モンテスパン、MARQUISE DE MONTESPAN(1641-1707) Françoise-Athénaïs of Rochechouart, marquise of Montespan (October 5, 1641 - May 27, 1707) was a mistress of Louis XIV. Born at the chateau of Tonnay-Charente (Charente-Inferieure), France, the daughter of Gabriel de Rochechouart, duc de Mortemart. She was educated at the Convent of St Mary at Saintes, and when she was twenty she became maid-of-honour to Queen Maria Theresa. She married in January 1663 LH de Pardaillan de Gondrin, marquis de Montespan, who was a year younger than herself. By him she had two children, LH Pardaillan de Gondrin, duc d'Antin, born in 1665, and a daughter. Beauty was only one of Madame de Montespan's charms; she was a cultivated and amusing talker who won the admiration of such figures as Saint-Simon and Mme de Sévigné. She was also a profound believer in witchcraft.-wikipedia.en |