The early life of Diane de Poitiers showed her to be one of the most ambitious women of the Renaissance.
Early Life
Diane de Poiters was born on December 31, 1499 (though some historicans debate over the accuracy of this date) at her family seat, Saint Vallier. The daughter of Jehan de Poitiers and Jeanne de Batarnay, Diane was born into one of France’s most powerful families. Diane’s mother died when she was six, and shortly thereafter she was sent to stay at the home of the formidable Anne de Beaujeu, relation to the King François I.
Education
In Anne de Beaujeu’s household Diane was raised with other daughters from aristocratic families. The girls were taught according to the Humanist Movement, so popular at the time. They learned languages, music, manners, hunting, the art of conversation and dancing. It is said that Diane could read Latin at age 7 and Greek at age 8. She played both the lute and the oboe, and was an excellent rider.
Marriage
At the age of 15 Diane was married to 56 year old Louis de Breze, Grand Senechal of Normandy (sort of like a governor). Despite the vast difference in their ages, Diane welcomed the marriage, since it would elevate her to an even higher social status. As the Grand Senechal’s wife, Diane would be just below the rank of Princess of the Blood. In a time when social standing meant wealth and power, this was a very advantageous match. They were married on Easter Monday, March 29th, 1515 at the Hotel de Bourbon in Paris.
Diane had two daughters with Louis de Breze. Their oldest, Françoise (named for King Francois I) was born in the spring of 1517. Her second daughter, Louise, was born in 1520.
Personality
Diane was well liked at the court of King François I. She was witty and intelligent, but not overly outgoing. She maintained a sense of mystery that many found alluring. There is little debate that Diane was a beauty. Standing tall and slender, she had reddish-gold hair, white alabaster skin and beautiful blue-green eyes. Daily exercise certainly played a part in Diane’s beauty. She was known to ride each morning, at the crack of dawn for three hours, no matter what the weather was like outside. Like many Renaissance ladies, Diane wore a black velvet mask to protect her skin from the sun, as well as from tree branches that might leave scratches. She also was into the very odd habit (at least for the 16th Century) of bathing on a daily basis.
Court Life
François I began a new custom at his court, that of inviting ladies to be a part of daily life. Prior to this, court had been made up primarily of men, intent on running the country. Now court became a place of social gatherings, as well as the seat of government. François invited Diane to be one of Queen Claude’s ladies-in-waiting. On March 31, 1519, Queen Claude gave birth to her second son called Henri, in honor of King Henry VIII, the baby’s godfather. Diane, age 19, was in attendance at the birth. Though she did not know it at the time, Diane’s fate would be forever linked to this new royal prince.
Intrigued? Want to know more about this mysterious Renaissance woman? Be sure check back for next weeks article, Diane & Henri.
Sources:
HRH Princess Michael of Kent. The Serpent & The Moon. New York: Touchstone, 2004
Herman, Eleanor, Sex with Kings New York: Harper Collins, 2004.
Sider, Sandra. Handbook to life in Renaissance Europe. New York: Facts on File, 2004
