A Biographical Dictionary of the Celebrated Women of Every Age and Country/Beaujeu, (Anne, Lady of)
BEAUJEU, (ANNE, LADY OF) Regent of France, Duchess of Bourbon, Daughter of Lewis XI. Born 1462, died 1522.
This princess was so distinguished for her political knowledge, that her father feared to give her a husband with a mind firm and enterprising like her own, lest he should render her too powerful. For this reason, he married her to Peter of Bourbon, count of Beaujeu, a man of an indolent temper and narrow mind. The confidents of Anne said, that "to marry her to such a husband, was to unite the living to the dead!" Notwithstanding this, she lived happily with him, and he gave place, willingly, to her superior talents. Though, during his life, Lewis XI. had been jealous of the abilities of his daughter, he believed, that after his death, she alone could rule the factious nobility, and make her brother Charles VIII. reign in peace. Dying, he left her, by will, the regency of the kingdom, till her brother, then only thirteen years of age, became old enough to govern by himself
Anne thought it a point of honour to fulfil the expectations of her father, so that the people should not murmur at his choice; but the appointment of Lewis was disputed by the duke of Orleans, afterwards Lewis XII. presumptive heir to the crown; but yet young and inexperienced; and by the duke of Bourbon, prince of the blood also, who was sixty years of age, and respected for the services he had rendered the state. In these delicate circumstances, the countess behaved with admirable prudence. She engaged them, to leave the decision to the states, and afterwards gained over the duke of Bourbon, by her eloquence, and by granting him the place of constable of France.
After obtaining this advantage, Anne was not idle; and her plans succeeded so well, that her regency was confirmed. The duke of Orleans was so much hurt by this affront, that his resentment against the countess led him, in an unguarded moment, to speak disrespectfully of her, even hi the presence. Sensible of his imprudence, he fled to the duke d'Alençon, and a civil war ensued. The duke of Orleans was made captive at the battle of St. Aubin, and Anne kept him in prison for three years.
It was her ambition to unite Brittany to France; and on the death of its duke, Francis II. she effected her purpose by the marriage of Charles VIII. with Anne, his daughter and heiress. The brilliancy of this action was diminished by the restitution of Roussillon and la Cerdaigne, to the king of Spain, without exacting the payment of the money lent upon it. It is said a monk, who was her confessor, gained by Ferdinand, made her believe, that the soul of her father could not come out of purgatory till this was done. It is more rational to believe this wise princess was either influenced by political motives, now unknown—or felt that it was just.
On the death of Charles VIII. in 1498, the duke of Orleans mounted the throne: and it was supposed Anne would suffer from his resentment; but Lewis nobly declared, that the king of France could not revenge the duke of Orleans. He did not even deprive her of the place she held in council.