Monday, January 14, 2013

Wicked Anne d'Étampes

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:

  1. DaphneJanuary 15, 2013 at 5:28 AM

    What a great cover!

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  2. Julianne DouglasJanuary 15, 2013 at 9:38 AM

    Isn't it awesome? She's definitely on the brink of a wardrobe malfunction.

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  3. Julianne DouglasJanuary 15, 2013 at 9:40 AM

    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

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  4. MarciJanuary 15, 2013 at 10:40 AM

    Oh my!! I guess the publisher thought that would help it sell!! Funny!

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  5. Julianne DouglasJanuary 15, 2013 at 10:59 AM

    Seems to have been a trend in pulp novels circa 1955:

    http://jef-de-wulf.blogspot.com/2009/12/1955_5116.html

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  6. AnonymousJanuary 7, 2014 at 8:22 AM

    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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