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The House of Lusignan was a royal house of French origin, which at various times ruled several principalities in Europe and the Levant, including the kingdoms of Jerusalem, Cyprus, and Armenia, from the 12th through the 15th centuries during the Middle Ages. It also had great influence in England and France.
Hugh VII the Brown of Lusignan or Hugues II de La Marche (1065–1151), Sire de Lusignan, Couhé and Château-Larcher and Count of La Marche, was the son of Hugh VI of Lusignan. He was one of the many notable Crusaders in the Lusignan family. In 1147 he took the Cross and followed King Louis VII of France on the Second Crusade.
Hugh X de Lusignan, Hugh V of La Marche or Hugh I of Angoulême was Seigneur de Lusignan and Count of La Marche in November 1219 and was Count of Angoulême by marriage. He was the son of Hugh IX.
Ermengarde, was a viscountess of Narbonne from 1134 to 1192. She was the daughter of Aimery II of Narbonne and his first wife, also named Ermengarde.
The Château de Beynac is a castle situated in the commune of Beynac-et-Cazenac, in the Dordogne département of France. The castle is one of the best-preserved and best known in the region.
Yolanda of Lusignan or Yolande I de Lusignan, Countess of La Marche was a French noblewoman and peeress. In 1308, she succeeded her brother Guy I as suo jure Dame of Lusignan, of Couhé and of Peyrat, and suo jure Countess of La Marche, but not as Countess of Angoulême since after her brother's death the county was sold by her sisters, Joan and Isabelle, to King Philip IV and annexed to the French Crown. Yolanda was also the heiress of Fougères, which she succeeded to upon her mother's death sometime after 1273.
The maîtresse-en-titre was the chief royal mistress of the King of France. The title was vaguely defined and used in the Middle Ages but finally became an acknowledged office during the reign of Henry IV and continued through the reign of Louis XV. It was a semi-official position which came with its own apartments, estates and a title if the woman did not have any. The position could come with significant power, even more influence than the Queen of France, as some mistresses were known to advise the King of France sometimes in state affairs if he was so infatuated, broker favors for clients, elevate others in social mobility, forge alliances and negotiate with foreign diplomats all the while supplying the king his emotional and physical needs at the same time enriching themselves in the relationship. In contrast, the title petite maîtresse was the title of a mistress who was not officially acknowledged.
The House of Rochechouart is the oldest noble family in France. This powerful dynasty of the Carolingian era dates back to Foucher, supporter of Charles the Bald, who became viscount (vicomte) of Limoges in 876. His descendants—Limoges, Rochechouart, Mortemart and Brosse—ruled over the area for several centuries, providing many different French regimes with politicians, soldiers, functionaries and other notable figures. The family is named after the town of Rochechouart.
Blanche de Brienne, Baroness Tingry was the wife of William II de Fiennes, Baron of Tingry. She was also known as Dame de La Loupelande, and Blanche of Acre.
Jeanne, Dame de Chateaudun was a French heiress and the wife of two French noblemen: Jean I de Montfort and John II of Brienne, Grand Butler of France.
The title of Duke de La Rochefoucauld is a French peerage, whose origins go back to Lord Rochefoucauld in Charente in the 10th century with Foucauld 1st (973–1047), first Lord of La Rochefoucauld, son of Adémar, Lord of La Roche (952–1037). They got the title of Baron in the 13th century, then became Count in 1528 with Francis I de La Rochefoucauld, godfather of King Francis I and in 1622, Francis V de La Rochefoucauld was made Duke by Louis XIII. They are also, since 16th century, Prince of Marcillac. They become during the 18th century: Duke of Liancourt, Duke of Anville and Duke of Estissac. They become during the 19th century: Prince de La Rochefoucauld-Montbel, Duke of Doudeauville, Duke of Estrees and Duke of Bisaccia. They are also: Marquees de Montendre, de Barbezieux, de Surgères and de Bayers; also Count de Duretal, Count de La Rochefoucauld-Montbel and Baron de Verteuil.
Madame Clicquot, née Barbe-Nicole Ponsardin, Widow Clicquot or Veuve Clicquot, known as the "Grande Dame of Champagne", was a French Champagne producer. She took on her husband's wine business when widowed at 27. Under her ownership, and her skill with wine, the company developed early champagne using a novel technique. The brand and company of Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin still bears her name.
Jeanne de Fougères, was ruling suo jure Lady of Fougères from 1256. She was the wife of Hugh XII of Lusignan, Count of La Marche and Count of Angoulême. Jeanne was responsible for the later additions and fortifications of the Chateau of Fougères which provided a greater stability for the town.
Louis-Victor-Léon de Rochechouart was a French general of the House of Rochechouart fighting in the Royalist, Imperial Russian and Bourbon armies of the Napoleonic Wars.
Louis Victor de Rochechouart, 2nd Duke of Mortemart and Duke of Vivonne was a French military officer and nobleman who was a member of the ancient House of Rochechouart. His father, Gabriel de Rochechouart de Mortemart, was a childhood friend of Louis XIII. His older sister was Gabrielle de Rochechouart de Mortemart, a celebrated beauty of the era; another sister was Madame de Montespan, the mistress of Louis XIV. He was made a Marshal of France.
Anne de Rochechouart, was a wealthy French aristocrat. She inherited a large fortune from her great-grandmother, the founder of the Veuve Clicquot Champagne house. She was known for her involvement in feminist causes and charities, politics, sport hunting, automobiles and the arts, and was an accomplished author and sculptor, the latter using the name Manuela.
Ingram de Percy, Lord of Dalton and Levington, was an English noble.
Gabrielle de Rochechouart, dame de Lansac, was a lady-in-waiting, a Dame d'honneur or Dame du Palais to Catherine de' Medici.
References
- Aubert de La Chesnaye Desbois, François Alexandre. Dictionnaire de la noblesse ... de France; 2nd ed. 1778.