Background
Diane was born in Paris during 1538 and was formally legitimised in 1547.
Diane was born in Paris during 1538 and was formally legitimised in 1547.
The constable de Montmorency went so far as to assert that of all the children of Henry II. Diane was the only one who resembled him. Catherine de’ Medici was greatly incensed at this affront, and took her revenge by having the constable disgraced on the death of Henry II. Brantôme is loud in praise of Diane. She was a perfect horsewoman and dancer, played several musical instruments, knew Spanish and Italian, and “estoit très belle de visage et de taille. ”
Diane became a favourite of Henry III, King of France, who made her Duchess of Angoulême in appanage (during her lifetime only) during 1582. Diane also enjoyed much respect at the court of Henry IV, King of France, and superintended the education of his son Louis XIII.
Diane died in Paris at her hôtel of Angoulême. Her surviving letters reveal her as a woman of great courage and tolerance.
Diane was married on 14 February 1552 to Orazio Farnese, Duke of Castro, but was later widowed in 1553 after Orazio was killed in battle at Hesdin. Diane's second marriage was to Francis de Montmorency in 1559, who was the eldest son of Anne, Constable of France. Diane was widowed for a second time in 1579, after helping her to make her husband a leader of the politiques, a moderate Roman Catholic group in France.
