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Madame de Montespan

Madame de Montespan (Francoise Athenais, Marquise de Montespan) (1641-1707) was one of the best-known and most influential mistresses of King Louis XIV of France.

She was the daughter of the Duc de Mortemart, and married the Marquis de Montespan in 1663. This was her introduction to the royal court, and within five years she had become the king's mistress. Her husband was imprisoned in the Bastille and forced to divorce her. She reigned supreme at court until 1682, giving birth to seven children by the king during that period. However, her place was then taken by Madame de Maintenon[?], who had previously been governess to those same children. In 1691, she entered a convent where she remained for the rest of her life.



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