Anne de Graville

She hailed from one of the most prominent families in the country and overcame scandal to become a well-respected literary figure at the royal court.

Because of her marriage, Anne incurred her father’s disappointment and wrath; he sued the couple, leading to lengthy lawsuits and disinheritance.

The chaplain of Louis de Graville intervened to reconcile Anne with her father in return for a renunciation of her inheritance, a fixed sum of money and an annual pension.

After 1518 Anne and Pierre were awarded their part of her father’s possessions, including domains in Normandy and central France, a grand house in Paris, and most importantly, a large portion of Louis Malet de Graville’s extensive library, which she would further develop with her own acquisitions.

[6] Queen Claude's court was notable for its austere and respectable modes of life which contrasted with the promiscuous ways of her husband.

[4][8] This work, produced probably before 1525, is the major reason for Anne de Graville's inclusion in the history of French literature.

[10] The text of the poems are preserved in a single manuscript housed at the French National Library (Bibliothèque nationale de France) in Paris with the shelf mark of français 2253.

Anne's story tells of the amorous rivalry between Palamon and Arcite, former best friends, who both wish to earn the hand of Emily, the younger sister of Hippolyta, queen of the Amazons.

Included in these manuscripts are: After her death around 1540, her daughter Jeanne of Balsac-Entragues, married to Claude d'Urfé, inherited her collection of books, enhancing considerably the library of her famously bibliophilic husband.