weaken

Mis à jour: 17 juillet 2026

She became the mistress of Francis I., and afterwards of his son, Henry II. Her influence over Henry was boundless; even the beauty and wit of Catherine de Medici could not weaken the King's attachment to her. He loaded her with favors, and in 1548 donated to her for life the Duchy of Valentinois. Upon the death of Henry, Madame de Valentinois was banished from the Court by Catherine.

Madame de (Marie-Madeleine Pioche de La Vergne) La Fayette - La Princesse De Clèves par Mme de La Fayette : Edited with Introduction and Notes

He was the first to give to the French Court that magnificence which afterwards made it the envy of all the Courts of Europe. In religion he pursued a double policy: while he severely persecuted the Protestants in France, he did all in his power to encourage the German Protestants and, in this way, to weaken the power of his old enemy, Charles V.

Madame de (Marie-Madeleine Pioche de La Vergne) La Fayette - La Princesse De Clèves par Mme de La Fayette : Edited with Introduction and Notes