What kind of history do you like?

Agnes Sorel's tomb in the church of St Ours in Loches

The kind of history I like is that of those on the margins of society and I have a particualr fascination for Royal Mistresses, such as Agnes Sorel mentioned above. This woman, mistress of Charles VII of France is in fact a major ancestress of most royal houses of today through her three daughters by the king, Maris, Charlotte and Jeanne. Charlotte's son Louis de Brézé married Diane de Poitiers, another famous royal mistress, seen below.

Diane de Poitiers, wife of Louis de Brézé, grandson of Agnes Sorel, she was mistress to Henri II of France

Agnes Sorel was the model for this Virgin and Child surrounded by angels by Jean Fouquet 1450

Agnes was the first woman to carry the official title Royal Mistress and to be openly acknowledged as such. Charles VII built a tower, especially for her, seen here on the left of the picture in his chateau at Loches, which can still be seen today. 

Chateau de Loches

Agnes was poisoned with mercury at the age of 28 in 1450. Tests undertaken on her body in 2005 proved mercury poisoning but it cannot be definitively claimed that she was murdered as mercury was used in cosmetics or as a treatment for worms. it is a pity that she did not have coriander to hand, this may have saved her life. She was succeeded by her cousin Antoinette de Maignelais as  throughout history Royal Mistresses have come from a few families which have,  in succeeding generations fed the desires of subsequent rulers. 

Loches is a 40 minute drive from Opening Space Retreat and is well worth a visit for its chateau, its food and antique markets and its culture.