Marie-Claire Valois

The Conquerer

❛ Well-behaved women seldom make history. ❜

Full Name Marie-Claire Valois neé Lorraine Alias — Age 54 (b. 1587) Alliance Crown Position Former Queen Regent Negative Traits Machiavellian, Draconian, Belligerent Positive Traits Eloquent, Persuasive, Maternal

She was the long-awaited and anticipated second child, and only daughter, of Stéphane former Duchy of Lorraine and Bar. Her home was the grandiose Ducal Palace of Nancy, known for its grandeur and renaissance architecture. To Marie-Claire it was quite simply home, although it set her up for a life-time of decadence and eloquent conversation. She was never to rule Lorraine herself, such a task fell onto her older brother Francis when their father passed away some short years after Marie-Claire’s birth. It meant the memories of her father are mere fragments, filled in by stories other people have told her, and as much as she grieved and mourned his loss, she’s always had Francis. Her older brother, now Duchy of Lorraine and Bar himself and has been for some decades, was always her closest companion growing up. The pair were nigh inseparable.

But as Francis’ duties as ruler of Lorraine built up, time with her brother became scarce and Marie-Claire found herself on an entirely different path to him. Her brother learnt of politics and war, she learnt of Etiquette and how to be a befitting wife. Neither of the latter were ever of much interest to her and if her governess had allowed her, Marie-Claire would’ve taken up the sword rather than skirts and corsets. Still, her fate was sealed and after a blissful childhood tucked away and catered for, in 1603 as a gesture of peace and goodwill she travelled with an envoy to Paris. Her invitation to court was a great deal bigger than merely coming of age. Tensions between France and Lorraine had been building and in a bid to settle them Francis offered up his younger sister, at the time, Marie-Claire saw it to be a betrayal of trust. She had wanted nothing more than to remain in Nancy and be his advisor, but such hopes were fanciful and in the end, she had no choice. 

At first Marie-Claire was diffident to Paris, she held her head high and kept mostly to herself despite the invitation to court. But gradually the Palace of Tuileries grew on her. Young, pretty and when she meant to be, eloquently charming, Marie-Claire eventually earned the favour of numerous young gentleman of the court, but there was only ever one that she had any true interest in. King Louis of France. No fool would ever refuse his hand when offered and Marie-Claire was not foolish enough to let herself be won so easily. She kept him wanting more, wrapped him around her little finger and in the year of 1605 they married. The marriage ensured peace between Lorraine and France, but more so Marie-Claire finally found herself a home, and a place to rule. She was diligent and faithful wife, but despite this their marriage got off to a rocky start when Marie-Claire was unable to produce an heir, or any child, for Louis. It would be a nearly a decade into their marriage before fate would work in Marie’s favour, by then she suspected her husband of infidelity. Not that she waited long enough to find out, before the truth came out that Louis had in-fact be sleeping with a mistress she acted to ensure her position in court would remain. The web she’d weaved protected, as in 1613 not long after she’d fallen pregnant she and Louis were officially, but privately, divorced.

Options were slim for the then Marie-Claire, she could remain in court under the false pretence that her marriage with Louis was still in-tact deal with the shame that would come when and if the truth bled out, or flee home. A weaker woman would’ve fled to Nancy to see refuge with her family, but Marie remained unwavering. She did everything in her power to ensure that her position in court would remain untouched, refusing to vacate her apartments or dismiss her ladies. After the birth of her son, Alexandre, she schemed to have the King’s new wife removed, but after she concluded that it wouldn’t be enough, and he’d seek another young beautiful mistress soon after. She cut the weed at its roots. The rumours that circle Louis Valois’ death have been oft times ridiculous but there are a few that come reasonably close to the truth, and that truth with die with Marie.

Her reign as Queen Regent lasted until Alexandre came of age, but even now she tries to rule through him rather than advise or remain a passive onlooker. Despite all suggestions that she ought to retire back to Nancy and live with her now elderly brother, whom is blissfully unaware of any of the tragedies that have befall Marie or been incurred at her hand, but Marie likes to shoot any such suggestions down. She will not retire, and long may she reign.

Connections

Alexandre Valois — There is no denying that Marie-Claire is a loving mother, even if occasionally her ways of expressing it are a little out of the ordinary. She loves her son unconditionally and will continue to support him in his reign, so long as she lives. Even if she thinks him too weak and incompetent to occupy the throne. Although she gives Alexandre plenty of space to make his own decisions she does quite frequently nudge him into the right direction. 

Cardinal Rossignol — In all her years at court, Marie-Claire has never been greatly fond of him, even when times were happier and peaceful. She thinks him sly and ill-mannered, far from the pious Cardinal he portrays himself to be. If Marie-Claire could she’d have disposed of him long ago, certain that he had a hand in her divorce. Rossignol is a power-hungry snake, whom she’d delight in curtly dismissing if it were up to her, unfortunately such matters are out of her hands for the time being.

Jean Bourbon-Condé — Her closest ally in a court of mostly fools and ladies swooning over the latest pretty young gentleman. Jean has remained a constant in her life when everyone else seems to be set on betraying her, for that Marie has entrusted her circles to Jean, or most of them. During her reign as regent Jean was her right-hand man and he continues to be so. Although she thinks it would be an ill choice for him to return to Chantilly and is keen on keeping him at court for as long as she can.

This character is portrayed by MEGAN FOLLOWS and is TAKEN