A Biographical Dictionary of the Celebrated Women of Every Age and Country/Albert, (Jane d')
ALBERT, (JANE D') Daughter of Albert II. King of Navarre, and Margaret de Valois. Died 1572, aged 44.
Was contracted, while a child, to the duke of Cleves, by her uncle, Francis I. king of Navarre; but, as this marriage was disagreeable to the young princess, as well as to many of her friends, the Pope was afterwards prevailed upon to cancel it, though the ceremony had been performed.
At twenty years of age, she was married to Anthony de Bourbon, duke de Vendome, by whom she had three sons. The two first dying in consequence of the improper management and carelessness of their nurses, the king of Navarre was anxious to take the charge of the last upon himself; and prevailed on, his daughter, when her time drew near, to leave her husband, whom she had accompanied to the wars in Picardy, and return to him for this purpose.
Jane had been long anxious to see the will of her father. It was in a large gold box, on which was also a chain of gold, that would pass twenty or thirty times times round the neck. She asked him to grant her this favour; and he promised it, upon condition, that, on the birth of her infant, she would sing a Bernese song. In the night of the 13th of December, 1553, Henry, afterwards the IVth of France, was born, and Jane had resolution enough to fulfil her engagement, beginning a little hymn to the Virgin, as her father entered the room. The latter took the chain of gold from his neck, and gave her the box which contained his will, saying, "These are for you, my daughter; but this is mine!" putting the child under his robe, and carrying it to his chamber.
On the death of Albert II. in 1555, she became queen of Navarre; and, in unison with her husband, showed all the countenance the spirit of the times would permit, to the reformed religion, which then began to gain ground. This predilection was, however, so apparent, that it gave great offence, particularly to the court of France, which they visited in 1558, to do away by their presence the impressions received against them. Yet, the conduct of Anthony did not favour this purpose: his zeal seemed daily to increase, till Jane, on whom the pleasures of the French court had made a great impression, remonstrated with him on his want of caution, and urged the sacrifices such a line of conduct might oblige them to make.
He was not to be persuaded; but the mind, which then worldly prudence could not influence, was afterwards seduced by ambition, and the deep policy of Catherine de Medicis. This weak prince, after openly breaking with the French court, declaring for the Protestants, and putting himself at their head, was led, by visionary prospects of advantage, to desert their cause, and join with their persecutors.
The zeal of Jane had once suffered a temporary relaxation, but the fascination of pleasure seemed to expire with its novelty, and she was no longer inclined to temporize, much less abjure, her opinions. She resisted all the entreaties of her husband; but his injurious treatment in consequence, soon obliged her to leave him in France, where they then were, and return to her native country, Anthony survived but two years, dying in 1562, after recanting his recantation, and declaring, that were his life spared, he would further the Protestant interest with more fervour than ever.
The faith and views of Jane were now decided and understood. She provided for the safety of her kingdom, she put her son under the care of a Huguenot professor, and adopted the most vigorous means to preserve her authority against the insurrections of her Catholic subjects, and the menaces of the court of Rome, before which, in 1563, she was in vain cited to appear.
She declared herself, in 1566, the protectress of the Protestants, and went to Rochelie, where she devoted her son to the defence of the reformed religion, and caused medals to be struck, with these words, a safe peace, a complete victory, a glorious death! She did every thing in her power for the advancement of the cause of religious liberty; and used to say, that liberty of conscience ought to be preferred before honours, dignities, and life itself! She caused the New Testament, the Catechism, and the Liturgy of Geneva, to be translated and printed at Rochelle. She abolished popery, and established protestantism in her own dominions. In her leisure hours, she expressed her zeal by working tapestries with her own hands, in which she represented the monuments of that religious liberty she sought to establish. One suit consisted of twelve pieces: on each was represented some Scripture history of deliverance. Israel's coming out of Egypt; Joseph's release from prison, or something of the like kind. On the top of each were these words, Where the spirit is, there is liberty! and, in the comers, broken chains, fetters, and gibbets. They were worked in fashionable patterns; and dextrously directed the needles of the ladies to help forward the reformation. Brave and eloquent, Jane neglected nothing that heroism or prudence could dictate. Her jewels were mortgaged, without reluctance, for the support of the troops; and a peace, very advantageous to the Protestants, was concluded in 1570.
The court of France then proposed a marriage between Charles the IXth's sister and the young prince, Henry, and pretended that they were going to war with Spain, the implacable enemy of Jane d'Albert. These measures were enforced with the appearance of so much sincerity, that the queen, who long continued doubtful and suspicious, at length yielded, and prepared for the journey to Paris, in May 1572. Her reception was kind and gracious in the extreme; but, after an illness of five days, she died on June 10th, 1572, thus escaping the impending horrors of St. Bartholomew, which proved fatal to many of her best friends. At first, she was thought to have been poisoned; but on opening her body, nothing was found to corroborate the suspicion.
This princess left many writings, both in prose and verse. The greatness of her mind and talents have been acknowledged even by her enemies; and the Protestant religion has seldom had so firm and conscientious a friend. The character and fate of her son is well known. She left, likewise, a daughter, who inherited her mother's heart and talents, and continued faithful to the religion in which she had been instructed.
Jane d'Albert desired to be buried, without pomp, in the tomb of her father.