Life was not always easy for royal daughters.
François I and Queen Claude had four daughters during their ten-year marriage. While royal offspring were treated to much more lavish lifestyles than the average Renaissance child, there were heavy burdens to bear as well. Princesses had a duty to marry whomever their parents chose. Love was definitely not a consideration.
The first child born to François and Claude was Louise, Princess of France. Born on August 19, 1515, she died just two years later on September 21, 1517. Next was Princess Charlotte, who was born on October 16, 1516. She died of measles on September 8, 1524 at the tender age of 7 ½.
Madeleine, Princess of France is one of those illusive historical figures that, had she lived, could well have played a major role in Western European history. Born on August 10, 1520, Madeleine was always in frail health. Some experts believe she suffered from tuberculosis for most of her life. In September 1536 the dashing Scots king, James V came calling to France to meet his prospective bride, Mary of Bourbon. However, James found he did not care much for the plain-faced Mary. Instead, he asked François I for Madeleine’s hand. Madeleine was not only beautiful, she was a wealthy princess. What better mate for a king? Some say François did not relish the idea of sending his frail daughter to the damp, cold climate of Scotland. Others, such as HRH the Princess of Kent, declare that François strongly encouraged James suit. No matter his personal thought, François needed to maintain the Auld Alliance with Scotland, to keep old King Henry VIII at bay. James and Madeleine were married in France on January 1, 1537. The sailed home to Scotland in May, and Madeleine was dead on July 2. Her health could not withstand the trip and the Scottish climate. It was said that James, a notorious rake with nine illegitimate children running about, genuinely mourned his lovely wife. However, within a year he had married Marie de Guise, another powerful Frenchwoman in a proxy ceremony. Their daughter, Mary, Queen of Scots, would grow up to be one of the most romanticized figures in history.
Margaret of France was the last child of François and Claude. She was born on June 5, 1523. In keeping with the political schemes of the day, Margaret (or Marguerite) was married to the Duc de Savoie, Emmanuel Philibert. Known as the Duchess of Berry, Margaret had one son, Charles Emmanuel, Duc de Savoie.
Sources
HRH Princess Michael of Kent. Serpent and the Moon. New York: Touchstone, 2004
Oram, Richard. Kings and Queens of Scotland. Gloucestershire: Tempus, 2006
Sider, Sandra. Handbook to life in Renaissance Europe. New York: Facts on File, 2004
