Françoise d'Aubigné, marquise de Maintenon

Françoise d'Aubigné, marquise de Maintenon (November 27, 1635 - April 15, 1719), the second wife of Louis XIV, was born in a prison at Niort.

Marriage with Louis XIV

The queen's death opened the way to yet greater advancement; in 1684 Mme de Maintenon became first lady in waiting to the dauphiness, and in the winter of 1685-1686 she was privately married to the king by Harlay, archbishop of Paris, in the presence, it is believed, of Père la Chaise, the king's confessor, the marquis de Montchevreuil, the chevalier de Forbin, and Bontemps. Due to the large inequality of social statuses, she could not marry the King openly and become queen, and their marriage was morganatic. No written proof of the marriage is extant, but that it took place is nevertheless certain.

Related Topics:
1684 - 1685 - 1686 - Harlay - Archbishop - Père la Chaise - Confessor - Marquis de Montchevreuil - Chevalier de Forbin - Bontemps - Morganatic

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Her life during the next thirty years can be fully studied in her letters, of which many authentic examples remain. As a wife she was wholly admirable; she had to entertain a man who would not be amused, and had to submit to that terribly strict court etiquette of absolute obedience to the king's inclination, which Saint-Simon so vividly describes, and yet be always cheerful and never complain of weariness or ill-health.

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