Marie Anne de Mailly, Duchesse
de Chateauroux, Mademoiselle de Monchy, (1717-1744)
Born 5 October 1717
Died 8 December 1744
Married 19 June 1734
Marquis Louis de La Tournelle, son of Marquis Roger de La
Tournelle and Charlotte du Deffand
Born 1728
Died 23 November 1740 Paris
Affaire with Louis XV, King of France 1715-1774, son of
Louis, Duc de Bourgogne and Princess Marie Adelaide de
Savoie
Born 15 February 1710 Versailles
Died 10 May 1774 Versailles
Mademoiselle de Monchy, at the age of sixteen, married the Marquis de
La Tournelle and became known as Madame de La Tournelle. In 1739 her eldest
sister, Madame de Mailly, became the mistress of King Louis XV but was
replaced by her other sister, Madame de Vintimille. In 1741
the latter died in childbirth and then it was to Madame de La Tournelle
the king turned.
Madame de La Tournelle was much prettier though far nastier than either
of her sisters and stated her terms before accepting the king, demanding
the position and title of 'maitresse en titre'. Later on she was created
Duchesse de Chateauroux and demanded a grand house in Paris, jewels and
a monthly income. Any children that might be born were to be legitimised.
Louis XV, deeply in love, accepted all her demands. Although she used and
abused the king, yet she was probably the great passion of his life.
In 1744 Louis XV, on her instigation, personally took command of his
army in the spring offensive in the War of the Austrian Succession. However,
as the king refused to take the queen, Madame de
Chateauroux was also left behind. After a while, without the king's
summons, she simply went to the front and the king was delighted.In August
of 1744 the king became seriously ill and it was
apparent he might die. To prepare himself, he knew he had to dismiss
his mistress and ask the queen to his side. When the people realised that
she had been dismissed, they threw rotting vegetables at her carriage and
jeered and abused her.
Madame de Chateauroux was shattered, shocked by the loss of her protector
and by the obvious hatred of the French. Screaming abuse, mobs surrounded
her house and, when she dared venture out, she was almost dragged out of
her carriage. Ill, she took to her bed. However, the king did not die and
as soon as possible returned to Versailles. Having no intention of changing
his ways, he sent for Madame de Chateauroux. It was December. Cold and
weakened by her long confinement, she rose too quickly from her sickbed,
caught a chill and collapsed with pneumonia. She died without ever seeing
Louis XV again.
Source: Leo van de Pas |
