| Madeleine de Bourbon | |
|---|---|
[[Image: | |
| Duchess of York | |
| Tenure | 13 August 1580 - 13 June 1612 |
| Born | 7 October 1563 Vendome, France |
| Died | 13 June 1612 Yorkshire, England |
| Burial | Henry VII's Chapel, Westminster Abbey |
| Spouse | Edmund, Duke of York
m. March 1580 |
| Issue | Richard, 2nd Duke of York Charlotte, Duchess of Pembroke |
| House | House of Conde (by birth)
House of Tudor (by marriage) |
| Father | Louis I de Bourbon, Prince of Conde |
| Mother | Eleanor de Roucy de Roye |
| Religion | Calvinism, later Anglican |
Madeleine de Bourbon (7 October 1563 - 13 June 1612) was the Duchess of York from her marriage to Edmund, Duke of York. Her marriage was a part of a series of marriage to major leaders of the French Huguenots and England. She was accepted by her mother-in-law, Queen Isabella and the Queen often referred to her as "Maddie". She disliked her sister-in-law, Catherine Michelle because of her Hapsburg roots although she was affectionate with her nieces. The majority of her daughters grew up under the tutelage of their grandmother.
Early Life[]
Not much is known about Madeleine's early life. She was the third daughter of Louis, Prince of Conde and Eleanor de Roucy de Roye. As a Bourbon, she was a Princess of the Blood in France. She was related to many Huguenot military leaders, such as her father and brothers, making her a valuable alliance for England.
Marriage[]
In 1580, she married Edmund, Duke of York in a public ceremony. She was reportedly described as beautiful, dutiful, and loving, traits that made her a good wife for the Duke. They had a deep friendship that blossomed into a love match by the time she delivered their first child. She spent her first few years in England in Yorkshire but was compelled to come to court after the birth of her second daughter, Elizabeth of York. She sent her children to Richmond Palace where they were raised by their grandmother. After the Dowager Queen's death in 1602, her children remained at Richmond Palace with the Duchess of Exeter for another two years. In 1604, Agnes Howard, the illegitimate daughter of the 4th Duke of Norfolk, was appointed as the new caretaker for the royal children.
Court Life[]
As the Duchess of York, she was an important court figure, holding precedence behind only the Queen and Queen Dowager. She had a hard relationship with Queen Catherine Michelle and the Duke of York was often left to step in and defend his wife from the Queen's slights. Once her husband was approached by the Queen Dowager to usurp his older brother in response to Alexander wanting to annul his marriage and marry his mistress, Madeleine warned her husband against it. He ultimately chose his mother's side and when he was arrested, Madeleine was placed on house arrest at York Palace. After her release, she was reluctant to return to court. However, when Elizabeth Howard became Queen, relations smoothed over. Elizabeth had a good rapport with the Duchess of York, even asking to be transferred to her household while she was Marchioness of Winchester.
Children[]
Madeleine de Bourbon married Edmund, Duke of York on 13 August 1580 and would have the following progeny:
- Richard of York, 2nd Duke of York who wed Lady Anne Woodville, daughter of Edward Woodville, 1st Marquess of Warwick and his first wife, Lady Mary Seymour. Had issue.
- Lady Elizabeth of York married Thomas, 6th Earl of Derby, son of Lady Rebecca Howard and Ferdinando, 5th Earl of Derby. They had three children: Ferdinando Stanley, 7th Earl of Derby, Lady Elizabeth Stanley, who married Sir Thomas Boleyn, son of Anthony Boleyn, 2nd Duke of Ormond and his wife, Lady Isabella Woodville and lastly, Lady Rebecca Stanley.
- Lord Edmund of York, married Lady Mary Talbot and had one daughter: Lady Bridget of York.
- Lady Anne of York married Henry Hastings, 5th Earl of Huntingdon and had four children: Lady Anne Hastings, Lady Alice Hastings, Edmund Hastings, 6th Earl of Huntingdon, and Lord Henry Hastings.
- Lady Charlotte of York married William Cecil, 2nd Duke of Pembroke and had five children. Edmund Cecil, 3rd Duke of Pembroke, who married his first cousin, Anne of York, daughter of Richard, 2nd Duke of York and Lady Anne Woodville, Lady Isabel Cecil, Lord William Cecil, Lady Anne Cecil, and Lady Honor Cecil.
- Lord Edward of York, married Lady Philadelphia Carey, daughter of Henry Carey, 1st Baron Hunsdon and his wife, Anne Morgan and had one daughter: Lady Magdalene of York.
- Lady Madeleine of York, married Robert Sidney, 1st Earl of Leicester and had five children: Robert Sidney, 2nd Earl of Leicester, Lady Barbara Sidney, Lady Mary Sidney, Lord Edmund Sidney, and Lady Bridget Sidney.
- Lord John of York, married Lady Lucy Percy, daughter of Henry Percy, 9th Earl of Northumberland and his wife, Lady Dorothy Devereaux, and had four children: Lord John of York, Lady Magdalene of York, Lady Lucy of York, and Lord Edward of York.
- Nicole of York, married George Gordon, 2nd Marquess of Huntly and had five children: Lady Anne Gordon, George Gordon, 3rd Marquess of Huntly, Lord Edmund Gordon, later married Anne of Lincoln, daughter and heiress of Prince Charles, Duke of Lincoln and his wife, Rebecca Boleyn, Lord James Gordon, and Lady Janet Gordon.