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Her court at Usson, where, as a prisoner, she lived for twenty years, was the most brilliant and least material of all France; there poets, artists, and scholars were held in high esteem, and were on familiar footing with Marguerite; the latter showed no despotism, but, with the most consummate skill, directed conversations and proposed subjects, encouraging discussion, and skilfully drawing from her friends the most brilliant repartees.
At last, she was seized and imprisoned in the fortress of Usson; here she was supported mainly by Elizabeth of Austria, widow of Charles IX. When her husband became King of France, he refused to liberate her until she should renounce her rank; to this condition she refused to accede until after the death of her rival, the mistress of Henry—Gabrielle d'Estrées, Duchess de Beaufort.
Availles, Bellefonds, Bethines, Beruges, Bonnes, Bussieres, Chateau Gamier, Champniers, Curzay, Civeaux, Gouex, Ingrandes, S. Julien Lars, Jazneuil, Leugny- sur-Creuse, Loudun, Lautiers, Lusignan, Marnay, Maire-le-Gautier, S. Martin-Lars, S. Martin-la-Riviere, Maslou Montmorillon, Mazerolles, Mondion, Maulay, Montreuil-Bonnin, Naintre, Princai, Romagne, S. Remy- sur-Creuse, Saulge, Nouvaille, Persac, S. Savin, Sossais, Thure, Usson, Varennes, Le Vigean, Veniers, Velleches, Verrieres, Venneuil-sur-Biard.
Sully had felt that it was unnecessary to explain himself more clearly, as a reconciliation between Henri IV and his erring consort had, from the profligate life which she was known to have led at Usson, become utterly impossible; nor could she doubt for an instant the nature of the sacrifice which was required at her hands.
Marriages of Henri IV Marguerite de Valois Her character Her marriage with the King of Navarre Massacre of Saint Bartholomew Henri, Duc d'Anjou, elected sovereign of Poland Death of Charles IX Accession of Henri III Conspiracy of the Duc d'Alençon Revealed by Marguerite Henry of Navarre escapes from the French Court Henry of Navarre protests against his enforced oath Marguerite is imprisoned by her brother The Duc d'Alençon returns to his allegiance Marguerite joins her husband in Béarn Domestic discord Marriage-portion of Marguerite Court of Navarre Dupin insults the Queen of Navarre Catherine de Medicis induces Marguerite to return to France The Duc d'Alençon again revolts Marguerite arrests a royal courier She is banished with ignominy from the French Court She is deprived of her attendants Henry of Navarre refuses to receive her in the palace Marguerite returns to Agen Her licentiousness Agen is stormed and taken by the Maréchal de Matignon Marguerite escapes to the fortress of Carlat The inhabitants of the town resolve to deliver her up to the French King She is made prisoner by the Marquis de Canillac, and conveyed to Usson She seduces the governor of the fortress Death of the Duc d'Alençon Poverty of Marguerite Accession of Henri IV He embraces the Catholic faith His dissipated habits The Duc de Bouillon heads the Huguenot party Henri IV proceeds to Brittany, and threatens M. de Bouillon Festivities at Rennes Henri IV becomes melancholy He resolves to divorce Marguerite, and take a second wife European princesses Henry desires to marry la belle Gabrielle Sully expostulates Sully proposes a divorce to Marguerite The Duchesse de Beaufort intrigues to prevent the marriage of the King with Marie de Medicis She bribes Sillery Diplomacy of Sillery Gabrielle aspires to the throne of France Her death Marguerite consents to a divorce The Pope declares the nullity of her marriage Grief of the King at the death of Gabrielle Royal pleasures A new intrigue Mademoiselle d'Entragues Her tact Her character A love-messenger Value of a royal favourite Costly indulgences A practical rebuke Diplomacy of Mademoiselle d'Entragues The written promise Mademoiselle d'Entragues is created Marquise de Verneuil.
Marriages of Henri IV Marguerite de Valois Her character Her marriage with the King of Navarre Massacre of Saint Bartholomew Henri, Duc d'Anjou, elected sovereign of Poland Death of Charles IX Accession of Henri III Conspiracy of the Duc d'Alençon Revealed by Marguerite Henry of Navarre escapes from the French Court Henry of Navarre protests against his enforced oath Marguerite is imprisoned by her brother The Duc d'Alençon returns to his allegiance Marguerite joins her husband at Béarn Domestic discord Marriage-portion of Marguerite Court of Navarre Dupin insults the Queen of Navarre Catherine de Medicis induces Marguerite to return to France The Duc d'Alençon again revolts Marguerite arrests a royal courier She is banished with ignominy from the French Court She is deprived of her attendants Henry of Navarre refuses to receive her in the palace Marguerite returns to Agen Her licentiousness Agen is stormed and taken by the Marshal de Matignon Marguerite escapes to the fortress of Carlat The inhabitants of the town resolve to deliver her up to the French King She is made prisoner by the Marquis de Canillac, and conveyed to Usson She seduces the governor of the fortress Death of the Duc d'Alençon Poverty of Marguerite Accession of Henri IV He embraces the Catholic faith His dissipated habits The Duc de Bouillon heads the Huguenot party Henri IV proceeds to Brittany, and threatens M. de Bouillon Festivities at Rennes Henri IV becomes melancholy He resolves to divorce Marguerite, and take a second wife European princesses Henry desires to marry la belle Gabrielle Sully expostulates Sully proposes a divorce to Marguerite The Duchesse de Beaufort intrigues to prevent the marriage of the King with Marie de Medicis She bribes Sillery Diplomacy of Sillery Gabrielle aspires to the throne of France Her death Marguerite consents to a divorce The Pope declares the nullity of her marriage Grief of the King at the death of Gabrielle Royal pleasures A new intrigue Mademoiselle d'Entragues Her tact Her character A love-messenger Value of a royal favourite Costly indulgences A practical rebuke Diplomacy of Mademoiselle d'Entragues The written promise Mademoiselle d'Entragues is created Marquise de Verneuil.
The fortress of Usson, which had been a state prison under Louis XI, was demolished by Louis XIII, in 1634. Brantôme, Dames Illustres, Marguerite de France, Reine de Navarre, Dis. v. p. 275. L'Etoile, Journ. de Henri IV, vol. i. p. 233. Diane d'Andouins, Vicomtesse de Louvigni, dame de l'Escun, was the only daughter of Paul, Vicomte de Louvigni, Seigneur de l'Escun, and of Marguerite de Cauna.
Marguerite had scarcely resided a year at Usson when the death of the Duc d'Alençon deprived her of the last friend whom she possessed on earth; and not even the security that she derived from the impregnability of the fortress in which she had found an asylum could preserve her from great and severe suffering.
Under these circumstances, she had no alternative save to become once more a fugitive; and having, with considerable difficulty, succeeded in making her escape beyond the walls, she began to indulge a hope that she should yet baffle the devices of her enemy; she was soon, however, fated to be undeceived, for she had travelled only a few leagues when she was overtaken and captured by the Marquis de Canillac, who conveyed her to the fortress of Usson.
It was stated that the ex-Queen during her residence at Usson, where, as we have already seen, her career was one of the most degrading profligacy, had made a vow that should she ever be permitted to revisit Paris, she would support a certain number of monks who should daily sing the praises of the Deity; and she accordingly gave to the chapel attached to the convent the name of the Chapel of Praise, while the house itself was designated the Monastery of the Holy Trinity.
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