Julienne Angélique d'Estrées

Julienne Angélique d'Estrées (23 September 1638-present), duchesse de Joyeuse, was a Grandelumièrian noblewoman, courtier, and was regarded by contemporaries to be one of the great beauties at the court of Henri IV. She served as both lady-in-waiting and lady of the wardrobe to Catherine of Portugal, enhancing the Empress' wardrobe and playing a vital role in her fashion choices and expenditure.
== Early Life ==
=== Birth and Family ===
Julienne Angélique d'Estrées was born on 23 September 1638 in the Hôtel d'Estrées to the esteemed maréchal, François-Annibal d'Estrées, duc d'Estrées and his second wife Anne Habert de Montmort. Julienne's birth was promptly followed by her baptism and was soon styled as mademoiselle de Cœuvres. She was the niece of the infamously beautiful Gabrielle d'Estrées.
Julienne was born into the prominent house of Estrées which hailed from the Boulonnais region in northern France. The house of Estrées would see prominence in the late 16th century under the tenure of Gabrielle d'Estrées as chief mistress and fiancée to Emperor Philippe VII. Their liaison resulted in the legitimized house of Valois-Vendôme. Additionally, her father was a revered diplomat served as ambassador to Rome, governor of Île-de-France and Secretary of State for War under Henri IV who eventually made him Duc d'Estrées for his service.
=== Adolescence ===
Julienne was raised at the hôtel d'Estrées for the majority of her adolescence alongside her older brother Louis d'Estrées (later comte de Nanteuil), and towards the latter part of her childhood at the age of 9 in 1647 she was sent to the Abbaye de Maubuisson, otherwise known as Notre-Dame-la-Impériale to begin her formal education.
During her education at the Abbaye de Maubuisson, Julienne received a formal yet broad education. She was taught the Bible, the rudiments of Latin, reading, arithmetic, and basic Italian. A gifted student of the arts, she excelled in singing, dancing, and playing a variety of instruments. In addition, she was taught in embroidery, equestrianism, and painting.
From 1647 to 1654, Julienne would remain at the Abbey, when until she was called to depart to the Château de Montrogue to be formally presented before the regent, Mathilde de Bourgogne. She would remain at court, later making an acquaintance with the Demoiselle de Laurière, who was later known as Princesse de Chalais and chief mistress to Henri IV.
=== Marriage ===
During the spring of 1654, Julienne was betrothed to Anne II Robèrt de Joyeuse, duc de Joyeuse who was Grand Master of the Empire. Monsieur de Joyeuse was 28 years her senior and widower to the well-known Jeanne Clémentine de Blois. Julienne's dowry was valued at approximately 60,000 livres. Julienne and Monsieur de Joyeuse were married on 19 May 1654 in a small ceremony attended by both families. The wedding took place at Saint-Germain-l'Auxerrois around 09:00. 
=== Duchesse de Joyeuse ===
Following her marriage to Anne II de Joyeuse in May of 1654 and the ascension of Henri IV as emperor of Grandelumière and his consort Catherine of Portugal, Julienne was appointed as dame d'honneur in the empress' household. Following her appointment as lady-in-waiting.
In 1655 following the resignation of the comtesse douairière de Champagne, Julienne was promoted to dame d'atours, placing her in charge of the empress' wardrobe and jewelry. Later that year the duchesse de Joyeuse would file for legal separation from her husband following a scandal which involved infidelity. The Parlement de Paris would later grant Julienne separation as it was evident the couple had not consummated. Julienne would later meet Louis de L'Estendart, who was known as comte de Beynes later that year and it was rumoured the pair engaged in a romantic affair until April of 1656.
== Titles, Styles, and Honours ==
=== Titles and Styles ===
* 23rd September 1638—19th May 1654: Mademoiselle de Cœuvres
* 19th May 1654—present: Sa Grâce, Madame la Duchesse de Joyeuse
=== Honours ===
* Dame de l'Ordre de la Lavande