If you read French, here's an excellent article on Anne d'Heilly, the duchesse d'Étampes, François I's official mistress for over twenty years and protagonist of my current novel. Is Anne's reputation as a "méchante" (wicked one) deserved? The author of this pulp novel certainly thought so...
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6 comments:
What a great cover!
Isn't it awesome? She's definitely on the brink of a wardrobe malfunction.
The real Anne d'Heilly was a small, blue-eyed blonde. You can see a portrait of her here: http://writingren.blogspot.com/2008/09/rise-and-fall-of-royal-mistress.html
Oh my!! I guess the publisher thought that would help it sell!! Funny!
Seems to have been a trend in pulp novels circa 1955:
http://jef-de-wulf.blogspot.com/2009/12/1955_5116.html
Great article - interesting how a reputation is formed over the years.
I wonder how she would be remembered if the French Reformation, and the St Bartholemew's Day Massacre had unfolded differently...
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