When the French royal court from the XV century, there was an unprecedented ... It was not even post, but a certain status, which could give the King of France is one of their loved ones. Unlike all the other beauties who visited the royal arms, the official mistress had the opportunity to influence the course of political events, to intervene actively in the life of the royal court, and even - in the relations within the ruling family. Thus, the king of France in his private life was like the lord of the east - in addition to his wife, the queen, he had maîtresse en titre, which had a variety of privileges, and if the king was distinguished by loving, then this kind of ... Tellingly, the royal maîtresse en titre ( with a few exceptions ) were women, extraordinary, brilliant and worthy, if not admiration, at least - interest. Diane de Poitiers - one of them. The brilliant beauty, she had a lofty mind, and at the same time, was prudent, and how they used to say her detractors - extremely niggardly. Latitude views coexisted there with religious obscurantism, and a love of fine art and beauty - with bigotry and cruelty. Diana was not only a muse and lover, but also a mentor of King Henry II. Remembering the life of Diane de Poitiers, stóit always remember one important fact - it was a worthy rival of Catherine de Medici, a woman who has become a long specimen of great intelligence and great cunning as. And this story began in 1499, when the noble family of Jean de Poitiers de Saint - Valle had a daughter, Diane. ( Some historians, however, referred to a different date - in 1500, but our story is not so important). When the girl was only 15 years old, her married to the Seneschal of Normandy, Louis de Breze. As expected, the husband was much older than the lovely Diana - 40 years! . In 1531 Louis de Breze dies, leaving her no longer young (by the standards of the XVI century ), wife to mourn in widowhood. But no such luck! . Scientists are still debating what was the cause of female longevity Diana - a healthy way of life or its lack of a ... But, anyway, a few years later fate brought an excellent widow with a young Dauphin Henry - he was 20 years younger than Diana. Dauphin was gloomy, unsociable, and felt deeply unhappy - as a child Henry was at the court of Charles V of Spain as a hostage, and transferred in connection with this stress adversely affected the character of the future monarch. In addition, the age of 14 Henrich married to an equally young Catherine de Medici, which, alas, did not respond to his ideas about the Beautiful Lady. Even as a Spanish prisoner, Henry avidly reading chivalric novels and dreaming, like the book characters, bend the knee before that, one and only. Thus, the heroine of his novel became a widow de Breze - smart, beautiful, and interpretive. In addition, it gave Henry and his young wife, the wise practical advice. Thus, there is a very authoritative opinion of historians that the bed of Catherine de 'Medici to attend Henry II was precisely on the insistence of his wise Diana. Of course, directing the Dauphin in the bedroom of his legitimate wife, mistress was not thinking about righteousness - a clever and cunning Diana wanted to strengthen the position of her lover. In what way? . In 1544 Catherine de Medici gave birth to first child - Francis (the future King Francis II). Now this beauty Diana can calmly wait for my finest hour. In the spring of 1547 his father passed away the Dauphin - King Francis I. From now on everything belongs to her and Henry, Diane, who not only dominated the will of the French monarch, and even did the impossible - turned gloomy misanthrope in a witty companion and a connoisseur of fine arts. In honor of Diana arranged sumptuous feasts, balls, tournaments and hunting. Artists often depict royal maîtresse en titre in the image of the ancient Diana, goddess- huntress. That is, a great favorite, not scowling clever Catherine de Medici, the real Queen of France! Famous chronicler of the French court manners Brantome wrote about Diana: ... These things pretty annoyed the Queen. Complaining of this treatment of his favorite court lady, the Queen conspired with her doznatsya than so she seduces the king 's widow, and even a peek at games, with which teshilis king and his mistress. For the sake of the bedroom above the aforesaid lady was done a few holes in order to spy on how they live together and laugh at such a spectacle, but have seen nothing but beauty and grace ... In the 1548th year, the king bestowed the title of Duchess Diane de Valentinois, and ordered to build a palace for her Anet. Another, more famous was the favorite abode of Chenonceau Castle. By the way, the question arises - why the widow de Breze, who became the Duchess of Valentinois same, went down in history under her maiden name ... Not to mention ... It has always been too ambitious, just to accept gifts, even the way from the hands of the most significant ruler of Europe. De Poitiers was present at the birth of royal children, who personally chose them for the nurses and caregivers. Furthermore, she gave Catherine the delicate tips of a sexual nature - that the Queen learned from Diana, what is the best way to entertain husband in bed! . It may sound strange, but Diane de Poitiers was incredibly pious special - it is fervently hated the Reformation, and, according to many researchers, it is of Aquitaine to Henry II instilled a hatred of the Huguenots. Sam Pope, Paul III, belonged to Diana very kindly. It got to that church leaders praised her sincere piety. Well, hypocrisy - a frequent companion of vices! Since 1550, Madame de Poitiers dominated the work of all the royal service, was in charge of bias and the appointment of officials. This might subsequently managed to achieve only the Marquise de Pompadour by Louis XV. His daughters issued a Poitier Claude Lorraine Duc de Mayenne, and for Robert de la Mark, Marshal of France. It would seem that life is good. Historians and novelists are often asking: ... Too well known for his affair with Mary Fleming, a girl from the suite of Mary of Scotland. Henry, however, always came back to Diana. I think the main reason for such a long affection was that of Poitiers, as no one knew how to be desired. She knew all the habits, fears and doubts about the King of France. It might cheer him, inspire and instill confidence in him. Moreover, Diana King ran without any pressure on him - he, it seemed that it was he - a smart and brave - take vital decisions. The onset of 1559, Diana waited with fear - the astrologers had predicted her lover, ... She, like Catherine de Medici, was superstitious. At the end of June 1559 began the celebration of the betrothal of the royal sisters. Ardent admirer of jousting, Henry II declared that he wanted to fight with anyone wishing to. The young Earl of Montgomery decided to compete in strength and agility with the king of forty. Knight's fun ended tragically - Montgomery spear pierced the king 's head. With the death of the king had set and the star 's favorite. Catherine could celebrate the victory! . However, it is not possible, and the queen was forced to exchange Chenonceaux for Chaumont Castle. Diane de Poitiers died in 1566, of course, not from disease or old age. The cause of her death is considered a fall from a horse. Well worthy of death for the hunter -goddess.
Discuss.
