buildings of the Cour Ovale , including the Porte Dorée , the southern entrance to the palace, and the Cour du Cheval Blanc , as well as the chapel of La Trinité . The gardens of the Château de Fontainebleau were breathtakingly beautiful. The gardens featured symmetrical and geometric planting parterres, plants in pots, fountains, a forest of pine trees brought from Provence, as well as the first artificial grotto in France.
The Château de Fontainebleau was the king’s jewel and an object of pride. François often came to stay at Fontainebleau, and he liked it so much that when he spoke of going there, he referred to it as “going home”. It was the king’s favorite royal residence.
Today the royal siblings mirrored each other in the colors of their clothing. François was dressed in a doublet of mulberry velvet with a snowy white slashing, black velvet Venetian pants, and a black taffeta shirt with a standing lace collar. His toque was mulberry velvet, plumed with one large, white ostrich feather. The sleeves of his doublet were covered with rubies and sapphires.
His sister Marguerite wore an extravagant French gown with a low square-shaped neckline and tight sleeves. The upper part of the gown was made from mulberry velvet with white slashing and the ample skirt from black velvet. The small skull-cap of mulberry velvet was splendidly embroidered with rubies and diamonds and set amidst her dark curls.
King François was reading a letter from his ambassador in France, Philippe de Chabot, seigneur de Brion, Count de Charny and de Buzançois, Admiral de Brion. His face was impenetrable as his eyes took in the contents of the letter. Marguerite realized that something awful had happened when she saw how François had angrily crumpled the sheet of paper.
Marguerite stared at him. “What happened, François?”
François and Marguerite were the children of Charles d’Orléans, Count d’Angoulême, and Louise de Savoie and great-great-grandchildren of King Charles V. They had always been very close and addressed each other by the first names. They adored each other.
They both were highly cultured, erudite, and learned people. François and Marguerite were proficient in Latin, Hebrew, Spanish, and Italian, and read philosophy and theology. They were fascinated by Italian Renaissance art. Always eager to acquire new ideas, they supported many of the illustrious writers and thinkers of the Renaissance era. These two royal siblings together were responsible for the celebrated intellectual and cultural French court, both being outstanding figures of the French Renaissance. François was a true Renaissance man; Marguerite was a true Renaissance lady.
Being married to the unintelligent Charles, Duke d’Alençon, Marguerite had started establishing her own power and authority upon her brother’s ascension to the throne in 1515. She joined her brother at court and remained a close companion and friend to him. Indeed, Marguerite always served and actively supported the interests of King François I, assisted the interests of political and religious clients, as well as defended and protected her family and household. When François was taken prisoner in Italy, Marguerite was instrumental in securing his eventual release.
After the death of her first husband, Marguerite married Henri d’Albret, the King of Navarre. Marguerite spent much time at François’ court and remained an active and driving force behind many of her brother’s decisions. She was also interested in spiritual aspects in addition to political ones, especially in new religious movements. François always trusted his sister and was truly interested in her opinion on political matters.
King François sighed heavily. After what seemed an eternity, the King of France finally turned to face his sister. With a sidelong look of sorrow, he spoke. “Anne Boleyn is dead,” he announced.
“Finally dead,” Marguerite echoed, regret creeping into her
The Château de Fontainebleau was the king’s jewel and an object of pride. François often came to stay at Fontainebleau, and he liked it so much that when he spoke of going there, he referred to it as “going home”. It was the king’s favorite royal residence.
Today the royal siblings mirrored each other in the colors of their clothing. François was dressed in a doublet of mulberry velvet with a snowy white slashing, black velvet Venetian pants, and a black taffeta shirt with a standing lace collar. His toque was mulberry velvet, plumed with one large, white ostrich feather. The sleeves of his doublet were covered with rubies and sapphires.
His sister Marguerite wore an extravagant French gown with a low square-shaped neckline and tight sleeves. The upper part of the gown was made from mulberry velvet with white slashing and the ample skirt from black velvet. The small skull-cap of mulberry velvet was splendidly embroidered with rubies and diamonds and set amidst her dark curls.
King François was reading a letter from his ambassador in France, Philippe de Chabot, seigneur de Brion, Count de Charny and de Buzançois, Admiral de Brion. His face was impenetrable as his eyes took in the contents of the letter. Marguerite realized that something awful had happened when she saw how François had angrily crumpled the sheet of paper.
Marguerite stared at him. “What happened, François?”
François and Marguerite were the children of Charles d’Orléans, Count d’Angoulême, and Louise de Savoie and great-great-grandchildren of King Charles V. They had always been very close and addressed each other by the first names. They adored each other.
They both were highly cultured, erudite, and learned people. François and Marguerite were proficient in Latin, Hebrew, Spanish, and Italian, and read philosophy and theology. They were fascinated by Italian Renaissance art. Always eager to acquire new ideas, they supported many of the illustrious writers and thinkers of the Renaissance era. These two royal siblings together were responsible for the celebrated intellectual and cultural French court, both being outstanding figures of the French Renaissance. François was a true Renaissance man; Marguerite was a true Renaissance lady.
Being married to the unintelligent Charles, Duke d’Alençon, Marguerite had started establishing her own power and authority upon her brother’s ascension to the throne in 1515. She joined her brother at court and remained a close companion and friend to him. Indeed, Marguerite always served and actively supported the interests of King François I, assisted the interests of political and religious clients, as well as defended and protected her family and household. When François was taken prisoner in Italy, Marguerite was instrumental in securing his eventual release.
After the death of her first husband, Marguerite married Henri d’Albret, the King of Navarre. Marguerite spent much time at François’ court and remained an active and driving force behind many of her brother’s decisions. She was also interested in spiritual aspects in addition to political ones, especially in new religious movements. François always trusted his sister and was truly interested in her opinion on political matters.
King François sighed heavily. After what seemed an eternity, the King of France finally turned to face his sister. With a sidelong look of sorrow, he spoke. “Anne Boleyn is dead,” he announced.
“Finally dead,” Marguerite echoed, regret creeping into her
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