Claude de Stuart de Moray

Claude de Stuart de Moray, Comtesse du Plessis-Le-Chastel, (9th September 1618 - Present) was a Grandelumièrian and Scottish noblewoman, courtier, and the third-born daughter of the late Jacques III de Stuart de Moray; the Comte de Moray. Though her marriage into the Retz-Rothelin bloodline, she has the status of Princesse Étranger. Her incumbent royal lineage and ancestry to King James V of Scotland makes her also distantly related to Charles X & II and Henri III & I of Grandelumière.
== Biography ==
=== Birth and Childhood ===
Claude de Stuart de Moray was born on the 9th of September 1618 in the Hôtel de Joyeuse, which was where she would be raised for a majority of her childhood. She would be the second-born daughter to Jacques III de Stuart de Moray, Comte de Moray, and his wife Henriette Catherine de Joyeuse the Mademoiselle de Joyeuse. Upon her birth, she would be granted the title of Mademoiselle de Moray. She would be followed by two younger sisters, Élisabeth (1619-) and Marguerite (1621-).
During her time at the Hôtel de Joyeuse, she would obviously grow fond with the direct members of the Maison de Joyeuse. Claude herself recalls fonder memories of exploring the halls and playing with her elder sister Louise Catherine, whom she considered her closest sister. From 1618 to 1629, she was free to roam; without ever truly knowing what her parents were like or what they ever wanted her to be. She would begin to look up to her eldest brother Jacques, who was heir to the County of Moray from birth. He was the one often stopping Claude from getting into trouble when her other siblings were causing mischief of their own. She would often refer to him as "Frère Protecteur", in reference to his protective nature over her.
=== Adolescence ===
By the summer of 1629 Claude would have been sent away to the Abbaye de Ronceray d'Angers, where she would be taught the various basics and necessities of a noblewoman. While there, the Mademoiselle's aunt the Abbesse de Roneceray d'Angers had seen potential for her early on. As the Abbesse was growing older, she realized that she would eventually need an heir or heiress to hold onto the Abbey once she had passed; and she set her eyes on Claude. 
However, after being educated on a number of important religious topics suitable for a future Abbesse, the only eleven year old Claude had rejected this path completely. She often complained about wearing the traditonal habit, describing it as "too hot" and "gripping". By the age of fifteen, she would finally be released from the Abbey and towards the Chateau de Dun-le-Roi, a nearby familial residence.
=== Engagement and Marriage ===
The winter of 1633 came, and by this time Claude was now only sixteen years old. Marriage options became readily available to the young Mademoiselle, and by only the spring of the same year she would be betrothed and engaged to the Baron du Plessis-Le-Chastel, heir and successor to the title of Marquis des Îles d'Hyères. Their marriage was rather tame for their houses, Claude wearing a simple yellow gown befitted with various types of jewels, including emeralds and small cuts of sardonyx. It was then decided that she was to move away from her family home, and to the Hôtel de Gondi. She would remain there with her new family until she was brought to court in 1634.
== Court of Marguerite d'Autriche-Styrie ==
=== Presentation ===
The newly made Baronne du Plessis-Le-Chastel had arrived at a rather difficult time, as the notorious Maison de Lorraine-Guise had decided to openly rebel against the crown due to what they saw as an act of disrespect upon their family. Alongside the personal fued of the Monsieur and His Majesty, this only further fueled division. Thus, the court was divided among-st each other and friends were separated. And so, she would have not been presented to His Majesty right away. Instead, she would first be introduced to the Empress-Dowager of Grandelumière, Marguerite d'Autriche-Styrie by her other aunt the Comtesse de Joigny. The young baroness and dowager would have been in the midst of an art exhibition, hosted by Her Majesty herself. The two seemed to mutually bond over the art presented, Claude even describing a particularly bold piece as: "A bird that is resting, when it is due to fly." 
=== Household Appointments ===
During only the same year as her presentation, Claude would have fully caught the eye and favor of the Empress-Dowager. One of the main things noted by Her Majesty was her sense of meticulous fashion and her keen eye for colors. In seeing this, she would make a very worthy candidate as Marguerite d'Autriche-Styrie's Dame d'Atour. And so in the spring of 1634, Claude would be officially sworn in to her duty as the only Dame d'Atour à l'Impératrice-Douairière. The Baronne du Plessis-Le-Chastel became a common name heard through out the Empress-Dowager's court, as she was known as one of the youngest Mesdames to ever be appointed to the position, being only sixteen years of age when she was sworn in. With the Comtesse de Joigny's tutelage and expertise in matters of the household, Claude became a hard-working and ever bustling companion and confidante to Marguerite d'Autriche-Styrie.
== Transfer to the Court of Charles X & II ==
In August of the same year, the two parties had finally reached a compromise. And with this, this allowed the two courts to return back to the Quartier de Louvre in Paris. During this time, the young Baronne would be able to experience a more fuller court with more faces. Claude felt relieved and at ease for the time being, remarking to the Empress-Dowager; "It has finally ended, Majeste." However, in a rather mysterious response the Empress-Dowager had only simply whispered back; "Ma chérie, ça ne fait que commencer." which was later translated to mean; "My dear, it is only beginning."
Claude would have spent much time thinking on what Her Majesty had said to her during the fateful day of the signing. And this would bring the return of a sense of lingering weariness that had only began to fade. With this, she had decided something for herself. That she needed to gain allies, powerful allies to protect her if all else fails. Of course, this began with the Empress-Dowager herself who had favored her greatly; but this couldn't simply be enough. It was during this time, that she would begin to estrange herself from her remaining siblings of the Maison de Stuart de Moray in favor for the more wealthy and influential Maison de Gondi. However, she was known to keep a close connection to her eldest brother the now Comte de Moray. It was at this time that her brother would suddenly depart from court, leaving Claude only able to communicate with him via letters. An excerpt of one particular letter highlights her worry for him, and how she continued to wonder where he had gone. 
"Mon cher frere, I am blessed to know that you are of sound mind. As you are still receiving my letters, and that you are sane enough to respond to them. Your wife misses you dearly, she tells me such everyday. Return soon, our family needs its patriarch."
During the year of 1638, the Comte de Moray would finally return to court. He would be met with open arms by his younger sister, and her worries of him seemed to vanish. 
=== The Elevation of the Barony of Plessis-Le-Chastel ===
As part of the Treaty of 1634, the demands of the Maison de Gondi were heeded. These said demands included the elevation of the Barony of Plessis-Le-Chastel to a fuller and more prosperous County. And once the parchment was signed from both ends, the Maison de Gondi had gained exactly what they wanted. This would mean, that the now Comtesse du Plessis-Le-Chastel would have more money and influence to her name, alongside her husband the also now Comte du Plessis-Le-Chastel. Upon her elevation, she would be given her own room in the Quartier de Louvre by Marguerite d'Autriche-Styrie, as a true noble. This would give her the freedom to host newly gained friends and family, this included her tante the Abbesse de Ronceray d'Angers, the Duchesse de Joyeuse, and later the then Marquise de Vivonne.
=== Status as Princesse Étranger ===
On November of 1640, a newly discussed topic was introduced into the Maison de Gondi and it’s ”Golden Isle” branch. The Duc de Rets and Marquis de Îles d'Hyères argued that their direct relation to the Orléan-Longueville line via their mere the Duchess Dowager of Retz, made them more than eligible to inherit the Marquisate of Rothelin; after the previous Marquis et Marquise died due to the spread of the Bubonic Plague. And as such, it would be brought to the attention of the Petit Council. The motion would be granted, and the designated holder of the title would be none other than Claude’s father in law. This meant the title would be passed down to her husband once he passed, making her also the future Marquise de Rothelin. As the land of Rothelin was of German land and royalty, the immediate members of Maison de Gondi became royalty as a result. This included the Comte et Comtesse du Plessis.
Claude relished in this new found importance and extended wealth, and often used her pension to further her goals in fashion and design. 
=== Unrest of the People ===
During the late part of 1640, the people of Grandelumière would begin to revolt against the nobility. This would be sparked by the execution of the Assassin of Charles X & II, where they would attack the travelling nobles in the Palais de Justice. Claude herself was not present at the execution, or with the other nobles as she did not want to witness such blood and gore. Upon their return, they were disgruntled and just out of arm's reach of imminent harm. This would upset her greatly, as a majority of her family and in-laws including the Baron de Couches would have been attacked. Due to this, and alongside the Monsieur's inner circle, she would have opted to transfer most of her belongings to the Château de Blois, located far away from Paris in Loire. Despite having her belongings transferred, she would remain at the Louvre to be with her family; and to bring emotional comfort to her lover.
=== Courtly Relationships ===
Over time, Claude would have developed her own circle of friends. This would include a de-facto path into the Monsieur, also known as the Duc de Bourgogne's own circle. The Marquise de Vivonne would prove to be a closer non-blood related friend of hers, the two often related to each other with their senses of fashion and modern thinking. The Duchesse de Joyeuse and Duchesse de Bouillon would also befriend Claude, through their familial relations. She would also befriend the Cardinal de Guise, whom she would have a brief affair with in 1639. Afterwards, she would befriend the Baron de Couches; who was her brother in law. They bonded over their mutual love of culture and ecclesiastical topics. Soon enough, on the morning of November 20th, 1640; the two would find themselves entangled in an embrace of pure passion. It was short, but powerful enough to cement a love between them. During the month of June 1647, the two would have been surprised to find out the Comtesse was pregnant with their own child. With the help of the Gondi, they were able to cement her as supposedly just another daughter of the Comte and Comtesse.
Her friendship with the Duc de Bourgogne would only prove to be a positive asset, as she would become an essential member of the Conseil de Vauriennerie, which involved the planning and hosting of libertine parties led by the Duc himself. Her role would be as the Maîtresse en Décoratrices, where she would be responsible for making the place of each event look as presentable as possible. And during the unrest of the public during the 1640's, she'd be known to head back and forth between the Château de Blois and wherever the Grand Empress-Dowager Marguerite d'Autriche would be residing. 
== Personality & Appearance ==
=== Personality ===
Claude is known to have a keen eye for fashion, alongside her meticulous maintaining of her own appearance. She has a kinder disposition than what many seem to think of her, often being overshadowed by her rather harsh and seemingly judgmental appearance. She was known to be ahead of her time, often bringing about new fashion trends via her inner circle. She would be influenced by them greatly, and as such would grow up to have a somewhat libertine outlook on how others should live, unknown to most. Aside from this, she is more known to be a hard-working lady and a dependable figure. Claude was also known to sport a certain type of humor and sarcasm, most say was exclusive to her. 
=== Appearance ===
The young Comtesse was known to be a rather attractive figure, her slender face and nose alongside her bright illustrious curls made her quite favorable to the eye. Her body was also just as fair, not being too slender or too round; though it was only average in comparison to her facial features. She stood at a modest 5'1", not being overly tall or short. 
== Issue ==
On the 29th of August, the Comtesse du Plessis-Le-Chastel would produce her first child and heir to the County, the issue follows as such:
* Charles Léonor de Gondi-Rothelin, Marquis de Belle-Île (29th August 1634 - Present)
* Marie-Claude de Gondi-Rothelin, Duchesse de Montmorency (4th February 1635 - Present)
* Thérèse-Charlotte de Gondi-Rothelin, Mademoiselle de Dampierre (4th February 1635 - Present)
* Gabriel Henri de Gondi-Rothelin, Évêque de Sarlat (13th January 1638 - Present)
* Henriette-Adélaïde de Gondi-Rothelin, Mademoiselle de Porquerolles (19th March 1639 - Present)
The Comtesse would also have a pair of illegitimate children with the Baron de Couches, the issue follows as such. 
* Élisabeth-Marie de Gondi-Rothelin, Mademoiselle du Plessis-Le-Chastel (15th June 1647 - Present)
* 
== Titles & Styles ==
9th September 1618 - 7th May 1633: Mademoiselle de Moray
7th May 1633 - 22nd August 1634: Sa Seigneurie, Baronne du Plessis-Le-Chastel
22nd August 1634 - 7th November 1640: Sa Seigneurie, Comtesse du Plessis-Le-Chastel
7th November 1640 - Present: Son Altesse, Comtesse du Plessis-Le-Chastel Category:House of Stuart de Galloway
Category:Grandelumièrian Nobility
Category:Grandelumièrian Baronesses
Category:Grandelumièrian Countesses
Category:Princesse Etranger
Category:House of Gondi