Page 43 - All About History - Issue 72-18

University of Wife

The legendary royal A rosewood lute,
mistress Diane de Poitiers dating from 1596.
was the result of Anne The young women
de Beaujeu’s pioneering of the French court
education system for girls, were expected to be
which made her into one talented musicians
of the most graceful and and the lute was one
accomplished women at of the most popular
the French court instruments

skills, their French peers were encouraged in the education of their
to read widely, write poetry and familiarise own daughters.
themselves with intellectual pursuits such as It had become the
the discussion of philosophy, art, literature and custom for noble families
religion. Alongside this they were also given to send their children
lessons in all the usual courtly activities like away to be educated
dancing, playing musical instruments, singing, in the other grand
riding and hunting – all to the very highest aristocratic households,
standard. Deportment was also extremely with the most prestig
important and young French noblewomen placements naturally GUARDIAN:
would spend hours learning how to curtsey, eat being within the royal
Guardians are requested to sign and return this report
and even walk in the most refined and elegant family itself.
way possible, the ultimate aim being to make At the end of the 15th
h
them both ornaments to the royal court and century, parents were
also extremely marriageable. especially keen to have
d
Although French noblemen naturally their daughters educated d
preferred wives who brought an enormous in the household
i
h f tth
f
t
f
h h
f
d
dowry with them, allowances were often made of Charles VIII’s sister dB j it dt th ki ’ sister who, furthermore,
it
B
for young women who were exceptionally well- Duchesse de Bourbon at the enormous acted as his regent during his minority, but
educated but sadly lacking in family money, Château de Chantelle near Moulins. Not only parents were also drawn to Anne’s own
which made parents all the more keen to invest was it considered highly advantageous to be formidable intelligence and dedication to the
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