François 1er – Women at Court
Kieran, Isla, James and Laura
François
Reign: 1 January 1515 – 31 March 1547
Coronation: 25 January 1515
Predecessor: Louis XII
Successor: Henry II
His Reign
François' reign saw important
cultural change.
A key player in the development
and promotion of a
standardized French language.
Became known as “le Père et
Restaurateur des Lettres”.
François & Marriage
18 May 1514, François married
his second cousin Claude,
the daughter of King Louis
XII of France and Duchess
Anne of Brittany.
7 July 1530, François married
his second wife Eleanor of
Austria, a sister of the
Emperor Charles V.
François’ Mistresses
During his reign, François kept
two official mistresses at
court.
a. Françoise de Foix,
Countess of Châteaubriant.
b. Anne de Pisseleu d'Heilly,
Duchess of Étampes
Another of his earlier
mistresses was allegedly Mary
Boleyn.
Marguerite de Navarre
With his sister Marguerite, he was raised by his mother.
François was initially an advocate of Protestantism thanks to his
sister.
“Wherever courts existed as centres of wealth, artistic activity,
and discourse, opportunities abounded for intelligent women to
perform in the role of patroness of arts and culture.” Women of
the Renaissance, Margaret L King
“Louise of savoy tutored the future King François I and his
sister, Marguerite, according to the principles of Italian
humanism.” Ibid
“Marguerite was the director of cultural matters at her brother’s
royal court and the protector of a circle of learned men. ” Ibid
Jeanne D’Albret (1528-1572)- la Nièce de François
Jeanne D’albret was one of the key
figures of the French
reformation
Jeanne's mother was Marguerite de
Navarre
June 1541 - Jeanne marries at the
age of 12 against her will - she
had to be taken by the collar
forcibly to the altar
As niece to François 1st she
possessed a pivotal marital
role.
Renée de France (1510-1574) - La Belle-Soeur de François
She was an important figure in the
history of the Protestant Reformation
both in Italy and in France.
“Because she carefully avoided
explicitly revealing her religious
loyalties and convictions in faith,
it has remained a subject of debate
whether or not she died a Huguenot.”
Women as Models, Leaders, and
Teachers of the Reformation, Kirsi
Stjerna, pg 176
Conclusions…?
Women in the court of François 1er were granted educational
privileges as shown through Marguerite presence in social
circles, her respect amongst her peers and Jeanne and Renée’s
influence in the Protestant Reformation.
Hence, education was for Francois was key in the Reformation.
However, women were still subject to the constraints of wider
society, as demonstrated in Jeanne’s forced marriage, François’
disregard for his sister’s emotional trauma (miscarriages).
Bibliography
Women of the Renaissance, Margaret L King
Women as Models, Leaders, and Teachers of the Reformation, Kirsi
Stjerna
http://www.reformed.org/webfiles/antithesis/index.html?mainframe=/
webfiles/antithesis/v1n2/ant_v1n2_royalty.html
http://www.britannica.com/biography/Francis-I-king-of-France