Anne of Brittany

Anne of Brittany (January 25, 1477 – January 9, 1514) was also known as Anna of Brittany and Anne de Bretagne. She was born in Nantes, France on January 25, 1477 and was the daughter of Francis II, Duke of Brittany and Margaret of Foix.

Of Note

Anne was her parents' only child who survived childhood, and her marriage was therefore of immense political importance. When her father died after falling from a horse on September 9, 1488, Anne became the Duchess of Brittany. This caused an enormous disruption in the internal politics of Brittany because Anne was then only eleven years old and still single, which meant that several Breton factions were able to struggle for control of the duchy.

Related Topics:
September 9 - 1488 - Duchess of Brittany

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Anne was a highly intelligent woman and spent most of her time on the administration of Brittany, as well as guarding its autonomy. This was futile in the end, however, as the duchy was eventually fully merged with the French crown by her daughter Claude.

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Anne was also a patron of the arts and enjoyed music. She commissioned a book of French manuscripts, known as the Book of Hours. She also instituted the queen's maids of honour at the court.

Related Topics:
Book of Hours - Maids of honour

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One of Anne's legs was shorter than the other (a common ailment affecting many people), causing a limp. To fix the problem, she wore a higher heel on that leg.

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Anne kept a box of precious stones and semi-precious stones. She would randomly pick one and give it to her visitors.

Related Topics:
Precious stone - Semi-precious stone

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Anne died on January 9, 1514 in the Chateau de Blois. Her death signified the end of the independence of the duchy of Brittany from the French throne, and from 1514 the title was only conferred on French princes.

Related Topics:
January 9 - 1514 - Chateau de Blois

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