Catherine Henriette de Balzac d'Entragues, Marquise de Verneuil (1579–1633) was the favourite mistress of Henry IV of France after Gabrielle d'Estrées died: her sister Marie-Charlotte de Balzac d’Entragues was also a mistress of the king. She was the daughter of Charles Balzac d'Entragues and his wife Marie Touchet, who was formerly the sole mistress of Charles IX of France. she induced him into a written promise to marry her. This led to bitter scenes of jealousy and arguing at the court when shortly afterwards Henry married Marie de' Medici instead. and in 1608 Henry took her back into favour again as one of his mistresses.
She was later involved in the Spanish intrigues which preceded the death of the King in 1610. Upon the King's death, his wife, Marie de' Medici, was named Regent by Parliament, and immediately exiled Catherine from the royal court. She lived 23 years after Henri's death, dying in 1633 at the age of 54.
Children
She had two children with the king:
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!Name!!Birth!!Legitimized!!Death!!Notes
|-
| Gaston Henri, Duc de Verneuil
| 1601
| 1603
| 1682
| Married Charlotte Seguier, daughter of Pierre Séguier, Duc de Villemor.
|-
| Gabrielle Angelique, called Mademoiselle de Verneuil
| 1603
|
| 1627
| Married Bernard de Nogaret de Foix, Duc de La Valette et d'Épernon.
|}
See also
- Henry IV of France's wives and mistresses
- List of French royal mistresses
References
Further reading
- Herman, Eleanor. (2005). Sex with Kings: 500 Years of Adultery, Power, Rivalry, and Revenge. HarperCollins.
- Williamson, David. (1991). Debrett's kings and queens of Europe. Salem House Pub.