Marie-Félicie des Ursins

Marie-Félicie des Ursins (Italian: Maria Felice Orsini; 11 November 1600 – 5 June 1666) was the wife of Henri II de Montmorency, governor of Languedoc.

Marie-Félicie des Ursins
Died5 June 1666 

She was born into the House of Orsini in the Pitti Palace, Florence as the second child and only daughter of Prince Virginio Orsini Duke of Bracciano and his wife, Flavia Damasceni-Peretti, sister of Alessandro Peretti di Montalto. Wise and pious, very focused on charity and good works, she lived at the Château of Chantilly, choosing to reside in a cottage ("Sylvie's House") in the park in order to escape the bustle of the main building. The duchesse de Montmorency retired permanently to the Convent of the Visitation at Moulins-sur-Allier after her husband was executed for treason on 30 October 1632. She died there, aged 65.

Her inspiring life and character, combining tenderness and strength, earned her the admiration of contemporaries and the praise of many poets. It was Théophile de Viau who gave her the nickname "Sylvie" in reference to her love of woodland animals. She gave the libertine poet her friendship and protection. La Silvanire by Jean Mairet is dedicated to her.

Bibliography
  • Mémoires sur la vie de Marie Félicie des Ursins de Montmorency. Mgr. Paul Fliche. Poitiers: H. Oudin frères, 1877. (2 vols)
  • Le journal des Demoiselles, A. Chevalier, 15 October 1900.


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