Maintenon

Maintenon, Franchise d'Aubigne, Marquise de (1635-1719), mistress and second wife of Louis XIV., was the daughter of a persecuted Huguenot. After a time in Martinique, Francoise returned to her country, and was converted to Protestantism, being re-converted at the instigation of the king. Falling again into neglect, she married Scarron in 1651, and was thus introduced into the most brilliant society of the time. Scarron died, and after Anne of Austria's death the king would not continue the pension allowed to Scarron's widow. However, Madame de Montespan interested herself on Madame Scarron's behalf, and committed to her the care of the king's children. She came to court, took the king's fancy, and finally took Madame de Montespan's place, finding favour generally, even with the queen, and eventually marrying the king. Her political influence was great, and her Letters show talent, and throw light upon the Court intrigues of the time.