Diane De Poitiers

Background

Diane de Poitiers was the daughter of Jean de Poitiers, seigneur de St Vallier, who came of an old family of Dauphiné.

Education

Diane was educated according to the principles of Renaissance humanism, in music, hunting, manners, languages, the art of conversation, and dancing. She learned how to read Latin and Greek, and became a keen hunter and sportswoman.

Career

When Diane's husband died, she replaced him by a more illustrious lover, the king’s second son, Henry, who became dauphin in 1536. Although he was ten years younger than Diane, she inspired the young prince with a profound passion, which lasted until his death. The accession of Henry II. in 1547 was also the accession of Diane: she was virtual queen, while Henry’s lawful wife, Catherine de’ Medici, lived in comparative obscurity. The part Diane played, however, must not be exaggerated. More rapacious than ambitious, she concerned herself little with government, but devoted her energies chiefly to augmenting her income, and providing for her family and friends. Henry was the most prodigal of lovers, and gave her all rights over the duchy of Valentinois. Although she showed great tact in her dealings with the queen, Catherine drove her from the court after Henry’s death, and forced her to restore the crown jewels and to accept Chaumont in exchange for Chenonceaux. Diane retired to her château at Anet, where she died in 1566.

Several historians relate that she had been the mistress of Francis I. before she became the dauphin’s mistress, and that she gave herself to the king in order to obtain the pardon of her father, who had been condemned to death as an accomplice of the constable de Bourbon. This rumour, however, has no serious foundation. Men vied with each other in celebrating Diane’s beauty, which, if we may judge from her portraits, has been slightly exaggerated. She was a healthy, vigorous woman, and, by dint of great pains, succeeded in retaining her beauty late into life. It is said that even on the coldest mornings she would wash her face with well water. Diane was a patroness of the arts. She entrusted to Philibert de l’Orme the building of her château at Anet, and it was for her that Jean Goujon executed his masterpiece, the statue of Diana, now in the Louvre.

Achievements

• Diane became notorious as King Henry's chief mistress and in this role she wielded much influence and power at the French Court

Works

More photos

• book

  • Archives du cha?teau de Chenonceau. Diane de Poitiers au Conseil du Roi. E?pisode de l'histoire de Chenonceau sous Franc?ois Ier et Henry II, ... par M. l'abbe? C. Chevalier. (French Edition)

    ( Title: Archives du cha?teau de Chenonceau. Diane de Poi...)

Connections

In 1515 Diane married Louis de Brézé, grand seneschal of Normandy, by whom she had two daughters. She became a widow in 1533.

Father:

Jean de Poitiers

French nobleman

Mother:

Jeanne de Batarnay

Spouse:

Louis de Brézé, Seigneur d'Anet

French nobleman, the grandson of King Charles VII of France

Daughter:

Françoise de Brézé

French courtier

Daughter:

Louise de Brézé

References

• Diane de Poitiers (French Edition)
• Diane de Poitiers
• Diane de Poitiers' Book of Days
• A Portrait In Black And White: Diane De Poitiers In Her Own Words