Background
Marie Leszczyńska was born on June 23, 1703, in Trzebnica, Lower Silesia.
Marie Leszczyńska was born on June 23, 1703, in Trzebnica, Lower Silesia.
Marie’s father, Stanisław Leszczyński, was elected King Stanisław I of Poland in 1704. After he was deposed in 1709, he settled with Marie at Wissembourg. In the hope of quickly obtaining an heir to the French throne, Louis XV’s chief minister, the duc de Bourbon, betrothed the 15-year-old king to Marie in 1725. Marie bore Louis 10 children between 1727 and 1737. In 1733 France entered the War of the Polish Succession against Austria in support of Stanisław’s claims to the Polish throne; Stanisław was made duke of Lorraine by the treaty that ended the conflict (1738).
In accordance with the treaty of 1738, Lorraine became a part of France when Marie’s father died in the following year.
Meanwhile, Louis XV, having lost interest in his queen, was lavishing his attentions on a succession of mistresses. Marie’s marital unhappiness was intensified by the death of the dauphin in 1765.
Marie Leszczyńska died on June 24, 1768.
Quotations:
"When all else fails, and to stand firm seems impossible, stand on the wood of the Cross; it will float with you. "
"Good kings are slaves, and their people are free. "
"Contentment travels rarely with fortune, but follows virtue even in misfortune. "
The queen was pious and timid, and spent most of her time secluded with her own courtiers. She was a musician, read extensively, and played social games with her courtiers.
On September 5, 1725, Marie Leszczyńska married Louis XV of France. They had ten children, seven of whom survived to adulthood.
Stanisław I Leszczyński was King of Poland, Grand Duke of Lithuania, Duke of Lorraine and a count of the Holy Roman Empire.
Catherine Opalińska was Queen consort of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth twice and Duchess consort of Lorraine by marriage.
Anna Leszczyńska was a Polish noblewoman from the Leszczyński family.
Thérèse of France was a French princess.
Marie Louise of France was a French princess.
Anne Henriette of France was a French princess and the twin of Louise Élisabeth of France.
Marie Adélaïde of France was a French princess.
Louise-Marie of France was a French princess and Carmelite.
Sophie Philippine Élisabeth Justine of France was a French princess.
Victoire of France was a French princess.
Marie Louise Élisabeth of France was a French princess.
Louis Ferdinand, Dauphin of France was the only surviving son of King Louis XV.
Philippe of France was a French prince.
Louis XV was a monarch of the House of Bourbon who ruled as King of France from September 1, 1715, until his death in 1774.
