Anne Marie Louise d'Orléans, Duchess of Montpensier (b. 1627)

Anne Marie Louise d'Orléans, a prominent figure of 17th-century France, was born on May 29, 1627, into a world of immense privilege and political intrigue. Known throughout history as La Grande Mademoiselle, a moniker signifying her elevated status as the most senior unmarried princess of the blood, she was the only daughter of Gaston d'Orléans, the younger brother of King Louis XIII, and his first wife, Marie de Bourbon, Duchess of Montpensier. Her mother's untimely death just a few days after her birth left Anne Marie Louise as the sole heir to an colossal fortune, making her one of the wealthiest women in European history and, consequently, one of the most sought-after brides on the continent.

A Life Shaped by Wealth and Royal Connections

From an early age, La Grande Mademoiselle's destiny was intertwined with the political chessboard of Europe. Her vast inheritance, which included the duchies of Montpensier, Châtellerault, and Saint-Fargeau, along with numerous other lordships and lands, made her an irresistible matrimonial prize. Throughout her life, she received a string of marriage proposals from various powerful European rulers, each union promising significant political alliances and a consolidation of power. Among her notable suitors were Charles II of England, who sought to restore the Stuart monarchy, Afonso VI of Portugal, and Charles Emmanuel II, Duke of Savoy. Despite these prestigious offers, each carrying the potential to reshape European politics, Anne Marie Louise, known for her independent spirit, ultimately remained unmarried to any sovereign, hinting at a life that often defied conventional expectations for women of her standing.

The Tumult of The Fronde

Perhaps one of the most defining periods of La Grande Mademoiselle's life was her active, and indeed audacious, involvement in The Fronde, a series of civil wars that plagued France between 1648 and 1653. These conflicts pitted various factions of the French aristocracy and parliament against the regency government of Queen Anne of Austria and her chief minister, Cardinal Mazarin, during the minority of King Louis XIV. Exhibiting a remarkable display of courage and conviction, Anne Marie Louise aligned herself with the rebellious princes. Her most famous act occurred during the Battle of the Faubourg Saint-Antoine in 1652, when she famously ordered the cannons of the Bastille to fire upon the royal troops, thereby allowing the rebellious Prince de Condé's forces to retreat safely into Paris. This daring intervention, unprecedented for a woman of her rank, solidified her reputation as a formidable and fiercely independent figure, though it also led to her subsequent exile from the royal court, a period she spent at her château of Saint-Fargeau.

A Scandalous Love and Lasting Legacy

After her return from exile, Anne Marie Louise's life took another unexpected turn when she fell deeply in love with a charming but lower-ranking courtier, Antoine Nompar de Caumont, Marquis (later Duc) de Lauzun. Their romance scandalised the highly stratified court of France, as a union between a princess of the blood and a mere gentleman was considered a profound mésalliance – a marriage to someone of inferior social standing, which would compromise her royal lineage and dignity. Defying societal norms, she boldly asked her cousin, King Louis XIV, for permission to marry Lauzun. While the Sun King initially considered granting his approval, intense pressure from the court and members of the royal family forced him to retract his consent, leading to Lauzun's imprisonment and a long, tumultuous period for the couple. Despite the heartbreak, Anne Marie Louise's unwavering devotion to Lauzun showcased her deeply personal and often unconventional approach to life.

Beyond her political and romantic entanglements, La Grande Mademoiselle also left an indelible mark on French culture. She is credited with bringing the immensely talented composer and musician Jean-Baptiste Lully to the king's court, a patronage that would ultimately shape the future of French opera and ballet. Furthermore, her candid and extensive Mémoires offer invaluable insights into 17th-century French court life, political events, and her own unique perspective, providing historians and readers alike with a vivid first-hand account of an extraordinary era. She died on April 5, 1693, unmarried and childless, leaving her vast fortune to her cousin, Philippe of France, Duke of Orléans, known as Monsieur, the only surviving legitimate brother of King Louis XIV.

Frequently Asked Questions About La Grande Mademoiselle

Who was Anne Marie Louise d'Orléans, Duchess of Montpensier?
She was a French princess of the blood, born in 1627, renowned as one of the wealthiest heiresses in European history. Known as La Grande Mademoiselle, she was the only daughter of Gaston d'Orléans, brother of King Louis XIII, and his first wife, Marie de Bourbon.
Why was she called "La Grande Mademoiselle"?
The title "Mademoiselle" was customarily given to the eldest unmarried daughter of the king's brother. She was called "La Grande" to distinguish her as the most senior and wealthiest of these princesses, reflecting her immense rank and fortune.
What was her role in The Fronde?
During the civil wars known as The Fronde (1648-1653), she famously supported the rebellious princes against the royal government. Her most notable act was at the Battle of the Faubourg Saint-Antoine, where she ordered the cannons of the Bastille to fire on royal forces to aid the retreat of the Prince de Condé's army into Paris.
Who were her prominent marriage suitors?
Due to her immense wealth and royal lineage, she received proposals from many European rulers, including Charles II of England, Afonso VI of Portugal, and Charles Emmanuel II of Savoy.
Why was her relationship with Antoine Nompar de Caumont controversial?
Her deep affection for Antoine Nompar de Caumont, a mere courtier, was controversial because a marriage between a princess of her standing and someone of lower nobility was considered a mésalliance, a breach of social and royal decorum that would have scandalized the court and diminished her status.
What is her legacy in culture and literature?
She is remembered for her patronage of the arts, notably for bringing the renowned composer Jean-Baptiste Lully to the French court. Furthermore, her extensive Mémoires provide invaluable first-hand accounts and insights into 17th-century French court life, politics, and her own remarkable personality.
Who inherited her vast fortune?
As she died unmarried and childless on April 5, 1693, her considerable fortune was bequeathed to her cousin, Philippe of France, Duke of Orléans, also known as Monsieur, who was King Louis XIV's only surviving legitimate brother.