Louise de Brézé

Diane would later become the mistress of Henry II of France, a role which gave her immense power and privileges.

[1] In the 1560s, the Duke and Duchess of Aumale expanded their land holdings in Normandy, buying the countship of Maulévrier, the barony of Bec-Crespin, and other estates.

The financial difficulties of Louise's nephew, Henri Robert de la Marck, gave the couple an opportunity to obtain land from Françoise's share of the Brézé inheritance.

"[3] However, the match gave the Guises the opportunity to strengthen their alliance with Diane, which thus ensured that they would remain in favor with the King.

[4][5] Louise was widowed after Claude was killed by a cannonball on 1 August 1573, during the Siege of La Rochelle.

Bird's-eye view of the Château d'Anet , published by François L'Anglois in the early 17th-century