5. Diane de Poitiers (September 3, 1499-April 25, 1566)
Diane de Poitiers was the longtime mistress of Henry II, the son of King Francis I of France. Initially serving in the court of Francis I, Diane served as Queen Claude’s lady-in-waiting, so she knew Henry as a young boy. A major player in the courts of both kings, Diane used her role as Henry’s mistress to gain power and influence, even out shadowing his queen, Catherine de Medici.
In 1525, Francis I was captured in the Battle of Pavia by Charles V. Francis had to send Charles his two young sons, Henry and Francis, as hostages in exchange for his freedom. Queen Claude had died, so Diane stood in for her and gave Henry a farewell kiss when he was sent to Spain as a prisoner. Henry was a young teenager when he first became enamored with Diane de Poitiers; she was nearly 20 years older than him, but that didn’t stop him from being completely devoted to her for the rest of his life.
When Henry married Catherine de Medici, Diane was already his mistress. She used his devotion to her to make Henry fulfill his duties in having a family with Catherine, having him consummate his marriage frequently. Even though their marriage was initially childless, Henry and Catherine eventually had ten children together. Diane even educated Henry and Catherine’s children herself. She used her role as the king’s mistress to gain influence and favors in the royal court, which won her many enemies, including the Queen herself. Even though Diane had no official position except for as the king’s mistress, she was sharp and intelligent, and Henry trusted her to write much of his official correspondence.
Henry’s devotion to Diane and the power he allowed his mistress to wield over the French court incurred the wrath of Queen Catherine, but as long as they were both alive, there was nothing that the Queen could do. When Henry died in a jousting accident in 1551, Diane’s fall from power was instant. Catherine became the Queen Mother and forced Diane to relinquish her estates and her position, banishing her from the court. Diane lived out the rest of her life in exile from the French court, where she died in 1566.