View source for Louise de La Vallière

{{Short description|Mistress of Louis XIV (1644–1710)}}
{{for|the 1922 film|Louise de Lavallière (film)}}
{{Use British English|date=June 2024}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Infobox person
| name               = Louise de La Vallière
| honorific_suffix   = Duchess de La Vallière<br>Duchess of Vaujours
| image              = La Duchesse de la Vallière Pierre Mignard.jpg
| caption            = Portrait by [[Pierre Mignard]] I
| other_names        = Mademoiselle de La Vallière<br />Sœur Louise de la Miséricorde
| birth_name         = Françoise-Louise de La Blaume Le Blanc
| birth_date         = {{birth date|1644|8|6|df=y}}
| birth_place        = [[Tours]], [[Kingdom of France]]
| death_date         = {{death date and age|1710|6|6|1644|8|6|df=y}}
| death_place        = Paris, Kingdom of France
| burial_place       = Cemetery of the [[Carmelite]] convent in [[Notre-Dame-des-Champs, Paris|Notre-Dame-des-Champs]], Paris
| known_for          = [[Royal mistress|Mistress]] of [[Louis XIV]]
| title              = [[Duchy of La Vallière|Duchess de La Vallière]], Duchess of [[Vaujours]]
| successor          = [[Marie Anne de Bourbon]]
| children           = 5, including<br />[[Marie Anne de Bourbon]]<br />[[Louis, Count of Vermandois]]
| parents            = Laurent de la Blaume Le Blanc de La Vallière<br />Marie-Françoise Le Provost de la Coutelaye
}}
'''Françoise-Louise de La Baume Le Blanc, Duchess of La Vallière and''' '''Vaujours''' (6 August 1644 – 6 June 1710) was a [[French nobility|French noblewoman]] and the [[Royal mistress|mistress]] of King [[Louis XIV]] of France from 1661 to 1667.
La Vallière joined the [[royal court]] in 1661 as [[maid of honour|maid-of-honour]] to [[Henrietta of England]] and soon became Louis XIV's mistress. Two of her five children by the King, [[Marie Anne de Bourbon|Marie-Anne, Mademoiselle de Blois]] ([[Princess of Conti]] by marriage) and [[Louis, Count of Vermandois]], [[Infant mortality|survived infancy]] and were [[Legitimacy (family law)|legitimised]]. She was an important participant in the court's intellectual life, interested in the [[The arts|arts]], [[literature]], and [[philosophy]].
In 1666, she was replaced as mistress by [[Françoise-Athénaïs de Rochechouart, Marquise de Montespan|Madame de Montespan]], but created a ''[[suo jure]]'' duchess and invested with lands. After an illness in 1670, La Vallière turned to religion, and wrote a popular [[Christian devotional literature|devotional book]]. In 1674, she entered a [[Carmelites|Carmelite]] [[convent]] in [[Paris]] where she died in 1710.
== Ancestry and early life ==
=== Family ===
Françoise''-Louise'' {{Interlanguage link|La Baume Le Blanc de La Vallière family|lt=de La Baume Le Blanc|fr|Famille de La Baume Le Blanc de La Vallière}}, Mademoiselle de La Vallière was born on 6 August 1644{{Sfn|Fraser|2006|p=71|loc=}} at the {{Interlanguage link|Hôtel de la Crouzille|fr}} (or Hôtel de la Vallière) in [[Tours]] as the daughter of Laurent de La Baume Le Blanc,<ref name=":4">{{Cite EB1911|wstitle=La Vallière, Louise Françoise de|volume=16|pages=290–291|short=1}}</ref> ''[[Seigneur]]'' of La Vallière (1611–1651) and his wife, Marie-''Françoise'' Le Provost de La Coutelaye (died 1686).<ref name=":1">{{Cite book |last=Le Brun |first=Eugène |url=https://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/bpt6k57279705.image |title=Les Ancêtres de Louise de La Vallière. Généalogie de la maison de La Baume Le Blanc |publisher=H. Champion |year=1903 |location=Paris |pages=88–94 |language=fr |trans-title=The Ancestors of Louise de La Vallière: Genealogy of the House of La Blaume Le Blanc |access-date=2024-06-03}}</ref> She had an older brother, Jean-François, later [[Marquess|Marquis]] of La Vallière (1642–1676).''{{Sfn|Lair|1907|p=8}}''
In La Vallière's paternal family, [[Catholic Church|Catholicism]] and [[Royalist|royalism]] were important values,''<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Conley |first=John J. |title=Louise-Françoise de la Baume Le Blanc, marquise de La Vallière (1644—1710) |url=https://iep.utm.edu/lavallie/ |access-date=2024-06-13 |website=Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy |language=}}</ref>''{{Sfn|Lair|1907|p=2}}{{Sfn|Petitfils|2011|p=|loc=Chapter 1}} many relatives chose an [[ecclesiastical]] or military career.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":0" />{{Sfn|Lair|1907|p=4}} Her maternal family belonged to the ''[[Nobles of the Robe|noblesse de robe]]''.<ref name=":0" /> Her father served as [[governor]] of the [[Château d'Amboise|Castle of Amboise]]<ref name=":4" /><ref name=":1" /> where she occasionally visited him.{{Sfn|Huertas|1998|p=18}} He was a [[Catholic devotions|devout]] Catholic who practiced [[penance]] and [[Charity (practice)|charity]],''{{Sfn|Petitfils|2011|p=|loc=Chapter 1}}'' and owned a library of forty-four [[folio]]s, extensive for the time.{{Sfn|Petitfils|2011|p=10}} In March 1651, during [[the Fronde]], he held Amboise against the forces of the revolt and remained loyal to King [[Louis XIV (board game)|Louis XIV]].{{Sfn|Lair|1907|p=|pp=18–19}}
=== Childhood ===
[[File:Gilles de La Baume Le Blanc de La Vallière.jpg|left|thumb|Gilles de La Baume Le Blanc de La Vallière later in life, as bishop.|alt=Black-and-white bust portrait of a middle-aged-man in an oval frame. He is wearing a cassock (buttoned-up clerical coat) and a large cross in his neck on a band. On his head, he has a black zucchetto, the small, hemispherical, form-fitting skullcap of Catholic clerics. Under him, the coat of arms (depicting a leopard) of his family is displayed.]]
La Vallière and her brother were raised at the family seat, the [[Castle of La Vallière]].{{Sfn|Petitfils|2011|p=|loc=Chapter 1}} Their [[uncle]], Gilles de La Vallière (born 1616) was responsible for their education. La Vallière was instructed by the {{Interlanguage link|Ursuline Convent of Tours|lt=Ursuline nuns in Tours|fr|Couvent des Ursulines de Tours}}, where two of her aunts lived,<ref name=":1" />{{Sfn|Huertas|1998|p=14}} in reading, grammar, [[musical composition]], and [[public speaking]].<ref name=":0" /> The family owned horses, and she may have gained her love of [[equitation]] then; her limping in later life may have been caused by a horse riding accident from this time.{{Sfn|Huertas|1998|p=|pp=14–15}}
Laurent de La Baume Le Blanc died in the summer of 1651,{{Sfn|Lair|1907|p=8}} leaving his family in debt. His widow decided to reclaim her [[dowry]] and [[dower]] to finance a new marriage, which would have meant relinquishing [[Legal guardian|guardianship]] of her children and depriving them of their maternal inheritance. Safeguarding the interest of the children, La Vallière's paternal family persuaded Françoise Le Provost to settle the debts and accept the furnishings of the family home in place of her dower. She  [[Renting|rented]] the furniture back to her children with an interest.{{Sfn|Lair|1907|p=9}}{{Sfn|Lair|1907|p=|pp=9,20}} What happened to La Vallière at this time is unknown, but she may have been sent to her aunts’ convent.{{Sfn|Petitfils|2011|p=|loc=Chapter 2}}
=== Life in the household of Gaston, Duke of Orléans ===
In March 1655, Françoise Le Provost married Jacques de Courtavel, Marquis of Saint-Rémy'', maître d’hôtel'' ([[butler]]) of the [[exile]]d [[Gaston, Duke of Orléans]] (uncle of Louis XIV).{{Sfn|Lair|1907|p=|pp=17, 20}} Saint-Rémy had a daughter of La Vallière's age, Catherine,{{Sfn|Lair|1907|p=20}} and the couple had a third daughter together.{{Sfn|Lair|1907|p=51}} The family lived at the Duke's household in [[Château of Blois|Blois]].<ref name=":4" />{{Sfn|Lair|1907|p=17}}{{Sfn|Petitfils|2011|p=|loc=Chapter 3}} La Vallière and her [[Stepsibling|stepsister]] became ''demoiselles de compagnie'' ([[lady's companion|lady's companions]]) to the Duke's younger daughters{{Sfn|Lair|1907|p=|pp=18–19}} and met the also-exiled ''[[Anne Marie Louise d'Orléans, Duchess of Montpensier|Grande Mademoiselle]]'', paternal half-sister of the princesses.{{Sfn|Huertas|1998|p=22|pp=}} La Vallière befriended Anne-Constance de Montalais, another ''demoiselle de compagnie'', who remained her confidante for years.
{{Multiple image
| image1            = Frosne - Marguerite de Vallois.jpg
| caption1          = Engraved portrait of [[Marguerite Louise d'Orléans|Marguerite-Louise, Mademoiselle d’Orléans]] by [[Jean Frosne]] from the 1660s.
| image2            = Élisabeth (Isabelle) d'Orléans, Duchess of Guise by Beaubrun.jpg
| caption2          = [[Élisabeth Marguerite d'Orléans|Élisabeth-Marguerite (or Isabelle), Mademoiselle d’Alençon]] around 1670 on a portrait by Henri and [[Charles Beaubrun]].
| image3            = Drawing of Francesca (Maddalena) d'Orléans as Duchess of Savoy.jpg
| caption3          = Miniature portrait of [[Françoise Madeleine d'Orléans|Françoise-Madeleine, Mademoiselle de Valois]] by Giuseppe Lavy, from between 1758 and 1766.
| header            = The three daughters of Gaston, Duke of Orléans from his second marriage
| align             = center
| alt1              = Bust portrait of a young woman in an ornate frame. She has dark, curly hair, pinned up, with some strands in her forehead. Her face is oval-shaped, with narrow eyes, a small mouth, thin eyebrows, a long nose, a low forehead, and a round chin. She is wearing pearls around her neck and in her hair. The dress is made of a heavy material, with large sleeve that leave the shoulders visible. The excessive material of the sleeves are pinned up with large broches, with a third one at the middle of the neckline, which is also embellished with three lines of perls. There are two more vertical lines of pearls visible on her upper body. Behind her is a heavy curtain, pulled away to reveal and a background scene of a hunt, with men on horses, leading dogs. The engraving is inscribed in French: ‘Marguerite de Vallois, Fille de Gaston Fils de France Duc D’orleans, et de Marguerite de Lorraine, grande Princesse de Toscane, nasquit a Paris le 13e d'octobre mil six cent quarante et huiet’ (Marguerite of Valois, daughter of Gaston, fils de France, Duke of Orléans and of Marguerite of Lorraine, Grand Princess of Tuscany, born in Paris the 13th of October 1648).
| alt2              = Bust portrait of a young woman, seated. She is wearing a yellow dress with puffy sleeves extending just below her elbow, where it is established with little, faint blue ribbons. Its upper body is embellished with pearls and small black gems. She has her hands crossed in her lap. She is wearing a pearl necklace; her shoulders are relieved by the cut of her dress, on which there is piece of see-through material, arranged in the shape of a shall in the middle, with a small faint blue ribbon on it Her dark, curly hair blends into the black background; she is wearing pearls in it as well as in her ear. She has a low forehead, small eyes, a larger nose, a small mouth, a round chin, and an ova-shaped face.
| alt3              = Black-and-white bust portrait of a young woman or girl. She has a small, oval face, with a prominent nose, almond-shaped eyes, thin, dark eyebrows, a small mouth, a high forehead, and a round chin.  Her curly hair is pinned up, with some strands over her forehead and a line of pearls on top. She also has pearls around her neck and in her ear. The neckline of her dress is embellished with pearls and gemstones.
}}
Lair says the education of girls in the Orléans court was neglected, while Conley claims that they were taught painting, music, [[etiquette]], and equitation, as well as literature and philosophy by the Duke's [[almoner]], [[Armand Jean le Bouthillier de Rancé|Armand-Jean le Bouthillier de Rancé]]. La Vallière may have been introduced to [[Neo-Aristotelianism (literature)|neo-Aristotelian]] thought by Rancé.<ref name=":0" /> Huertas argues that La Vallière had to receive a good education based on her exceptional [[spelling]].{{Sfn|Huertas|1998|p=27|pp=}} Petitfils sees her education as more rudimentary, being only in ‘reading, prayer, [...] [[sewing]], and [[embroidery]]’, but agrees that she was well-trained in the necessary skills for a career at court (such as dancing and horse riding).{{Sfn|Petitfils|2011|p=|loc=Chapter 3}} King [[Louis XIV]] was an important topic of conversation among the girls due to plans that the eldest Orléans princess would marry him.{{Sfn|Petitfils|2011|p=|loc=Chapter 2}} In August 1659, the King visited Blois; this was the first time La Vallière saw him.{{Sfn|Huertas|1998|p=25|pp=}} Around the same time, Jacques de Bragenlonge, son of the Duke's intendant, fell in love with her. Their letters were discovered by her mother, who forbade her from writing to him.{{Sfn|Huertas|1998|p=|pp=26–27}} She had a ‘good reputation’; the Duke once said that La Vallière certainly did not take part in mischief, as ‘she [was] too sensible for that’. Later in life, she attributed the ‘beginning of [her] fall’ to the self-assurance she gained from his praise.{{Sfn|Huertas|1998|p=27|pp=}}
In February 1660, the Duke died and his widow, [[Marguerite of Lorraine]], moved the household to the [[Luxembourg Palace]] in Paris.{{Sfn|Huertas|1998|p=|pp=26–27}}{{Sfn|Lair|1907|p=41}} The Orléans daughters and their friends spent their time with [[Ball (dance event)|balls]] and [[Festival|feasts]] organised by the ''Grande Mademoiselle''.{{Sfn|Huertas|1998|p=33|pp=}} In August 1660, La Vallière was present at the ''[[Joyous Entry|joyeuse entrée]]'' of Louis and his new wife, [[Maria Theresa of Spain]], into Paris.{{Sfn|Petitfils|2011|p=|loc=Chapter 6}}
== Secret lover of Louis XIV ==
=== Background ===
[[File:Henriette Stuart d'Angleterre in circa 1662.jpg|alt=Black-and-white engraving, face of a young woman. She is wearing large pearls on her neck and a gown with a deep cleavage. Her hair is fashioned into curls.|thumb|Madame on an anonymous engraving from around 1662.]]
In April 1661, the King's younger brother, [[Philippe I, Duke of Orléans|Philippe]], the new Duke of Orléans (‘Monsieur’), married [[Henrietta of England]] (‘Madame’). Madame's household was organised by Madame de Choisy, Jeanne de Bélesbat de Hurault,{{Sfn|Petitfils|2011|p=|loc=Chapter 7}} a distant relative of La Vallière and member of the former Orléans household.{{Sfn|Huertas|1998|p=|pp=26–27}}{{Sfn|Lair|1907|p=41}}{{Sfn|Huertas|1998|p=|pp=35–36}} She placed La Vallière and Montalais in the new Orléans household as ''[[Maid of honour|filles d’honneur]]''.{{Sfn|Lair|1907|pp=48–49}} La Vallière and her brother (who was embarking on a military career) had no money, but nobody was willing to lend to [[Minor (law)|minors]]. They petitioned a [[judge]] who instructed their mother and [[stepfather]] to borrow money for them.{{Sfn|Lair|1907|pp=|p=51}} La Vallière joined the Orléans household in the [[Tuileries Palace]] after the wedding.{{Sfn|Lair|1907|pp=|p=52, 54}}{{Sfn|Huertas|1998|p=36|pp=}} On 19 April, they moved to the [[Royal court|court]] in [[Palace of Fontainebleau|Fontainebleau]].<ref name=":4" />{{Sfn|Lair|1907|pp=|p=54}} The King's attendants courted the maids-of-honour of Madame; La Vallière's suitor was [[Armand de Gramont, Comte de Guiche|Armand de Gramont, Count of Guiche]].{{Sfn|Lair|1907|pp=|p=62}}[[File:Detail of Marie Thérèse d'Autriche by Nocret.jpg|left|thumb|Queen Maria Theresa in her [[regalia]], on a painting by [[Jean Nocret]] from around 1660.|alt=A young woman seated outside, by a large gray marble column, under a heavy red curtain that is pulled to the side. She is sitting on a red velvet chair. She is wearing a heavy dress and mantle made of blue velvet, embroidered everywhere with large golden fleurs-de-lis. Her shoulder is left partly visible, but is partly covered by white lace. She is wering a large golden broche with a black stone, and a long white pearl hanging from it. Her dress is lined with ermine. On one hand, she is wearing an off-white glove embellished with small red feathers at the elbow, holding the other glove. She has an oval face with a small double chin, round eyes, and small lips. She has light blonde hair, curled.]]
The King and Madame grew close. Louis’ wife Maria Theresa, his mother, [[Anne of Austria]], and Monsieur all disapproved.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Hillemand |first=P. |url=https://www.biusante.parisdescartes.fr/sfhm/hsm/HSMx1975_6x009x002/HSMx1975_6x009x002x0115.pdf |title=À propos de la mort d'Henriette d'Angleterre Madame, Duchesse d'Orléans |date=1975-03-15 |publisher=Société Française d'Histoire de la Médecine |page=117 |language=fr |trans-title=On the Subject of the Death of Henrietta of England, Madame, Duchess of Orléans}}</ref>{{Sfn|Lair|1907|pp=55–58|p=}} [[Rumor|Rumours]] spread that the King and his [[Sibling-in-law|sister-in-law]] were in love.<ref name=":0" /> The King may have been advised to pretend to be in love with others,<ref name=":4" /><ref name=":0" /> or they may have decided to do so together with Madame.{{Sfn|Lair|1907|pp=|p=59}} Huertas and Petitfils suggest that the ploy was Henrietta's idea to deceive the [[Queen mother|Queen Mother]].{{Sfn|Huertas|1998|p=40|pp=}}{{Sfn|Petitfils|2011|loc=Chapter 9}} [[Olympia Mancini, Countess of Soissons]], assisted them.{{Sfn|Petitfils|2011|p=|loc=Chapter 9}} Henrietta may have chosen the [[decoy]]s herself, including La Vallière and [[Bonne de Pons d'Heudicourt|Bonne de Pons d’Heudicourt]].{{Sfn|Petitfils|2011|p=|loc=Chapter 9}}
The King fell in love with La Vallière. She reciprocated his feelings and probably believed them to have been sincere from the beginning.<ref name=":4" /><ref name=":0" /> They exchanged letters through {{Interlanguage link|Jacques-Louis de Beringhen|fr|4=de}}, the King's ''premier écuyer'' (‘first [[squire]]’).{{Sfn|Petitfils|2011|p=|loc=Chapter 9}} Their sexual relationship started around the end of July 1661, after about six weeks of courtship.{{Sfn|Lair|1907|pp=|p=59}}{{Sfn|Petitfils|2011|p=|loc=Chapter 9}}{{Sfn|Fraser|2006|p=74|loc=}} The Queen Mother noticed that her son neglected religious practice and around mid-July discovered the identity of La Vallière. She reminded Louis of his [[duty]] to his country and God, asking him to hide his feelings for La Vallière from his wife. Louis did not end his relationship but promised to conduct it secretly.{{Sfn|Lair|1907|pp=|p=67}}[[File:Anne of Austria - Versailles, MV2165.jpg|thumb|Portrait of Anne of Austria from around 1660 from the workshop of Henri and Charles Beaubrun, after an original by [[Pierre Mignard]].|alt=Middle-aged woman with gray hair in front of a dark brown background. She is wearing a simple black gown, her shoulder covered with white cloth. She is wearing a few large pearls in her ear, on a broche, and around her neck. Her hair is curled and under a simple, long blck veil that extends in a triangle onto her tall forehead. She has a prominent nose, grayish blue eyes, small lips, and a doble chin.]]La Vallière was described as ‘[[Innocence|innocent]]’,<ref name=":4" /> ‘[[Deference|submissive]]’, ‘natural[ly] [[Modesty|modest]]’,{{Sfn|Fraser|2006|p=73|loc=}} ‘[[Sincerity|sincere]]’, even ‘[[Naivety|naïve]]’, different from the women Louis had known,{{Sfn|Lair|1907|pp=|p=61}} but fitting contemporary feminine ideals.{{Sfn|Fraser|2006|p=73|loc=}} She was not [[Flirting|flirtatious]] and did not act out of [[self-interest]],<ref name=":4" /> exhibiting an ‘absolute [[loyalty]]’ to the King.{{Sfn|Lair|1907|pp=|p=42}} She was described as tall, slim, and [[Gracefulness|graceful]] despite her limp, with blue eyes, fine,{{Sfn|Lair|1907|pp=|p=42}} silver-[[blond]] hair, and a ‘beautiful’ voice.{{Sfn|Lair|1907|pp=60–61|p=}} [[Antonia Fraser|Fraser]] suggests that La Vallière refrained from pursuing material benefits through her relationship because she needed to conceptualise it as ‘pure’ or ‘holy’ to fit it into her religious [[worldview]].{{Sfn|Fraser|2006|p=73|loc=}}
In his [[memoir]]s, {{Interlanguage link|Louis-Henri de Loménie de Brienne|fr}} claims to have been in love with La Vallière, not knowing about her affair. The King saw them when he was painting La Vallière. Brienne complimented her appearance to him, which embarrassed her. Later, discovering Louis and La Vallière together, he understood the situation. Louis then questioned him about his feelings and asked for his painting of La Vallière; Brienne promised never to talk to her again.{{Sfn|Lair|1907|pp=43–45|p=}} However, by the time this story supposedly happened, Brienne had probably already heard about the King's affair from the Queen Mother.{{Sfn|Lair|1907|pp=|p=68}}
=== First years of the relationship ===
[[File:Description-de-l'entree-Du-Roy-et-de-la-Reyne-Paris MG 1114.tif|left|thumb|Engraved portrait of Louis XIV by [[Abraham van Diepenbeeck]] and Adriaen Millaert from 1660, commemorating his wedding with Maria Theresa of Spain.]]
[[Nicolas Fouquet]], [[Superintendent of Finances|superintendent of finances]] noticed that the King was neglecting his religious and administrative duties. He learned La Vallière's identity by 27 June{{Sfn|Fraser|2006|p=72|loc=}} through his network of spies. He wanted to establish a political relationship with the new [[favourite]]{{Sfn|Petitfils|2011|p=|loc=Chapter 10}} and sent her a letter complimenting her appearance and offering a [[Bribery|bribe]],{{Sfn|Fraser|2006|p=74|loc=}} which she refused. He then attempted to talk to her. La Vallière informed the King, who seems to have believed that Fouquet tried to seduce her. This probably added to his resentment against Fouquet, whose vast fortune, probably [[Embezzlement|embezzled]], he envied.{{Sfn|Petitfils|2011|p=|loc=Chapter 10}} In September, Fouquet was arrested and imprisoned until his death in 1680.{{Sfn|Lair|1907|pp=72–75|p=}}{{Sfn|Fraser|2010|pp=70–75|p=}}
La Vallière grew isolated because of her relationship, as Madame resented her for it.{{Sfn|Petitfils|2011|p=|loc=Chapter 10}} The devotion of the King for La Vallière was strengthened in October 1661, when he had a conflict with his wife who supported her father, [[Philip IV of Spain]] in a diplomatic conflict.{{Sfn|Petitfils|2011|p=|loc=Chapter 10}}{{Sfn|Fraser|2010|pp=|p=78}} If the Orléans household was established separately from the court, the King regularly dined there, probably to see La Vallière.{{Sfn|Petitfils|2011|p=|loc=Chapter 10}}{{Sfn|Lair|1907|pp=76–77|p=}}{{Sfn|Lair|1907|pp=|p=81}} La Vallière grew closer with Montalais. According to [[Madame de La Fayette]], a contemporary who later wrote a fictionalised biography of Madame, the King disapproved, considering Montalais to be a ‘schemer’.{{Sfn|Lair|1907|pp=83|p=}} He seems to have been jealous of any close relationship La Vallière had.{{Sfn|Petitfils|2011|p=|loc=Chapter 11}} He disliked her mother and rarely permitted them to see each other.{{Sfn|Lair|1907|p=|pp=310–311}}[[File:Louis XIV MET DP832733.jpg|thumb|Engraved portrait of Louis XIV from 1664 by [[Robert Nanteuil]], after a painting by Pierre Mignard.]]
During [[Lent]] 1662, a guest preacher, [[Jacques-Bénigne Bossuet]] delivered a series of [[sermon]]s criticising the King's behaviour through [[Bible|biblical]] examples.{{Sfn|Fraser|2006|p=|loc=|pp=85–96}} In late February, Louis questioned La Vallière about an alleged [[affair]] between Madame and the Count of Guiche, but she refused to answer.<ref name=":4" />{{Sfn|Petitfils|2011|p=|loc=Chapter 11}}{{Sfn|Lair|1907|pp=|p=84}}  After their argument, troubled by Bossuet's sermons,{{Sfn|Fraser|2006|p=81|loc=}} she fled the [[Tuileries Palace|Tuileries]] for the [[Augustinian nuns|Augustinian]] Convent of Sainte-Pélerine in [[Chaillot]].{{Sfn|Petitfils|2011|p=|loc=Chapter 11}}{{Sfn|Lair|1907|pp=|p=76}} The King was informed during an audience with Spanish envoys, rushed to end the talks, and searched for her personally amid fears that his wife would learn of his affair because of La Vallière's disappearance.{{Sfn|Petitfils|2011|p=|loc=Chapter 11}}{{Sfn|Lair|1907|pp=|p=85}} La Fayette claims that Madame and Monsieur were reluctant to admit La Vallière back into their household, but she was permitted to stay.{{Sfn|Lair|1907|pp=86|p=}} The King's affair became public when he did not take [[Eucharist in the Catholic Church|communion]] on [[Easter]]. His failure to participate in the Eucharist had already been noted, but when he did not receive the [[sacrament]] on Easter (which all Catholics were commanded to do), it caused a ‘scandal’. Since people who were ‘living in sin’, such as committing [[adultery]], could not receive the Eucharist, courtiers became aware that Louis was conducting a sexual affair.{{Sfn|Fraser|2006|p=79|loc=}}[[File:Olympia Mancini by Mignard.png|thumb|Undated contemporary portrait of Olympia Mancini, Countess of Soissons by [[Pierre Mignard]].|left|alt=Bust portrait of a younger middle-aged woman. She has her greyish-blonde, possibly powdered, hair curled up on top of her hair, with pearls braided into it. She has a high forehead and long, narrow, brown eyes. She has a slight double chin, small, red lips, a long, prominent nose. She is wearing pearls around her neck. Her gown is made of a heavy, silvery-white material, mebroidered with golden floral motifs. It also has some lace at its low neckline and a small broche with pearls.]]
In March 1662, [[Olympia Mancini, Countess of Soissons]] conspired with the Count of Guiche and {{Interlanguage link|François-René Crespin du Bec de Vardes|lt=François-René Crespin du Bec, Marquess of Vardes|fr|François-René Crespin du Bec|de|François du Bec Crespin}}{{Sfn|Fraser|2010|pp=|p=89}} to replace La Vallière with someone she could control. They sent an [[Anonymity|anonymous]] letter to the Queen informing her of her husband's [[adultery]] and accusing La Vallière of trying to undermine her position.<ref name=":4" />{{Sfn|Lair|1907|pp=88–90|p=}} The message was intercepted and given to the King, who exiled Guiche.{{Sfn|Fraser|2010|pp=|p=96}} In the summer of 1662, while he was in [[Château de Saint-Germain-en-Laye|Saint-Germain-en-Laye]], Soissons drew the King's attention to Anne-Lucie de La Mothe-Houdancourt.{{Sfn|Lair|1907|pp=|p=102}}{{Sfn|Petitfils|2011|p=|loc=Chapter 13}} She was famous for her beauty and for not granting sexual favours to her admirers; the King pursued her for some time, but Soisson's attempt failed.{{Sfn|Petitfils|2011|p=|loc=Chapter 13}}
In 1663, Louis gave a pension to La Vallière's brother, the Marquis of La Vallière, married him to a wealthy heiress,{{Sfn|Lair|1907|pp=117–118|p=}} and put him in charge of a [[cavalry]] unit despite his lack of experience.{{Sfn|Petitfils|2011|p=|loc=Chapter 20}} After this public show of favour, in July 1663, Soissons and Madame informed the Queen of the King's affair;{{Sfn|Lair|1907|pp=121–122|p=}} Maria Theresa was devastated and the King furious.{{Sfn|Petitfils|2011|p=|loc=Chapter 14}} Fraser and Petitfils argue that Maria Theresa had to have already suspected her husband's infidelity:{{Sfn|Petitfils|2011|p=|loc=Chapter 14}}{{Sfn|Fraser|2006|p=78|loc=}} in 1662, while giving birth to her second child, she saw La Vallière pass through the room, and said in Spanish, ‘this maiden [...] is the one the King wants’.{{Sfn|Fraser|2006|p=78|loc=}}{{Sfn|Lair|1907|pp=119–120|p=}}
=== First pregnancy and aftermath ===
In summer 1663, La Vallière became pregnant.{{Sfn|Lair|1907|pp=|p=27}} In late August, the King left on a [[military campaign]], and his [[Chief minister of France|chief minister]], [[Jean-Baptiste Colbert]], transmitted letters between the couple. When Louis returned in October, La Vallière left Madame's service and the King bought her the small Palais Brion near the [[Palais-Royal]]. Anxious to hide her condition, she never left the house and received guests in bed.{{Sfn|Lair|1907|pp=|p=125}} She suffered from [[Headache|headaches]] and sometimes lost her sight. Colbert arranged for the child to be raised by his servants, Guy Focart Beauchamp and Clémence Pré (a married couple),{{Sfn|Petitfils|2011|p=|loc=Chapter 15}} who were told that it was an [[Legitimacy (family law)|illegitimate]] child of Colbert's brother. On 19 December 1663, at around three in the morning, La Vallière gave birth to a son. At six, the physician, Dr Boucher (who also delivered the Queen's children){{Sfn|Petitfils|2011|p=|loc=Chapter 10}} took him to a [[carriage]] with the Beauchamps who transported him to [[Saint-Leu-Saint-Gilles de Paris|Saint-Leu]]. He was [[Baptism|christened]] Charles, registered as the son of  ‘Monsieur de Lincourt’ and ‘Élisabeth de Beux’, with Beauchamp and his wife as godparents.{{Sfn|Lair|1907|pp=125–126|p=}}{{Sfn|Fraser|2006|p=87|loc=}} He died in infancy,{{Sfn|Lair|1907|pp=|p=142}} within two years of his birth,{{Sfn|Fraser|2006|p=87|loc=}} probably of [[influenza]].{{Sfn|Petitfils|2011|p=|loc=Chapter 21}}
Despite precautions, the story spread. People speculated about La Vallière's disappearance and a talk the King had with Dr Boucher. La Vallière attended [[Midnight Mass|midnight mass]] on 24 December to counter rumours, but scorn was so great that she fled before the end of the service. Courtiers observed that she was ‘very pale’ and ‘much changed’, taking this as proof that she had given birth.{{Sfn|Lair|1907|pp=|p=127}} The situation was worsened by a story invented by Boucher: at the same time as he was helping La Vallière, another lady called for him. To explain his absence, he told her that he had been [[blindfold]]ed and taken to deliver the child of a masked woman. Courtiers said that this woman was La Vallière.{{Sfn|Petitfils|2011|p=|loc=Chapter 15}} After the birth, with Queen Maria Theresa aware of the affair, it was impossible to hide the relationship. La Vallière became isolated, as ladies who wanted to retain the favour of the queens did not associate with her. She continued living in the Palais Brion. As companion, she was assigned Claude-Marie du Guast d’Artigny{{Sfn|Petitfils|2011|p=|loc=Chapter 19}} who spied on her for the King.{{Sfn|Lair|1907|pp=129–130|p=}}[[File:La Fête-Les Plaisirs de l'Ile Enchantée-donnée par Louis XIV à Versailles-Théâtre.jpg|thumb|The theatre installed for the [[premiere]] of ''The Princess of Elid'' on a contemporary [[engraving]] by [[Israel Silvestre]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Réunion des Musées Nationaux-Grand Palais |url=https://www.photo.rmn.fr/C.aspx?VP3=CMS3&VF=Home |access-date=2022-05-25 |website=www.photo.rmn.fr}}</ref>]]
==== ''Les Plaisirs de l'île enchantée'' ====
Between 5 and 14 May 1664, Louis XIV hosted and personally planned a feast called ''[[The Pleasures of the Enchanted Island|Les Plaisirs de l’île enchantée]]'' (‘The Pleasures of the Enchanted Isle’) in Versailles (this was the first major event there).{{Sfn|Fraser|2006|p=|pp=88–89}} It was officially dedicated to Queen Maria Theresa and the Queen Mother, but secretly addressed to La Vallière.{{Sfn|Petitfils|2011|p=|loc=Chapter 16}} She was present and seated at the royal table,{{Sfn|Lair|1907|pp=|p=132}} even though she was no longer a member of the Orléans household.{{Sfn|Petitfils|2011|p=|loc=Chapter 16}} In June, Louis and his mother had an argument; the Queen Mother reminded her son of the ‘peril to his [[Salvation in Christianity|salvation]]’. Crying, he told his mother that he was ‘sometimes’ ashamed but that his ‘passions had become stronger than his reason’ and he was no longer trying to end his affair.{{Sfn|Petitfils|2011|p=|loc=Chapter 17}}{{Sfn|Fraser|2006|p=92|pp=}}
== ''Maîtresse-en-titre'' ==
Louis moved La Vallière back to court. His relationship with his mother deteriorated, and they briefly stopped talking.{{Sfn|Petitfils|2011|p=|loc=Chapter 17}}{{Sfn|Lair|1907|pp=|p=135}} In September, he took La Vallière to a reunion with his brother and sister-in-law in [[Villers-Cotterêts]]. Queen Maria Theresa could not attend because of her pregnancy, and she was distraught by his behaviour. According to the [[memoir]] of a contemporary, [[Françoise Bertaut de Motteville]], the King promised his wife that after the age of thirty (he was then twenty-six), he would be an ‘examplary husband’, but left with La Vallière.{{Sfn|Petitfils|2011|p=|loc=Chapter 17}}{{Sfn|Fraser|2006|p=92|pp=}}{{Sfn|Lair|1907|pp=|p=141}}[[File:Pierre Mignard - Retrato de Louise de la Vallière representada como Flora.jpg|thumb|La Vallière as [[Flora (mythology)|Flora]] on a portrait by Pierre Mignard.|left]]
Lair considers La Vallière as official favourite from the time of the festivities at Villers-Cotterêts. Courtiers now sought to be close to her. When they returned to [[Château de Vincennes|Vincennes]], the King took his mistress to the Queen Mother's salon to [[Card game|play cards]] with Monsieur and Madame. Neither queen was present,{{Sfn|Lair|1907|pp=|p=138}} but hearing of the episode enraged them.'''{{Sfn|Petitfils|2011|p=|loc=Chapter 17}}''' Petitfils argues that the King made the decision to declare La Vallière ''[[maîtresse-en-titre]]'' (official royal mistress) out of love, despite his desire to avoid offending either public morals or his wife and mother. Seeing La Vallière's isolation, he wanted to legtimate her position as far as possible. Whether La Vallière asked him to do so, or whether she wanted the position herself, is unknown. A contemporary observer noted that La Vallière had ‘never shown any pride’ when receiving the monarch's visits. The King lived with her openly, going on walks, hunts, and [[carriage]] rides in public.{{Sfn|Petitfils|2011|p=|loc=Chapter 17}}
On 8 December 1664, [[Armand Charles de La Porte, 2nd Duke of La Meilleraye|Armand-Charles de La Porte, Duke of La Meilleraye]], husband of [[Hortense Mancini]] and an extremely jealous person, publicly rebuked the King for ‘scandalising the nation’ and urged him to ‘correct himself’, claiming to be ‘speaking from God’. The King ridiculed him by touching his forehead and saying, ‘I have always suspected that you have some injury there’ (the exact words have been recorded differently in [[primary source]]s).{{Sfn|Petitfils|2011|p=|loc=Chapter 17}} The Duke retired from public life.{{Sfn|Lair|1907|pp=|p=141}} Many courtiers were offended by the King's open adultery,{{Sfn|Petitfils|2011|p=|loc=Chapter 17}} but the common people were singing about it and considered the King's choice a mark of good taste, as La Vallière was seen as more attractive than the Queen.{{Sfn|Petitfils|2011|p=|loc=Chapter 17}}
=== Second pregnancy and marriage plans ===
On 7 January 1665 at noon, La Vallière gave birth to a second son{{Sfn|Petitfils|2011|p=|loc=Chapter 17}}{{Sfn|Fraser|2006|p=94|pp=}} in the Palais Brion with Dr Boucher.{{Sfn|Lair|1907|p=417|pp=}} At nine in the evening, the physician gave the newborn to Colbert who delivered him to Monsieur Bernard, his servant; he was baptised Philippe, registered as the son of ‘François Derssy, [[Bourgeoisie|bourgeois]]’ and his wife, ‘Marguerite Bernard’.{{Sfn|Lair|1907|pp=|p=142}} The child was raised in the [[Tuileries Palace|Tuileries]] by Colbert's wife, Marie Charron. The King visited him often and grew to love him. The child was ‘robust’, ‘promised much’, and resembled his father.{{Sfn|Petitfils|2011|p=|loc=Chapter 21}} He died of a [[cardiac arrest]] at the end of July 1666.{{Sfn|Lair|1907|pp=|p=178}}
Queen Maria Theresa, gravely ill at the time, asked her husband to arrange La Vallière's marriage; he agreed that she could wed if the queens found a match.{{Sfn|Lair|1907|pp=|p=139}} Arranging a marriage for their extramarital partners was a common way for monarchs to provide for them, but marrying would have defeated La Vallière's idea of a ‘holy devotion’ to her sovereign.{{Sfn|Fraser|2006|p=88|loc=}} According to diplomatic records from early 1665, there was a proposed match between her and the Marquis of Vardes. Both refused the marriage.{{Sfn|Lair|1907|pp=|p=140}} The same dispatch mentions that the Palais Brion was attacked but the perpetrators were never identified; the King assigned guards to the house.{{Sfn|Lair|1907|pp=|p=147}} The first book about La Vallière's affair, by [[Roger de Rabutin, comte de Bussy|Roger de Rabutin, Count of Bussy]], a disgraced courtier who was imprisoned for his work, was written around 1665 and published in 1666, titled ''Les Amours du Palais-Royal'' (‘Loves of the Palais-Royal’). It depicted La Vallière as a ‘gentle, kind, [and] selfless’ person who loved the King ‘for himself’, concluding that she would ‘always be the King's great love’. She was becoming known around the country as Louis’ mistress.{{Sfn|Lair|1907|pp=|p=150}}{{Sfn|Petitfils|2011|p=|loc=Chapter 17}}
{{Quote box
| title = Diary entry of a middle-class contemporary about the affair
| quote = [The Countess of Soissons], the viper of the late lord [[Cardinal de Mazarin]], as she is known to the people of France, [wanted to] babble and even wrote the Queen some supposed letter about a little love affair between the King and a lady called La Vallier. [...] This Lady Vallier is pleasant, obliging, and beautiful and cheerful. The Queen is of a rather heavy nature, not very talkative: it is said that she does not speak French very well. This is what causes these little jealousies and distractions that the King takes. [...] But it is not for the people to speak ill of their king, touching on such frivolous [things].
| author = Oudart Coquault
| source = {{Sfn|Lair|1907|pp=|p=151}}{{Sfn|Petitfils|2011|pp=|loc=Chapter 18}}
}}
In October 1665, the King had a short affair with [[Catherine Charlotte de Gramont|Catherine-Charlotte de Gramont]], Princess of [[Monaco]],{{Sfn|Petitfils|2011|p=|loc=Chapter 19}}{{Sfn|Lair|1907|pp=|p=150}} developed a ‘flirtatious friendship’ with [[Anne de Rohan-Chabot]], [[Princess of Soubise]], and had at least ‘occasional’ sexual encounters with Madame de Soissons. He probably also slept with other women put forward by factions hoping to replace La Vallière.{{Sfn|Fraser|2006|p=96|pp=}} Their relationship, however, remained strong and La Vallière was reportedly happy. They shared a love of hunting, in which La Vallière was regarded as a talent. A diplomat reported seeing her ride a [[Barb horse]] [[Bareback riding|bareback]], using only a [[silk]] string to guide it, standing up and sitting down while it was moving; she handled the [[pistol]] and the [[lance]] expertly. She was trained by a [[squire]] of [[Moors|Moorish]] origins.{{Sfn|Petitfils|2011|p=|loc=Chapter 19}} During her time as royal mistress, La Vallière played an important role in the intellectual life of the court. She belonged to the circles of [[libertine]]s such as [[Isaac de Benserade]] and [[Antonin Nompar de Caumont, 1st Duke of Lauzun|Antonin Nompar de Caumont, Duke of Lauzun]]. She read the popular books of the age<ref name=":0" /> and took painting and [[sculpture]] classes at the [[Académie royale de peinture et de sculpture|Royal Academy of Painting and Sculpture]]. She was interested in philosophy, reading and discussing ''[[Nicomachean Ethics]]'' by [[Aristotle]] and ''Discourse on Method'' by [[René Descartes]].<ref name=":0" />
=== Death of Anne of Austria and birth of third child ===
[[File:Attributed to Pierre Mignard - Mme de la Vallière as Venus.jpg|thumb|La Vallière as [[Venus (mythology)|Venus]], painting probably by Pierre Mignard from 1666 or 1667.]]Queen Anne died on 20 January 1666, relieving Louis of the only person who could control him. He no longer saw a reason to act against his wishes in his personal life.{{Sfn|Lair|1907|pp=|p=157}} On the 27th, Queen Maria Theresa invited La Vallière to stand next to her at [[Mass (liturgy)|mass]] to display her complacency to her husband.{{Sfn|Petitfils|2011|p=|loc=Chapter 19}}{{Sfn|Lair|1907|pp=|p=158}} However, there were signs that the King's love was diminishing. Courtiers who sensed the change derided her for not being beautiful and [[wit]]ty enough.{{Sfn|Lair|1907|pp=|p=159}} On 2 October 1666, La Vallière gave birth to her daughter [[Marie Anne de Bourbon|Marie-Anne]] at [[Château de Vincennes|Vincennes]]. During the delivery, Madame passed through her room on the way to church. La Vallière told her that she was suffering from [[colic]], and urged Dr Boucher to ensure that the birth was over by the end of mass. She masked the smell of blood with flowers to receive visitors.{{Sfn|Petitfils|2011|p=|loc=Chapter 21}} She was present at the ''medianoche'' (midnight meal) of the court.{{Sfn|Fraser|2006|p=|pp=94–95}}{{Sfn|Lair|1907|pp=178–179|p=}} The ''Grande Mademoiselle'' claimed that even though she tried to keep her pregnancies and children hidden, courtiers were aware of them.{{Sfn|Lair|1907|pp=|p=205}}
=== End of relationship with Louis XIV ===
[[File:Follower Pierre Mignard - Portrait of a Lady, said to be Madame de Montespan.jpg|left|thumb|Madame de Montespan in 1670.]]
By the end of 1666, the King seems to have become bored with the La Vallière.<ref name=":5">{{Cite book |last=Petitfils |first=Jean |url=https://archive.org/details/louisxivlagloire0000peti |title=Louis XIV : La Gloire et les épreuves |publisher=Tallandier |year=2006 |pages=100–103 |trans-title=Louis XIV: The Glory and the Hardships |chapter=Louis XIV Intime 1661–1679 |isbn=978-2-84734-317-5 |access-date=2024-06-13 |chapter-url=https://archive.org/details/louisxivlagloire0000peti/page/96/mode/2up |url-access=registration |via=[[Internet Archive]]}}</ref> [[Françoise-Athénaïs de Rochechouart, Marquise de Montespan|Athénaïs, Marquise of Montespan]] started  working to replace her. She was ‘high-spirited and amusing’, considered an extraordinary beauty; with her full figure, she was more in line with contemporary beauty ideals than the thinner La Vallière.{{Sfn|Fraser|2006|p=|pp=104–105}} She was a member of the salons of the ''[[précieuses]]''.{{Sfn|Fraser|2006|p=108|pp=}} When her husband embarked on a military career, Montespan had an opportunity to seduce the King. She befriended both La Vallière and the Queen, visiting them daily to see the King.{{Sfn|Petitfils|2011|p=|loc=Chapter 21}} La Vallière's detractors agreed that she could not ‘amuse’ the King without Montespan's witty conversation.{{Sfn|Lair|1907|p=|pp=167, 169}} Louis started a sexual relationship with her between November 1666 and July 1667.{{Sfn|Fraser|2006|p=|pp=108–109}}
It is unclear when sexual relations between La Vallière and the King ended.{{Sfn|Fraser|2006|p=146|pp=}} Plans to arrange her marriage or give her a ''[[suo jure]]'' title were renewed, seen by contemporaries as a sign of her retirement.{{Sfn|Lair|1907|p=178|pp=}} That year, Louis XIV started to pursue personal ‘glory’ through military conquests and magnificent feasts.{{Sfn|Lair|1907|p=|pp=181–182}} La Vallière participated in courtly [[ballet]] performances, as did Montespan.{{Sfn|Lair|1907|p=|pp=183–184}} The King decided to march on Flanders, starting the [[War of Devolution]]. On Easter 1667, he took communion again in preparation for the war.{{Sfn|Lair|1907|p=|pp=185–186}} In a dispatch from 29 April 1666, a diplomat reported that La Vallière was ‘losing much of her beauty’, becoming ‘very thin’. ‘[A]lmost nobody’ visited her anymore. He found that she was behaving ‘arrogantly’ with courtiers and ‘boldly’ towards the King; public opinion held that she would soon be replaced for this. On 4 May, Louis and Madame de Montespan went on a carriage ride alone.{{Sfn|Petitfils|2011|p=|loc=Chapter 22}}
==== Legitimisation of her daughter ====
[[File:Louise de la Vallière.jpg|thumb|Portrait of La Vallière from around 1667.]]
On 13 May, the King published a [[Letters patent|letter patent]] to legitimise his only living child with La Vallière, [[Marie Anne de Bourbon|Marie-Anne]]. He conferred on her Chasteau in northern [[Touraine]], including the ruins of a fortress on Lake Val Joyeux (Vaujours){{Sfn|Petitfils|2011|p=|loc=Chapter 22}} and created a [[duchy]] ‘to be enjoyed by the said ''damoiselle'' Louise-Françoise de La Vallière, and, after her death, by Marie-Anne [...] [and] her [legitimate] heirs and descendants’.{{Sfn|Lair|1907|p=187|pp=}} Marie-Anne was authorised to use her mother's surname and soon afterwards given the [[courtesy title]] of Mademoiselle de Blois.{{Sfn|Petitfils|2011|p=|loc=Chapter 22}} The King lamented his mistake in committing adultery and promising that ‘he shall never return to it’ to his advisors and his wife.{{Sfn|Petitfils|2011|p=|loc=Chapter 22}}
Legitimising the ‘natural’ children of French kings was regular practice,{{Sfn|Lair|1907|p=188|pp=}} yet devout courtiers and those anxious for their privileges as ‘lawful’ descendants of aristocratic houses scorned the decision.{{Sfn|Fraser|2006|p=112|pp=}} Louis later explained in his ''Mémoirs'' that he wanted to provide for his mistress and child in case he died in war. He considered it ‘just’ to grant Marie-Anne ‘the honour of her birth’ and reward La Vallière in a way ‘suited to [his] affection’.{{Sfn|Lair|1907|p=189|pp=}} Her brother was promoted in the army and her uncle made a [[bishop]].{{Sfn|Petitfils|2011|p=|loc=Chapter 22}}{{Sfn|Lair|1907|p=191|pp=}} It seems that La Vallière was not aware that her lover's actions signalled the end of the relationship. She was pregnant again, but her unborn child (and any later offspring) was not included in the succeession of her duchy.{{Sfn|Lair|1907|p=188|pp=}}
==== Journey to Flanders ====
The [[military camp]] left for [[Compiègne]] on 24 May; from the ladies of the court, only the Queen and her ladies-in-waiting (including Montespan) were permitted to go.{{Sfn|Petitfils|2011|p=|loc=Chapter 22}} After a few weeks, La Vallière and her sister-in-law travelled to the camp without permission. She arrived at the Queen's household at [[La Fère]] on 20 June.{{Sfn|Lair|1907|p=|pp=197–198}}{{Sfn|Petitfils|2011|p=|loc=Chapter 23}} Maria Theresa was upset by her coming, cried, did not sleep, felt ill, and had violent outbursts. She forbade her staff from giving food to La Vallière. When she went to church, she ordered the door of the royal [[Gallery (theatre)|gallery]] to be closed so that La Vallière could not go near her; when she greeted Maria Theresa in front of the church, the Queen ignored her. During the following [[carriage]] ride, Montespan told Maria Theresa, ‘I admire [La Vallière's] boldness in daring to appear before the Queen’, adding, ‘God forbid that I should be the King's mistress! Yet if I were, I should be quite ashamed in front of the Queen’.{{Sfn|Petitfils|2011|p=|loc=Chapter 23}} Maria Theresa cried.{{Sfn|Lair|1907|p=|pp=198–199}}{{Quote box
| title = Excerpt from the letter patent ennobling La Vallière and legitimising her daughter
| quote = We believe that we can no better express to the public the most particular esteem in which we hold the person of our dear and beloved and most loyal Louise de La Vallière than by conferring upon her the highest titles of honour which a most singular affection, aroused in our hearts by an abundance of rare perfections, has for some years inspired in us in her favour. [...] The affection we have for [La Vallière] and justice not allowing us [...] to deny to nature any longer the effects of our tenderness for Marie-Anne, our natural daughter, in the person of her mother we have provided her with the land of Vaujours, situated in [[Touraine]], and the [[baron]]y of Saint-Christophe in [[Duchy of Anjou|Anjou]].
| author = Louis XIV
| source = {{Sfn|Lair|1907|p=186}}
}}In [[Guise]], La Vallière did not attend the Queen's ''coucher,'' probably sensing the [[hostility]] that surrounded her. On 22 June, the Queen reached the camp at [[Avesnes]]. When the approach of the King was announced, La Vallière commanded her carriage to cut the path through the fields at full speed. Upon reaching the sovereign, La Vallière threw herself at his feet, but he received her coldly.{{Sfn|Fraser|2006|p=113|pp=}}{{Sfn|Petitfils|2011|p=|loc=Chapter 23}} He only paid her a formal visit to satisfy customs. She did not attend the ''cercle'' (royal reception) at night, probably to avoid rebukes{{Sfn|Lair|1907|p=|pp=198–199}}{{Sfn|Petitfils|2011|p=|loc=Chapter 23}} By this time, Montespan was certainly Louis’ lover, but he insisted on following [[etiquette]]: as a duchess, La Vallière attended mass with the Queen, travelled in her carriage, and dined at the royal table.{{Sfn|Lair|1907|p=200|pp=}}{{Sfn|Petitfils|2011|p=|loc=Chapter 23}}  Maria Theresa remained angry with her;{{Sfn|Petitfils|2011|p=|loc=Chapter 23}} neither of them were aware that she had already been supplanted. Montespan and La Vallière were still friends. Many of La Valliére's early biographers, such as Charles Dreyss or Pierre Clément judged La Vallière harshly for this episode, describing her behaviour as ‘foolish [[Pride|haughtiness]] and [[Cruelty|cruel]] [[vanity]]’.{{Sfn|Lair|1907|p=201|pp=}} She was openly mocked by the ladies of the court.{{Sfn|Petitfils|2011|p=|loc=Chapter 23}}
== Later life at court ==
La Vallière returned to Paris, while the court stayed at Compiègne and Louis went on campaign.{{Sfn|Lair|1907|p=202|pp=}} The Queen received a letter telling her that the King had taken Montespan as his mistress, but she did not believe it.{{Sfn|Lair|1907|p=204|pp=}} When the King returned to Compiègne, La Vallière went there; Louis was noted to sometimes visit her.{{Sfn|Petitfils|2011|p=|loc=Chapter 23}} He then went on a tour of conquered towns, while La Vallière was in Versailles.{{Sfn|Petitfils|2011|p=|loc=Chapter 23}} She re-joined the court in Saint-Germaine-en-Laye, where the King visited her thrice a day.{{Sfn|Petitfils|2011|p=|loc=Chapter 23}} On 2 October, she gave birth to [[Louis, Count of Vermandois|Louis]],{{Sfn|Lair|1907|p=|pp=204–205}} who was taken away in secrecy. The King, who loved his older children by La Vallière, showed no care for him. [[Elizabeth Charlotte, Madame Palatine|Elizabeth Charlotte of the Palatinate]] claims that the King was ‘led to believe’ by Montespan and her supporters that La Vallière's youngest child had been fathered by the [[Antonin Nompar de Caumont, 1st Duke of Lauzun|Duke of Lauzun]].{{Sfn|Lair|1907|p=206|pp=}}
[[File:Pierre Mignard I (1612-1695) (studio of) - Madame de Montespan (1641–1707), a Mistress of Louis XIV - B.M.255 - Bowes Museum.jpg|thumb|Portrait painting of Madame de Montespan from the 1670s.]]
Montespan's husband returned and became extremely jealous, loudly complaining about the relationship between his wife and the King. He publicly lectured Louis on biblical morality,{{Sfn|Lair|1907|p=216|pp=}} promising to take revenge by contracting a [[sexually transmitted infection]] so that his wife would infect the King.{{Sfn|Fraser|2006|p=117|pp=}} After he insulted and threatened the elderly [[Julie d'Angennes|Julie d’Angennes, Duchess of Montausier]] (whom he blamed for his wife's adultery), the King imprisoned him.{{Sfn|Lair|1907|p=218|pp=}} He was freed on the condition that he exiled himself to his country estate. There, he announced the death of his wife, organised a [[funeral]], wore mourning clothes, and forbade his children to contact their mother.{{Sfn|Fraser|2006|p=118|pp=}} In order to contain the [[scandal]], La Vallière remained the official mistress and had to share an apartment with Montespan so that the King could visit her.''{{Sfn|Lair|1907|p=|pp=226–227}}''
‘Double adultery’, an extramarital affair in which both parties are married to others, was considered a grave sin by the church, and adulterous women could be imprisoned in a convent for life.{{Sfn|Fraser|2006|p=116|pp=}} Madame de Montespan had to be protected from the legal and personal attacks of her husband (who was known to be physically violent).{{Sfn|Fraser|2006|p=117|pp=}} Lair argues that La Vallière endured these humiliations to protect the interests of her son and because she had little income. Her son was acknowledged by the King in February 1669, created [[count]] of [[Vermandois]], and made [[admiral of France]], which ensured Louis’ personal control of the [[navy]].''{{Sfn|Lair|1907|p=225|pp=}}'' In March 1669, Montespan gave birth to her first child by the King.{{Sfn|Fraser|2006|p=117|pp=}}
During her time at court, La Vallière lived in several places, first in the Palais Brion until the [[Académie royale de peinture et de sculpture|Royal Academy of Painting and Sculpture]] moved there in July 1665.{{Sfn|Lair|1907|pp=419–420|p=}} Then the King gave her an ''[[Hôtel particulier|hôtel particulière]]'' in the {{Interlanguage link|Rue de l’Échelle (Paris)|lt=''rue de l’Échelle''|fr}}, near the [[Tuileries Palace|Tuileries]].{{Sfn|Petitfils|2011|p=|loc=Chapter 19}} She owned it until her entry into the convent, when her brother inherited it.{{Sfn|Lair|1907|pp=|p=421}} Around 1668, she owned a [[pavilion]] in the ''rue de la Pompe'' in Versailles'';'' in 1672, the King bought its land to build new [[stable]]s.{{Sfn|Lair|1907|pp=420–421|p=}} In 1669, she was had a pavilion in the Tuileries;{{Sfn|Lair|1907|pp=|p=424}} she owned a house in [[Saint-Germain-en-Laye|Saint-Germaine-en-Laye]] from March 1669 to December 1674,{{Sfn|Lair|1907|pp=|p=433}} and had her own apartment in the [[Château de Saint-Germain-en-Laye|palace]] there.{{Sfn|Lair|1907|pp=|p=424}}
=== Religious turn and ''Réflexions sur la miséricorde de Dieu'' ===
[[File:Lely-Vallière-et-ses-enfants-Rennes.jpg|thumb|[[Peter Lely]]’s ''Mademoiselle de La Vallière et ses enfants'' (‘Mademoiselle de La Vallière and Her Children’), contemporary painting.]]
After the end of her affair with Louis XIV, La Vallière settled into a quiet life at court.{{Sfn|Lair|1907|p=|pp=233–234}} She continued studying, reading historical, theological, and philosophical works.{{Sfn|Lair|1907|p=234|pp=}} In 1670 (certainly before May),{{Sfn|Lair|1907|p=234|pp=}} during a near-fatal, long illness (perhaps [[smallpox]]), she had a vision of her soul at the gates of [[hell]], from which the ‘[[thunder]] of God’ awakened her. She turned to religion and abandoned her previous, libertine friends. She read the spiritual works of the [[Counter-Reformation]], being most influenced by [[Teresa of Ávila|Teresa of Ávila's]] ''The Way of Perfection.'' [[Jacques-Bénigne Bossuet|Bossuet]] became her spiritual guide. With his help, she wrote her ''Réflexions sur la miséricorde de Dieu'' (‘Reflections on the Mercy of God’) in 1671, which was published anonymously in 1680. It became a popular [[Christian devotional literature|devotional book]] among French Catholics, reprinted at least ten times, often under her name.<ref name=":0" />[[File:Liselotte, Duchess of Orléans in 1675 by Mignard.jpg|left|thumb|1675 portrait painting of Madame Palatine by Pierre Mignard.]]Her authorship of ''Réflexions'' was later contested. In 1853, {{Interlanguage link|Jean-Joseph-Stanislas-Albert Damas-Hinard|fr||es}} argued that the book had been conceived by Bossuet and merely written down by La Vallière. However, the style of ''Réflexions'' differs from that of Bossuet's own work and contains a woman's autobiographical notes. In 1928, [[Marcel Langlois]], a [[Literary criticism|literary critic]] claimed that La Vallière could not have written the book as its ‘rationalist tone’ cannot belong to a woman. He argued that no women of La Vallière's time had the knowledge of [[philosophy]] and [[theology]] demonstrated in the book, or read the [[Bible]] in [[Latin]] as its author had. However, La Vallière was known in [[Salon (gathering)|salons]] for her understanding of Aristotle and Descartes, and many women of her circles read [[religious text]]s in Latin, as {{Interlanguage link|Jean-Baptiste Ériau|fr||}} defended. Her authorship has been asserted through textual analyses by Jean-Christian Petitfils and Monique de Huertas.<ref name=":0" />
After her conversion, a [[confessor]] wanted to allow her to take communion immediately, but she refused, finding herself ‘unworthy’.{{Sfn|Lair|1907|p=234|pp=}} The second wife of Monsieur, [[Elizabeth Charlotte, Madame Palatine|Elizabeth Charlotte of the Palatinate]] recounts questioning La Vallière about why she remained a ''‘suivante’'' (a servant or companion) of Montespan. She replied that she wished to ‘do [[penance]] [...] suffer[ing] what was most painful for her, to share the King's heart [with another woman] and see herself despised by him [...], offer[ing] all her pains to God as [[atonement]] for her past sins; for, since her sins had been public, her penance had to be public too’.{{Sfn|Lair|1907|p=241|pp=}} Courtiers saw her new religiousness as a [[Hypocrisy|hypocritical]] ploy to achieve material gains from the King.{{Sfn|Lair|1907|p=242|pp=}} Her potential marriage was mentioned again, possibly to [[Antonin Nompar de Caumont, 1st Duke of Lauzun|Lauzun]]. In late June 1670, Madame died. She [[Suffering|agonised]] for a long time and believed that she had been [[Poisoning|poisoned]].{{Sfn|Lair|1907|p=|pp=246–247}} La Vallière was present at her deathbed.{{Sfn|Fraser|2006|p=130|pp=}} In her last hours, she was told by a [[Canon (title)|canon]], {{Interlanguage link|Nicolas Feuillet|fr}}, that ‘all [her] life had been but [[sin]]’, and she repented publicly. When she complained of excruciating pain, Feuillet told her to embrace the suffering and think of God.{{Sfn|Lair|1907|p=|pp=256–257}} Courtiers remained under the impression of Madame's sudden death and her repentance for a long time.{{Sfn|Lair|1907|p=258|pp=}}
=== Second flight to Chaillot ===
[[File:Marquise de Montespan and children.jpg|thumb|Contemporaneous painting of Madame de Montespan with four of her children by the King: (from left to right) [[Louis César, Count of Vexin|Louis-César, Count of Vexin]], Louise-Françoise, Mademoiselle de Nantes, [[Louise Marie Anne de Bourbon|Louise-Marie-Anne, Mademoiselle de Tours]], and [[Louis Auguste, Duke of Maine|Louis-Auguste, Duke of Maine]].]]
In early spring 1671, La Vallière fled to the [[Visitation (Christianity)|Visitation]] convent of the ''Filles de Sainte-Marie'' (‘Daughters of the [[Mary, mother of Jesus|Virgin Mary]]’) in [[Chaillot]]. She took with her none of her belongings and only left a letter to the King.{{Sfn|Lair|1907|p=|pp=269–270}} Whereas he had personally pursued La Vallière in 1662, this time Louis continued his planned activities; however, he was noted to have cried during a carriage ride.{{Sfn|Lair|1907|p=270|pp=}} He sent Lauzun to persuade La Vallière to return, but he failed, as did [[Bernardin Gigault de Bellefonds]], Marquis of Bellefonds,{{Sfn|Lair|1907|p=271|pp=}} a good friend of La Vallière.{{Sfn|Lair|1907|p=285|pp=}} To Bellefonds, La Vallière said that she ‘would have left the court sooner’ but she had felt unable to never see the King again. She added that her ‘weakness’ for Louis remained, but she wanted to dedicate the ‘rest of her life’ to ensuring her own [[salvation]]. When hearing this, the King cried but sent [[Jean-Baptiste Colbert|Colbert]] to retrieve La Vallière, by force if necessary.{{Sfn|Lair|1907|p=271|pp=}} Montespan opposed her potential return and quarrelled with the King.{{Sfn|Lair|1907|p=272|pp=}}
Colbert asked La Vallière to return so that the King ‘could speak to her further’. She agreed on the condition that Louis would permit her to enter a convent ‘if she persevered’. She had spent around twelve hours in Chaillot. Montespan ran to receive her with open arms and tearful eyes; the King talked with her for an hour, crying. Some faulted La Vallière for being ‘inconstant [in her] resolution’ to live a religious life, while others thought that she had acted ‘foolishly’ by returning without exploiting her stronger bargaining position. The ''Grande Mademoiselle'' believed that the King would have secretly been happy to ‘get rid of’ La Vallière.{{Sfn|Lair|1907|p=271|pp=}} Lair argues that Louis still needed La Vallière as a cover for his affair with Montespan{{Sfn|Lair|1907|p=273|pp=}} because his suit for her [[Marital separation|separation]] from her husband did not progress.{{Sfn|Lair|1907|p=275|pp=}}
The King decided to march on Flanders again and invited La Vallière, who declined. Since her presence was necessary for Montespan, the King commanded her to go. Even her detractors considered her behaviour after her return from Chaillot ‘dignified and reserved’.{{Sfn|Lair|1907|p=273|pp=}} Onlookers were scandalised to see the King ride in a carriage sitting between his two mistresses.{{Sfn|Lair|1907|p=276|pp=}} During these years, La Vallière practiced charity, especially towards the poor of Vaujours.{{Sfn|Lair|1907|p=282|pp=}} She grew close to the Queen who pitied her for her humiliations and appreciated her repentance. Religious practice gained importance in La Vallière's life: she prayed and [[Christian meditation|meditated]] often, avoided events and company that could have ‘distracted’ her, and wore a [[cilice]] under her [[robe]].{{Sfn|Lair|1907|p=288|pp=}}
=== Background of retirement ===
[[File:La duchesse de la Vallière et ses enfants.jpg|thumb|19th century copy of the last painting of La Vallière with her children.|left]]
La Vallière's children were raised by [[Jean-Baptiste Colbert|Colbert]] and his wife; she only saw them occasionally. Her eight-year-old daughter, [[Marie Anne de Bourbon|Marie-Anne, Mademoiselle de Blois]], a child of ‘lively and precocious intelligence’ attended her first [[Ball (dance event)|ball]] in January 1674, in her mother's presence{{Sfn|Lair|1907|p=304|pp=}} Bellefonds worried that La Vallière's attachment to her daughter would prevent her from entering the convent. She admitted that she had ‘sensitivity’, but her feelings for her children were conflicted because of their ‘sinful’ birth: ‘I confess that I was delighted to see her [...] But, at the same time, I had [[Conscience|scruples]] about it [...] These are rather opposite emotions, yet I feel them as I tell you’.{{Sfn|Lair|1907|p=305|pp=}} She commissioned a painting of her and her children, probably as a remembrance for them.{{Sfn|Lair|1907|p=306|pp=}}[[File:La Marquise de Maintenon, le duc du Maine et le comte de Vexin - Château de Maintenon.png|thumb|Madame de Maintenon with two of the children of Louis XIV and Madame de Montespan, the Duke of Maine and the Count of Vexin.]]Many noblewomen retired as ''pensionnaires'' (boarders) to the [[Visitation (Christianity)|Visitation]] convent of the ''Filles de Sainte-Marie'' (‘Daughters of the Virgin Mary’) in Chaillot. They lead relatively unrestricted lives, maintainting their social networks and not bound by a [[vow]]; they could leave or marry at any time. However, when it was suggested to her, La Vallière felt that this would not be enough for her as [[Penance|penitence]].{{Sfn|Lair|1907|p=293|pp=}} She considered both the ''[[Couvent des Capucines]]'' (‘Convent of Capuchin Sisters’) and the ''Grand Couvent'' (‘Great Convent’) of [[Discalced Carmelites]], choosing the latter.{{Sfn|Lair|1907|p=293|pp=}} There were strict requirements for women who sought to enter: they had to have led a ‘regular’ life, demonstrated a ‘good character’, and never been the cause of scandal. As the Carmelites hesitated to accept her because of her public adultery, she sought the help of Judith de Bellefonds, a nun in the convent and the aunt of her friend.{{Sfn|Lair|1907|p=295|pp=}} In late October 1673, the Marquis of Bellefonds informed her that she would be accepted as a [[postulant]]; however, she was unwell and advised to rest.{{Sfn|Lair|1907|p=|pp=295–296}} When she returned to court from her retreat to the convent, her impending retirement became public. She was supported in her decision by Bellefonds, [[Jacques-Bénigne Bossuet|Bossuet]], and [[Paul de Beauvilliers, 2nd duc de Saint-Aignan|Paul de Beauvilliers, Duke of Saint-Aignan]].{{Sfn|Lair|1907|p=|pp=296–297}}
Bossuet helped convince Madame de Montespan to endorse La Vallière's departure to the King. While she did not oppose it, she ridiculed it publicly.{{Sfn|Lair|1907|p=297|pp=}} She sent her confidante, [[Françoise d'Aubigné, Marquise de Maintenon|Françoise d’Aubigné, Madame Scarron]] to dissuade her. Scarron warned La Vallière that it might be too difficult to live as a Carmelite after the comforts of the royal court, advising her that she should enter as a secular benefactress and see whether she could tolerate the rules. La Vallière answered that this would not be proper penitence.{{Sfn|Lair|1907|p=|pp=297–298}} By December 1673, as a result of Montespan's campaign, courtiers thought that La Vallière had changed her mind and mocked her.{{Sfn|Lair|1907|p=298|pp=}} In the same month, she stood as [[Godparent|godmother]] to the third child of the King and Montespan, named [[Louise Françoise, Princess of Condé|Louise-Françoise]] after her.{{Sfn|Fraser|2006|p=142|pp=}} She and her two brothers were then legitimised;{{Sfn|Fraser|2006|p=143|pp=}} this was a way for the King to protect them from Madame de Montespan's husband after La Vallière's retirement.{{Sfn|Lair|1907|p=|pp=296–297}} The [[Marital separation|separation]] of the Montespans was pronounced, rendering the use of La Vallière as a front unnecessary.{{Sfn|Lair|1907|p=|pp=302–303}} In March 1674, she wrote to Bellefonds that she was ‘leaving the world’ with no ‘regrets’, ‘but not without pain’. {{Sfn|Lair|1907|p=307|pp=}}
La Vallière was in debt because of her expenditure (especially on charity), but she had to declare herself debt-free to enter the convent. With Colbert's intervention, the King permitted her son, Vermandois, to lend the necessary funds to her. By March 1674, La Vallière had arranged her finances; on 18 April, she gave her jewels to her children and petitioned the King to establish pensions for her mother and step-sister,{{Sfn|Lair|1907|p=|pp=310–311}} as well as for her [[servants]].  She renounced her paternal inheritance to her brother, the Marquis of La Vallière.{{Sfn|Lair|1907|p=|pp=336–337}}
== Carmelite sister ==
=== Postulancy and novitiate ===
[[File:Louise-Adelaide Desnos - A royal meeting, 1838.jpg|thumb|La Vallière asking the Queen for forgiveness on [[Louise Adélaïde Desnos|Louise Adélaïde Desnos’]] painting from 1838.|left]]La Vallière paid her last visits on 18 April, giving pieces of jewellery to her friends. When she said farewell to the King, he cried.{{Sfn|Lair|1907|p=311|pp=}} She decided to apologise to the Queen publicly. When [[Louise de Prie]] asked her to not do so ‘in front of everyone’, La Vallière replied, ‘As my crimes were public, my penitence must be [public], too’. She [[Kneeling|kneeled]] before Maria Theresa, who lifted and embraced her, assuring her that she was forgiven.{{Sfn|Lair|1907|p=|pp=311–312}} The sympathy La Vallière aroused worried Montespan, so she invited her to [[supper]], where the ''Grande Mademoiselle'' also said goodbye. The next day, the court attended mass, where the King cried again and his eyes were red for hours. Then, dressed in her ''[[robe de cour]]'',{{Sfn|Lair|1907|p=|pp=312–313}} she left for the convent with her children, friends, and family.{{Sfn|Lair|1907|p=312|pp=}} The court gathered to see her leave.{{Sfn|Lair|1907|p=|pp=312–313}} She was permitted to wear the [[Religious habit|habit of the nuns]] immediately, and she cut her hair (as nuns who have pronounced their [[Religious vows|vows]] do) that night.{{Sfn|Lair|1907|p=313|pp=}}
La Vallière followed the regulations of the Carmelites from her first day. To Bellefonds, she reported that she felt ‘calm’, ‘content’, and in ‘safety’.{{Sfn|Lair|1907|p=315|pp=}} The King developed doubts about her decision, as this public conversion highlighted his adultery. Courtiers still did not believe that La Vallière would stay in the convent, and spread mocking rumors. She asked the Carmelites to shorten her [[Postulant|postulancy]],{{Sfn|Lair|1907|p=316|pp=}} and less than three months after her entry, she had her ''vêture'' (ceremonial donning of a nun's habit). As date, she chose the eighth Sunday after [[Pentecost]], when the [[Parable of the Lost Sheep]] was read in churches. Many courtiers attended''.{{Sfn|Lair|1907|p=317|pp=}}'' The [[Appointment of Catholic bishops|bishop-designate]] of [[Roman Catholic Diocese of Aire and Dax|Aire]], {{Interlanguage link|Jean-Louis de Fromentières|fr}} preached, highlighted La Vallière as an ‘example to all her century’, but warning her about the difficulties of cloistered life. She then received a [[Blessing|blessed]] habit from the [[Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Paris|Archbishop of Paris]], [[François de Harlay de Champvallon]].{{Sfn|Lair|1907|p=319|pp=}}
In the [[Holy Week]] of 1675, she received gratefully the news that the King had separated from Madame de Montespan and took [[Eucharist|communion]]; she prayed for the conversion of ‘one [she] had so loved’.{{Sfn|Lair|1907|p=324|pp=}} After a year of [[novitiate]], she took her perpetual vows on 3 June 1675, in the presence of the Queen, Monsieur, [[Elizabeth Charlotte, Madame Palatine|Madame Palatine]] (his second wife), Mademoiselle ([[Marie Louise d'Orléans|Marie-Louise of Orléans]], daughter of Monsieur and the late [[Henrietta of England]]), and the ''Grande Mademoiselle''.{{Sfn|Lair|1907|p=324|pp=}} The mass was conducted by Abbot Pirot, with a sermon by Bossuet who celebrated the ‘renewal’ of La Vallière, contrasting it with the attitude of ‘those seeking glory and fame’.{{Sfn|Lair|1907|p=|pp=325–327}} He focused more on warning the King than on speaking to La Vallière.{{Sfn|Lair|1907|p=329|pp=}} The black veil of professed nuns was blessed by Bossuet and handed to the Queen, who gave it to the [[Prior (ecclesiastical)|Prioress]], Mère Claire de Saint-Sacrement (‘Mother Claire of the Holy Sacrament’) to cover La Vallière's head.{{Sfn|Lair|1907|p=330|pp=}}
=== Life as a nun ===
[[File:Le renoncement de Louise de la Vallière (Jean-Charles Nocret).jpg|left|thumb|Contemporary [[Allegory|allegorical]] depiction of La Vallière renouncing the world for Jesus.]]
As a Carmelite sister, she used the name Louise de la Miséricorde (‘Louise of Mercy’).{{Sfn|Lair|1907|p=320|pp=}} She was reputed to seek the most humbling tasks despite her frequent [[headache]]s,{{Sfn|Lair|1907|p=335|pp=}} believing that ‘nothing was too base for her’. She asked to become a [[Lay brother|lay sister]],{{Sfn|Lair|1907|p=321|pp=}} but was only permitted to help novices (as they were given the most humbling chores).{{Sfn|Lair|1907|p=333|pp=}} She was regularly visited by [[Armand Jean le Bouthillier de Rancé|Rancé]] (who had been almoner in the Orléans household where she lived as a child),{{Sfn|Lair|1907|p=322|pp=}} by Queen Maria Theresa (who brought along Madame de Montespan twice),{{Sfn|Lair|1907|p=334|pp=}} and by her childhood friend, [[Marguerite Louise d'Orléans|Marguerite of Orléans]], Grand Duchess of Tuscany.{{Sfn|Lair|1907|p=335|pp=}}
Multiple stories preserved by the Carmelites recount her discipline. One or two years after her entry, Madame Palatine brought La Vallière's son, Vermandois to visit. When the eight- or nine-year-old wanted to kiss his mother, La Vallière refused him. Even though she would have been allowed to embrace her child because of his young age, and despite the entreaties of Madame Palatine and her son’ distress, La Vallière did not relent. Both guests left in tears.{{Sfn|Lair|1907|p=|pp=336–337}} She resolved to never see her children again, which the King opposed as he believed that they needed the advice of their mother. The Carmelites considered it a duty to maintain family ties if it was not for their own pleasure but as a service to others.{{Sfn|Lair|1907|p=339|pp=}}[[File:Marie Anne de Bourbon, Princess of Conti - Versailles MV 7152 (cropped-edited).jpg|thumb|La Vallière's daughter Marie-Anne as princess of Conti on a portrait from between 1680 and 1700.]]La Vallière's brother died in October 1676, followed closely by a nun whom she had known from the Orléans household. She envied them but ‘submit[ed]’ to God's will that she would stay alive ‘as a sacrifice’.{{Sfn|Lair|1907|p=337|pp=}} Her brother had been indebted, and her creditors approached La Vallière. She petitioned the King to allow her nephew to inherit his father's position. In his reply granting the wish, Louis that he would offer his condolences in person if he were a ‘good enough man to see a Carmelite as holy as’ she.{{Sfn|Lair|1907|p=337|pp=}}
Her daughter, Mademoiselle de Blois continued to be raised by Madame Colbert. In 1680, she married [[Louis Armand I, Prince of Conti|Louis-Armand, Prince of Conti]]. The Prince and his cousin [[Henri Jules, Prince of Condé|Henri-Jules, Prince of Condé]] visited La Vallière, and Conti treated his mother-in-law with reverence;{{Sfn|Lair|1907|p=|pp=339–340}} she became her spiritual advisor.{{Sfn|Lair|1907|p=341|pp=}} Her ''Réflexions'' was also published for the first time that year. Despite being anonymous, the book alluded heavily to La Vallière's person. Its preface covertly attacked the King and Montespan (who was still his mistress) by saying, ‘[m]ay Heaven grant that those who followed her in her sins may imitate her in her penance and make good use of the time that the mercy of God gives them to think seriously about their salvation’.{{Sfn|Lair|1907|p=349|pp=}} The book became a success and was soon translated to German.{{Sfn|Lair|1907|p=343|pp=}}
[[File:Louis, Count of Vermandois.PNG|left|thumb|Vermandois on a contemporary portrait.]]
==== Death of her son ====
Aged thirteen, Vermandois joined the [[libertine]] circles of [[Philippe, Chevalier de Lorraine|Philippe, ''Chevalier de Lorraine'']]. After numerous scandals, the King exiled{{Sfn|Lair|1907|p=345|pp=}} and briefly imprisoned him in Normandy. La Vallière was distressed by her son's fate.{{Sfn|Lair|1907|p=|pp=344–345}} On his own request, Vermandois was then deployed to the [[Spanish Netherlands]]. Only sixteen, combat took a toll on him; he developed a [[fever]] and died on 18 November 1683. In the 18th century, people speculated that Vermandois was the [[Man in the Iron Mask]], declared dead but imprisoned for life. At the time, no one doubted that he had died, and he was mourned publicly for his great potential.{{Sfn|Lair|1907|p=346|pp=}}
The Prioress was tasked with informing La Vallière of his death, but she met her before finding the right words. Seeing her sadness and hesitation, La Vallière (who was aware of her son's illness but not of its gravity) said, ‘I understand well’ and went to the [[chapel]] to pray. She was never seen to cry for her son, nor did she talk about her grief. A friend advised her that crying could relieve her and that God did not forbid nuns to grieve. ‘One must sacrifice everything; it is for myself that I must weep’, she answered, referring to her sin of having children out of wedlock.{{Sfn|Lair|1907|p=348|pp=}} In November 1685, her son-in-law died of [[Smallpox Hospital|smallpox]],{{Sfn|Lair|1907|p=|pp=354–355}} and La Vallière was again ‘firm and resigned’. Lair argues that this was another form of penance: she refused the usual comforts of mourning people to increase the pain caused by her losses.{{Sfn|Lair|1907|p=355|pp=}} The next year, her mother died; it is unknown how this affected her.{{Sfn|Lair|1907|p=356|pp=}}
==== Later life ====
La Vallière continued to look after her family. Her niece by her brother, Louise-Gabrielle, was repudiated by her husband, {{Interlanguage link|César-Auguste de Choiseul de Plessis-Praslin|fr}}, Duke of Choiseul for her ‘misconduct’.{{Sfn|Lair|1907|p=357|pp=}} To protect Madame de Choiseul's sister Marie-Yolande, La Vallière placed her as a ''pensionnaire'' in [[Faremoutiers Abbey]] and forbade her to contact Madame de Choiseul. In response, Marie-Yolande threatened to kill herself;&nbsp;La Vallière advised the family to let her leave. When Marie-Yolande married in 1697, La Vallière's daughter, Madame de Conti asked the King for permission to invite Madame de Choiseul. Louis answered that whatever La Vallière advised should happen, and she allowed Madame de Choiseul to attend.{{Sfn|Lair|1907|p=|pp=358–359}}  Madame de Conti paid the pensions her mother had requested for relatives and old servants. When the Carmelites wanted to support poor people, La Vallière always turned to her daughter, but she often reprimanded her for her ‘light’ conduct (Madame de Conti's behaviour was often considered ‘inappropriate’ for widows by contemporaries).{{Sfn|Lair|1907|p=359|pp=}}
[[File:Sophie Lemire - Madame de la Valliere giving instruction in piety to her daughter Mlle de Blois.jpg|thumb|Early 19th century painting by Sophie Lemire of a fictional scene in which La Vallière ‘instruct[s] her daughter in piety’.]]
In 1685, working with Bellefonds, she unsuccessfully attempted to convert [[Gilbert Burnet]]t to Catholicism during his visit to France.{{Sfn|Lair|1907|p=361|pp=}} Clément claims that she participated in the theological debates of the century concerning [[Jansenism]], which Lair considers doubtful. Foreign dignitiaries frequently visited her, as well as Madame de Montespan after her disgrace in the [[Affair of the Poisons]].{{Sfn|Lair|1907|p=360|pp=}} She was regularly visited by the Queen, the Dauphine, ([[Maria Anna Victoria of Bavaria|Maria Anna of Bavaria]]), and [[Marie Adélaïde of Savoy|Marie-Adélaïde of Savoy]].{{Sfn|Lair|1907|p=364|pp=}} In the community, was appointed ''sacristine'' (carer of the [[Oratory (worship)|oratory]]).{{Sfn|Lair|1907|p=365|pp=}} She often fasted on bread and water; after experiencing a memory of the refreshments served at the royal court, she only drank half a glass of water for three years. Her physical health was damaged and her superiors urged her to moderate her penance.{{Sfn|Lair|1907|p=362|pp=}} She suffered from [[erysipelas]] but did not seek treatment.{{Sfn|Lair|1907|p=363|pp=}} She asked to be transferred to ‘one of the poorest [and] most distant’ Carmelite convent, which was refused as the nuns appreciated her company and ‘example’.{{Sfn|Lair|1907|p=365|pp=}}
Multiple works published during her lifetime discussed La Vallière. A 1678 book by [[Gatien de Courtilz de Sandras]] declared that her conversion had reasons other than ‘spite’. In 1695, pamphlets written around 1665 were organised into a book titled ''La Vie de la duchesse de La Vallière'' (‘The Life of the Duchess of La Vallière’).{{Sfn|Lair|1907|p=363|pp=}} She became popular among the French; her name was used to sell books to interpret dreams, positioning her as a [[Divination|seer]].{{Sfn|Lair|1907|p=364|pp=}}
==== Death ====
[[File:Death of Louise de la Valliere.JPG|left|thumb|Louise de La Vallière on her [[catafalque]].]]
At the end of her life, La Vallière suffered from [[headache]]s, [[sciatica]], [[rheumatism]], stomach problems, and other, unspecified internal ailments. She tried to hide her pain and only complained of having to still live.{{Sfn|Lair|1907|p=367|pp=}} She was permitted to rise two hours earlier than the others. She did so on 5 June 1710; at three in the morning, she was going to the chapel when pain overcame her. She leaned against a wall, unable to speak, and was found two hours later. Doctors performed [[bloodletting]] but concluded that she was dying. She refused to use [[linen]] instead of her usual coarse bedding. Seemingly happy about imminent death, she repeated the phrase, ‘expiring in the most severe pain, that is what befits a sinner’. At night, she asked for [[Anointing of the Sick in the Catholic Church|Extreme Unction]],{{Sfn|Lair|1907|p=368|pp=}} [[Confession|confessed]] and took [[Eucharist|communion]]. Abbot Pirot administered the [[last rites]] around eleven in the morning. When Madame de Conti arrived, her mother could no longer speak. She died at noon on 6 June 1710.{{Sfn|Lair|1907|p=369|pp=}} When the King was informed of La Vallière's death, he did not seem moved, saying that she had died for him the day she entered the convent.{{Sfn|Lair|1907|p=370|pp=}}
According to the convent's customs, La Vallière's body was displayed in the church behind the grille separating the enclosure. Crowds came to see her, and four nuns were necessary to handle the objects people asked to be touched to her body for a blessing.{{Sfn|Lair|1907|p=|pp=369–370}} When [[clergy]]men arrived to [[Burial|inter]] the corpse, the laypeople present prayed for La Vallière's intercession with God on their behalf. {{Sfn|Lair|1907|p=370|pp=}} She was buried in the cemetery of the Carmelite nuns, a small headstone inscribed with her religious name marking the place. The cemetery, including her grave, was [[Desecration|desecrated]] during the [[French Revolution]].{{Sfn|Lair|1907|p=371|pp=}}
== Issue ==
Louise de la Vallière had five children by Louis XIV, two of whom survived infancy. The first two were registered under false surnames.
* Charles ‘de Lincourt’ (19 December 1663 – circa 1665 or 1666), died in infancy and was never legitimised;{{Sfn|Fraser|2006|p=87|loc=}}{{Sfn|Lair|1907|pp=125–126|p=}}
* Philippe ‘Derssy’ (7 January 1665 – July 1666), died in infancy and was never legitimised;{{Sfn|Fraser|2006|p=94|loc=}}{{Sfn|Lair|1907|pp=|p=142}}
* Louis de La Baume Le Blanc (27 December 1665 – 1666), died in infancy and was never legitimised;
* [[Marie Anne de Bourbon|Marie-Anne de Bourbon]], ''Légitimée de France'' (2 October 1666 – 3 May 1739); known as Mademoiselle de Blois after her legitimation. She married [[Louis Armand I, Prince of Conti]] and had no issue. She inherited the title of duchess of La Vallière from her mother;
* [[Louis, Count of Vermandois]] (2 October 1667 – 18 November 1683); died at the age of sixteen during his first military campaign, and had no issue.<ref>François Bluche: "''Dictionnaire du Grand Siècle''".</ref><ref>Jean-Christian Petitfils: "''Louise de la Vallière''".</ref>
==In popular culture==
{{Commons category}}
{{wikisource|Letitia Elizabeth Landon (L. E. L.) in Fisher's Drawing Room Scrap Book, 1839/Louise, Duchess of La Valliere|'Louise, Duchess of La<br />Valliere', a poetical illustration by L. E. L.}}
The term ‘[[lavalier]]’, meaning a jeweled pendant necklace, comes either from her name or that of [[Ève Lavallière]], through the French term for a [[pussy bow]], ''lavallière'';<ref name="Vuibert">Calon, Oliver (2017). "Ah! s'il n'était pas le roi – Louise de la Vallière". ''Les petites phrases qui ont fait la grande histoire''. Vuibert. pp. 84–85. {{ISBN|978-2311-10216-1}}</ref>
* [[Letitia Elizabeth Landon]] composed a ‘poetical illustration’ titled ''[[wikisource:Letitia Elizabeth Landon (L. E. L.) in Fisher's Drawing Room Scrap Book, 1839/Louise, Duchess of La Valliere|Louise, Duchess of La Valliere]]'' to an [[engraving]] by [[John Henry Robinson]] based on a painting by [[Edmund Thomas Parris]] (1838);<ref>{{cite book|last=Landon|first=Letitia Elizabeth|title=Fisher's Drawing Room Scrap Book, 1839|url=https://play.google.com/books/reader?id=ufpcAAAAcAAJ&pg=GBS.PA10-IA32|section=poetical illustration|year=1838|publisher=Fisher, Son & Co.}}{{cite book|last=Landon|first=Letitia Elizabeth|title=Fisher's Drawing Room Scrap Book, 1839|url=https://play.google.com/books/reader?id=ufpcAAAAcAAJ&pg=GBS.PA10-IA35|section=picture|year=1838|publisher=Fisher, Son & Co.}}</ref>
* She is one of the main characters in [[Alexandre Dumas|Alexandre Dumas's]] novel ''[[The Vicomte of Bragelonne: Ten Years Later|The Vicomte de Bragelonne: Ten Years Later]]'', the second sequel to ''[[The Three Musketeers]]'' published between 1847 and 1850. Dumas makes her the fiancée of the fictional titular character, son of [[Athos (character)|Athos]]. Some editions break the novel up into several books, one of them titled ''Louise de''  ''la Vallière'';{{Citation needed|date=September 2022}}
* [[Christina Rossetti]]’s 1881 poem ''Sœur Louise de la Miséricorde'' is presumed{{By whom|date=July 2024}} to be about her.{{Citation needed|date=September 2022}}
* A German [[silent film]] titled ''[[Louise de Lavallière (film)|Louise de Lavallière]]'' was made about her life, in which she was portrayed by Emmy Schaeff (1922);{{Citation needed|date=September 2022}}
* {{Interlanguage link|Marcelle Vioux|fr}} wrote a novel about her titled ''Louise de La Valliere'' (1938);<ref>Marcelle Vioux: ''Louise de La Valliere'', Fasquelle 1938, 263 p.</ref>
* [[Sandra Gulland]] titled ''Mistress of the Sun'' that features her (2008);{{Citation needed|date=September 2022}}
*[[Karleen Koen]]'s novel ''Before Versailles'' is told from Louise de la Vallière's point of view (2011);
* Joan Sanders published a biography of Louise in 1959 titled ''La Petite : Louise de la Vallière'' (‘The Little: Louise de la Vallière’);{{Citation needed|date=September 2022}}
* [[List of The Familiar of Zero characters#Louise|Louise Françoise le Blanc de la Vallière]], the main female character of ''[[The Familiar of Zero]]'', was named after her;
==Footnotes==
{{Portal|Biography|History|France
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==References==
* {{Cite book |last=Fraser |first=Antonia |title=Love and Louis XIV: The Women in the Life of the Sun King |date=2006 |publisher=[[Random House]] |isbn=978-14-00033-744 |location=New York}}
*{{cite book |author=Fraser |first=Antonia |title=Love and Louis XIV: The Women in the Life of the Sun King |url= |date=25 June 2010 |publisher=[[Random House of Canada|Anchor Canada]] |isbn=9780385660631 |location=Toronto}}
*{{cite book |first=Monique de |last=Huertas |title=Louise de la Vallière. De Versailles au Carmel |year=1998 |isbn=9782857045489 |publisher=Pygmalion |language=fr |trans-title=Louise de La Vallière: From Versailles to Carmel}}
*{{cite book |author1=Lair |first=Jules |author-link=Jules Lair |url=https://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/bpt6k6490760b |title=Louise de La Vallière et la jeunesse de Louis XIV d’après des documents inédits |year=1907 |edition=4th |publisher=[[Plon]] |location=Paris |language=fr |trans-title=Louise de La Vallière and the Youth of Louis XIV, Based on Unedited Documents |access-date=2024-06-13 |via=BnF Gallica}}
* {{Cite book |last=Petitfils |first=Jean-Christian |title=Louise de La Vallière |publisher=Tempus Perrin |date=2011 |isbn=978-2-2620-3649-2 |language=fr}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:La Valliere, Louise De}}
[[Category:1644 births]]
[[Category:1710 deaths]]
[[Category:People from Tours, France]]
[[Category:Dukes of La Vallière]]
[[Category:17th-century peers of France]]
[[Category:Peers created by Louis XIV]]
[[Category:Mistresses of Louis XIV]]
[[Category:French suo jure nobility|La Valliere, Duchess of, Louise]]
[[Category:Discalced Carmelite nuns]]
[[Category:17th-century French women writers]]
[[Category:18th-century French women writers]]
[[Category:18th-century French writers]]
[[Category:17th-century French nuns]]
[[Category:French autobiographers]]
[[Category:Women autobiographers]]
[[Category:18th-century French nuns]]