Jeanne de Gontaut
Encyclopedia
Jeanne de Gontaut, Countess of Noailles (c.1520- 26 September 1586), was a French noblewoman and the wife of Antoine de Noailles, Admiral of France
and French Ambassador to England from 1553 to 1556. Following her husband's death in 1562, Jeanne became a lady-in-waiting
to the Queen Mother
of France, Catherine de Medici.
persuaded him to give his consent.
The marriage produced eight children:
, and wrote many letters, many of which are still extant. Her only son, Henry was born in London
during their sojourn in England, and Queen Mary stood as the boy's godmother
with the Countess of Surrey
acting as her proxy.
Jeanne was pregnant with her youngest child, Françoise when she and her husband returned to France at the end of his tenure at the English court.
Following Noailles death in 1562, she became a lady-in-waiting to Catherine de Medici, Queen Mother of France. She herself died on 26 September 1586 at the age of about 66.
Admiral of France
The title Admiral of France is one of the Great Officers of the Crown of France, the naval equivalent of Marshal of France.The title was created in 1270 by Louis IX of France, during the Eighth Crusade. At the time it was equivalent to the office of Constable of France. The Admiral was responsible...
and French Ambassador to England from 1553 to 1556. Following her husband's death in 1562, Jeanne became a lady-in-waiting
Lady-in-waiting
A lady-in-waiting is a female personal assistant at a royal court, attending on a queen, a princess, or a high-ranking noblewoman. Historically, in Europe a lady-in-waiting was often a noblewoman from a family highly thought of in good society, but was of lower rank than the woman on whom she...
to the Queen Mother
Queen mother
Queen Mother is a title or position reserved for a widowed queen consort whose son or daughter from that marriage is the reigning monarch. The term has been used in English since at least 1577...
of France, Catherine de Medici.
Family and marriage
She was born in France, the daughter of Raymond de Gontaut, Seigneur de Cabrerès and Françoise de Bonafos, Dame de Lentour. On 31 May 1540, after four years of courtship, a contract was signed for her marriage to Antoine de Noailles, 1st Count of Noailles. Her father was against the match in the beginning, however, 12 lettres de cachet from King Francis IFrancis I of France
Francis I was King of France from 1515 until his death. During his reign, huge cultural changes took place in France and he has been called France's original Renaissance monarch...
persuaded him to give his consent.
The marriage produced eight children:
- Marie de Noailles (born 1543)
- Françoise de Noailles (born 1548)
- Marthe de Noailles (born 1552)
- Henri de NoaillesHenri de NoaillesHenri de Noailles, comte d'Ayen , son of Antoine, was a commander in the religious wars, and was made comte d'Ayen by Henry IV in 1593.-References:...
, Count d'Ayen (5 July 1554- 13 May 1623), married on 22 June 1578 Jeanne Gemaine d'Espagne, by whom he had three children, including Francois de Noailles, Count of Ayen (1584–1645). - Françoise de Noailles (born after June 1556)
Life in England
In 1553, Jeanne's husband was appointed French Ambassador to England. She accompanied him, but had little influence in his career. She paid visits to Queen Mary IMary I of England
Mary I was queen regnant of England and Ireland from July 1553 until her death.She was the only surviving child born of the ill-fated marriage of Henry VIII and his first wife Catherine of Aragon. Her younger half-brother, Edward VI, succeeded Henry in 1547...
, and wrote many letters, many of which are still extant. Her only son, Henry was born in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
during their sojourn in England, and Queen Mary stood as the boy's godmother
Godparent
A godparent, in many denominations of Christianity, is someone who sponsors a child's baptism. A male godparent is a godfather, and a female godparent is a godmother...
with the Countess of Surrey
Frances Howard, Countess of Surrey
Frances Howard, , Countess of Surrey was the daughter of John de Vere, 15th Earl of Oxford and Elizabeth Trussell, Countess of Oxford. Frances married twice, first to Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey, son of Thomas Howard, 3rd Duke of Norfolk and Lady Elizabeth Stafford, by whom she had five children...
acting as her proxy.
Jeanne was pregnant with her youngest child, Françoise when she and her husband returned to France at the end of his tenure at the English court.
Following Noailles death in 1562, she became a lady-in-waiting to Catherine de Medici, Queen Mother of France. She herself died on 26 September 1586 at the age of about 66.