Louise-Élisabeth de Croÿ de Tourzel was a French noblewoman and courtier, as the Marquise of Tourzel. She was the Governess of the Children of France from 1789 until 1792. Decades after the French Revolution, Louise-Élisabeth published her memoirs, which presented a unique perspective on the royal family during the French Revolution. She later acquired the title of duchess.
Hortense Mancini, Duchess of Mazarin, was a niece of Cardinal Mazarin, chief minister of France, and a mistress of Charles II, King of England, Scotland, and Ireland. She was the fourth of the five famous Mancini sisters, who, along with two of their female Martinozzi cousins, were known at the court of King Louis XIV of France as the Mazarinettes.
Charlotte de La Motte Houdancourt, Duchess of Ventadour was a French office holder of the French Royal Court. She was the governess of King Louis XV of France, great-grandson of King Louis XIV. She is credited with saving Louis XV from the ministrations of the royal doctors when he was ill as a child. She was the Gouvernante des enfants royaux, Governess of the Children of France like her mother, granddaughter, granddaughter in law and great grand daughter.
Jacques Henri de Durfort, 1st Duke of Duras was Marshal of France.
Marie Brûlart, duchesse de Luynes, was a French court official and close friend and confidante to Louis XV's queen consort, Marie Leszczyńska, whom she attended at Versailles for nearly thirty years (1735–63).
Marie Louise de Rohan, also known as Madame de Marsan, was the governess of Louis XVI of France and his siblings. She was an influential figure of the French court and a driving force of the Dévots and the conservative fraction of the court nobility.
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.
Philippe, Comte de la Mothe-Houdancourt was a French soldier and Marshal of France, who served as Viceroy of Catalonia when it was occupied by France during the Franco-Spanish War. He was awarded the Spanish title of Duke of Cardona in 1642, but this was disputed and not commonly used.
Anne Julie de Melun was a French court office holder. She served as deputy Governess of the Children of France.
Anne Geneviève de Lévis was a French noblewoman. She was Princess of Turenne by her first marriage and Duchess of Rohan-Rohan, Princess of Soubise by her second marriage. Anne Geneviève was the only child of Madame de Ventadour, governess of the young Louis XV. She married twice and had children with her second husband. She died in Paris aged 54.
Hercule Mériadec de Rohan, styled Duke of Rohan-Rohan, was a member of the princely House of Rohan. He married twice and was the grandfather of the Maréchal de Soubise. His first wife was the daughter of Madame de Ventadour. He is known in contemporary texts as the prince de Rohan.
Louise de Rohan was a French noblewoman and Princess of Guéméné by marriage.
Louis Charles de Lévis was a French nobleman and Duke of Ventadour. His wife was the governess of the infant Louis XV and his only child Anne Geneviève made two prestigious marriages into contemporary nobility.
Marie Isabelle de Rohan was a French noblewoman and grand daughter of Madame de Ventadour. Marie Isabelle was the governess of the children of Louis XV and his consort Marie Leszczyńska.
Louise de Prie de La Mothe-Houdancourt (1624–1709), was a French noblewoman and court official. She served as royal governess to the children of king Louis XIV of France in 1661–1672, to the children of Louis, Grand Dauphin in 1682–1691, and finnally to the children of Louis, Duke of Burgundy in 1704–1709.
The Dame du Palais, originally only Dame, was an historical office in the Royal Court of France. It was a title of a lady-in-waiting holding the official position of personal attendant on a female member of the French Royal Family. The position was traditionally held by a female member of a noble family. They were ranked between the Première dame d'honneur and the Fille d'honneur. They had previously been styled 'Dames'.
Marie Angélique de Mackau née de Fitte de Soucy (1723-1801), was a French court office holder. She was royal governess to Élisabeth of France (1764–1794) and later to the children of Louis XVI of France and Marie Antoinette from 1771 and 1792.
Marie Isabelle Gabrielle Angélique de Saint-Nectaire, Duchesse de La Ferté-Senneterre was a French noblewoman and court official who served as the Governess of the Children of France from 1709 to 1710.
Armande Félice de La Porte Mazarin (1691–1729), was a French noblewoman, courtier and duelist. She is known for the famous duel she fought over her lover with another woman, for being a figure of scandal during the Regency period, and for being the mother of the Nesle sisters, mistresses to Louis XV.
