This Monday, May 16 from 9:10 p.m. on France 3, Secrets d’histoire and Stéphane Bern focus on one of the most influential, intelligent and progressive figures of the Middle Ages: Marguerite d’Angoulême. At first glance, her name does not tell us much, but everything becomes clear when we learn, for example, that she is the dear older sister of François I, whom she will free many years later when he was in the hands of his lifelong enemy: the Emperor Charles V.
A story of oysters
But back to this beautiful lady. If we are interested in her today, it is – among other things – because she was decked out from an early age with a nickname: the pearl. Funny little name, right? We explain to you. On February 16, 1488, Charles d’Orléans, Count of Angoulême, married in Paris the pretty Louise de Savoie, nine years his junior. The young girl, barely 12 years old, shows signs of independence and a strong character very early on. It was only four years later that she became pregnant with her first child. The couple are happy. During this long-awaited pregnancy – and like many future mothers – Louise is filled with cravings and cravings. Including that of seafood and more particularly oysters. It would be during one of these tastings that the young woman almost choked on the oyster and especially the fine pearl attached to the muscle of the mollusc. But luckily, she barely survived. Seeing it as a sign from heaven, she tells her tender husband of her desire to name the future child Marguerite. If it’s a girl of course.
an influential sister
So why Marguerite? Well, quite simply because in Latin – a language particularly used at court – the word pearl translates into… Margarita. And from Margarita to Marguerite there is only one step. CQFD. Very quickly, the rest of her family decided to nickname the little girl, the pearl of the Valois. Over the years, Marguerite d’Angoulême will become one of the lights of the French Renaissance and the best support of her little brother (born two years after her) François Ier and will be among those who will upset her time by her positions. personal, political, religious but also literary.
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