest surviving daughter of Louis XI of France and his wife, Charlotte of Savoy. She had two siblings: Charles and Jeanne.
Initially, Anne was betrothed to Nicholas, Duke of Lorraine. She was created Viscountess of Thouars in 1468 (Anne was just 7!) in anticipation of the marriage, but Nicholas broke the engagement to pursue Marie, Duchess of Burgundy. Nicholas died unexpectedly in 1473 and Anne ended up marrying Peter of Bourbon on 3 November of that year; she took up rule of the Beaujolais at that time. Anne was just 12 years old.
During the minority of Anne’s brother, Charles VIII of France, she and her husband held the regency of France between1483 and 1491. Anne’s regency overcame many difficulties, like the unrest among the magnates who suffered under Louis XI’s oppression. Together, Peter and Anne managed to maintain the royal authority and the unity of the Kingdom against the Orléans party. Concessions were made, and land was restored to many of the hostile nobles. Louis, Duke of Orléans (future Louis XII) tried to obtain the regency, but the Estates General sided with Anne.
As Regent, Anne was one of the most powerful women in the late 15th century, and she was referred to as Madame la Grande. In addition to her strong, formidable personality, Anne was extremely intelligent, shrewd and energetic. She was dark-haired with a high forehead, a widow’s peak, and finely arched eyebrows. Anne also had clear brown eyes, direct in their gaze; a sharp, haughty nose, thin lips, thin hands, and she stood straight as lance.
Anne was responsible for the education for many of the aristocracy’s children, including Diane de Poitiers and Louise of Savoy. She is credited with instructing them with the new refined manners, such as not using their fingers to wipe their noses. Anne also oversaw the education of Margaret of Austria, who had been intended as a bride for Anne’s brother.
She supported Henry Tudor against his rival, Richard III of England – Anne supplied him with French troops for the 1485 invasion which culminated at the Battle of Bosworth, where Henry emerged the victor.
Anne made the final treaty ending the Hundred Years’ War and, in 1491, she arranged the marriage of her brother Charles to Anne, Duchess of Brittany, in order to annex Brittany to the French crown. When the regency was over, Anne and Peter fell victim to the wrath of Anne of Brittany, whose duchy’s independence had been compromised.
Anne and Peter only had one surviving child, Suzanne. Anne had another pregnancy, but there are contradictory accounts about this – some say the baby was miscarried or stillborn, but others reported that a living son was born, Charles. The baby would have been styled Count of Clermont and died aged 22 in 1498.
Suzanne succeeded Peter as suo jure Duchess of Bourbon on his death in 1503. However, Anne had always been the more dominant member in her marriage and remained the administrator of the Bourbon lands after his death. In 1505, Anne arranged for Suzanne to marry Charles of Montpensier (the future Charles III, Duke of Bourbon).
Anne wrote an instruction book for her daughter. It is called Lessons for My Daughter. In it, she advises Suzanne to surround herself with frugal people and that true nobility comes from being humble, benign and courteous. Absent these, other virtues are worth nothing.
However, Suzanne and Charles failed to produce surviving offspring, and Suzanne predeceased her mother. When Anne of France died on 14 November 1522, aged 61, her own line and that of her father became extinct.
During the minority of Anne’s brother, Charles VIII of France, she and her husband held the regency of France between1483 and 1491. Anne’s regency overcame many difficulties, like the unrest among the magnates who suffered under Louis XI’s oppression. Together, Peter and Anne managed to maintain the royal authority and the unity of the Kingdom against the Orléans party. Concessions were made, and land was restored to many of the hostile nobles. Louis, Duke of Orléans (future Louis XII) tried to obtain the regency, but the Estates General sided with Anne.
As Regent, Anne was one of the most powerful women in the late 15th century, and she was referred to as Madame la Grande. In addition to her strong, formidable personality, Anne was extremely intelligent, shrewd and energetic. She was dark-haired with a high forehead, a widow’s peak, and finely arched eyebrows. Anne also had clear brown eyes, direct in their gaze; a sharp, haughty nose, thin lips, thin hands, and she stood straight as lance.
Anne was responsible for the education for many of the aristocracy’s children, including Diane de Poitiers and Louise of Savoy. She is credited with instructing them with the new refined manners, such as not using their fingers to wipe their noses. Anne also oversaw the education of Margaret of Austria, who had been intended as a bride for Anne’s brother.
She supported Henry Tudor against his rival, Richard III of England – Anne supplied him with French troops for the 1485 invasion which culminated at the Battle of Bosworth, where Henry emerged the victor.
Anne made the final treaty ending the Hundred Years’ War and, in 1491, she arranged the marriage of her brother Charles to Anne, Duchess of Brittany, in order to annex Brittany to the French crown. When the regency was over, Anne and Peter fell victim to the wrath of Anne of Brittany, whose duchy’s independence had been compromised.
Anne and Peter only had one surviving child, Suzanne. Anne had another pregnancy, but there are contradictory accounts about this – some say the baby was miscarried or stillborn, but others reported that a living son was born, Charles. The baby would have been styled Count of Clermont and died aged 22 in 1498.
Suzanne succeeded Peter as suo jure Duchess of Bourbon on his death in 1503. However, Anne had always been the more dominant member in her marriage and remained the administrator of the Bourbon lands after his death. In 1505, Anne arranged for Suzanne to marry Charles of Montpensier (the future Charles III, Duke of Bourbon).
Anne wrote an instruction book for her daughter. It is called Lessons for My Daughter. In it, she advises Suzanne to surround herself with frugal people and that true nobility comes from being humble, benign and courteous. Absent these, other virtues are worth nothing.
However, Suzanne and Charles failed to produce surviving offspring, and Suzanne predeceased her mother. When Anne of France died on 14 November 1522, aged 61, her own line and that of her father became extinct.
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Anne of France and her daughter, Suzanne
Meister von Moulins
1498/9
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It's so strange that during these times, people would set up engagements... With children :o Anyways, it never gets old getting to know such strong women, and Anne was as strong as they come :) Your drawing shows that off incredibly well - the crown is so incredible! :)
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