A Cyclopaedia of Female Biography/Henrietta of England

4120567A Cyclopaedia of Female Biography — Henrietta of England

HENRIETTA OF ENGLAND,

Daughter of the unfortunate Charles the First, and grand-daughter of Henry the Fourth of France, married, in 1661, Philip of France, Duke of Orleans, and brother of Louis the Fourteenth; but this marriage was not a happy one. However she was a great favourite with the king, who often joined in the brilliant assembly of rank and genius which she collected around her. She also had much influence over her brother, Charles the Second; and negotiated an important treaty with England against Holland, which the most skilful diplomatists had long solicited in vain.

This princess died at St. Cloud, in 1670, at the age of twenty-six. There were some suspicions that she was poisoned. She was universally regretted; her sweetness of manners, and her grace and beauty, rendering her a great favourite. Bossuet pronounced her funeral oration.