2. Diane de Poitiers
Diane de Poitiers was the mistress of Henry II of France. She became the lifelong companion of the king despite his marriage to Catherine de Medici, with whom she shared a familial bloodline. A significant age difference existed between the couple, but that did not stop their relationship. Henry bestowed many titles and upon her along with extensive gifts and riches. The king went so far as to bestow the Crown Jewels upon her when they are almost always given to the queen. Another famous symbol of their love, a design of their interlocking initials (H&D), can still be found across the architecture in France today. She reportedly held power over the king in almost every way possible.
As much as Henry loved Diane, her power over him only lasted as long as he was alive. When he suffered an injury while jousting, his rightful queen decided she had had enough. Though her husband begged to see his mistress, Catherine would not allow it. Henry died shortly thereafter without saying goodbye to his true love. Catherine removed Diane from the court and sent her into virtual exile where she lived out the rest of her days in anonymity. Despite Catherine’s efforts to remove Diane from the historical narrative, the fact that there are still testaments to the king’s love for her that still exist 500 years later.