Dianaof Poitiers

Diana of Poitiers (1499-1566), Duchess of Valentinois, a noted Frenchwoman, descended from the noble family of Poitiers in Dauphine. At the age of 13 she married Louis de Breze, Comte de Maulevrier, Grand-Seneschal of Normandy, and grandson of Agnes Sorel. Left a widow in 1531, she became the mistress of the Duke of Orleans, who succeeded to the throne as Henry II. in 1547. She had great influence over the king, and retained it till his death in 1559, holding her own with Catherine de Medici, who, moreover, had great respect for her. After the king's death she lived in retirement at her castle of Anet. She raised a mausoleum to her husband in Rouen cathedral, and her statue by Benvenuto Cellini is now at Paris, as is also a statue of her by Jean Goujon. She served as subject to many sculptors and painters.