Marie de Perrenot de Granvelle

## Gräfin van Haeghen

Gräfin van Haeghen, Marie de Perrenot de Granvelle, 1573

Catherine van Eesbeek, Jonkvrouw van Grimbergen

Frédéric van Eesbeek, Heer van Eesbeek

Jason van Eesbeek, Heer van Haeghen

Jean-Antoine van Eesbeek, Heer van Wachtendonck

Juste van Eesbeek, Heer van Beusecum

Philippe van Eesbeek, Heer van Bemmel

**Marie de Perrenot de Granvelle** (29th September 1551 - ) is the natural daughter of Antoine de Perrenot de Granvelle, Cardinal de Granvelle and his maîtresse, Marguerite de Tassis. She is the current Gräfin van Haeghen, through her marriage to Jean van Eesbeek, Graaf van Haeghen.

Being the only child of the influential Cardinal de Granvelle, her childhood was strongly influenced by the Church. Marie was at one point considered one of the most eligible brides in Europe due to her father. She is renowned for her piety, intelligence, and political opinions, which was not common for a woman at the time. Her stubbornness and large ego make her have an unwelcoming and cold demeanor.

## Biography

### Birth

Marie de Perrenot de Granvelle was born on the 29th of September in 1551 at the Paleis van Mechelen, Mechelen, in the Duchy of Brabant, to Antoine de Perrenot de Granvelle and Marguerite de Tassis. At the time of her birth, her father was not yet made the Cardinal de Granvelle, and was at that point the Bisschop d'Arras. Her mother was his maîtresse, the two having had a 15-year-long affair. Although her birth was not outwardly celebrated, the Cardinal was said to have been pleased. The birth was an easy one, even though that day there was torrential down pour which caused the Paleis to be locked down. There were few people in the room since her mother's pregnancy was concealed.

### Early Life

Marie lived with her mother at one of her father's many residences, the Paleis van Mechelen. She was kept away from the Burgundian Court and her father. She did not see him often, but when she did, he would bring lavish gifts to spoil her with. She grew up among a small court at Mechelen, where she had many friends to play with. She was well taken care of and was given priority in most situations. When her father did visit, Marie was always put first in his eyes. She took communion first, knelt next to him during mass, and ate next to him during dinners. She was one of few that could speak to her father open and honestly, and was curious about politics even from a young age. During the Cardinal's absences, Marie looked to her mother for guidance on such matters, which was usually met with confusion and annoyance. Her mother considered her interests "not lady-like" and scolded her on multiple occasions for this. Regardless, Marie continued to her open conversations with her father on the matter.

### Education

At the age of six, Marie was moved to the Convent van Maerlant, right outside of Brussels, to begin her education. The convent was picked by her father, seeing as it was built in the authority of a Papal Bull in 1435. Being away for the first time in her life, Marie found it incredibly hard to adjust and make friends. She spent long periods of time isolated in her rooms. Being the Cardinal's daughter, she was given special treatment at the convent by the nuns. She did not have to do chores or help any of the other girls with theirs. She was allowed to free roam the grounds and spend extended periods of time with the Abbesse.

She was extremely well-educated, due to her father. The Cardinal brought private tudors to the convent for her, in addition to the education she was receiving from the nuns. From the latter, she learned what was expected of her as a woman. This included reading, writing, needlework, dancing, harp, harpsichord, singing, drawing, and arithmetic. She excelled in reading and dancing, while her needlework was lacking. After learning to write, she liked to send letters to her mother and father describing the simplest of things she experienced that day. Marie's work with the nuns taught her that most women could be easily manipulated, which caused her to have incredible intuition and intelligence. Even from a young age, she prided herself on her status and bragged about it.

Marie's education with her father's private tutors left her prideful and egotistical. She regarded herself as superior to most, causing tension within the convent. She was taught Bible studies by the Abbesse, and when her father visited her, he contributed as well. With her tutors, Marie learned geometry, music theory, astronomy, rhetoric, logic, and grammar. Her rigorous education caused her to become somewhat of an introvert, as she had little to no time for socializing with others. She was taught music theory by Claude Gervaise, a famous composer that influenced her taste in music and dance. Her strong points were geometry, grammar, and astronomy. Marie was also taught Latin, Spanish, Italian, and French. Her native tongue is in German, since she grew up along-side her mother. It was suggested she learn English, but her father firmly opposed this due to their religion. By the time she was 13, Marie was regarded as one of the most intelligent women in the Burgundian Court.

### Court of Ferdinand

In 1564, Marie left the Convent van Maerlant and moved to the Court of Ferdinand, Roi de Bourgogne. She was formally introduced to the King shortly after her arrival. She was well-received by the King and Cardinal, it having been a private ceremony to not draw much attention. Her relationship with Magdalena von Österreich was cold due to Marie's mother falling out with the Queen.

(WIP)

## Issue

On 10th January 1568, Marie de Perrenot de Granvelle married Jean van Eesbeek, Graaf van Haeghen. The marriage has currently produced 8 children:

* Josse van Eesbeek (16th September 1568 - ), Jonkvrouw van Haeghen
* Anne van Eesbeek (2nd July 1569 - ), Jonkvrouw van Tervuren
* Catherine van Eesbeek (30th September 1570 - ), Jonkvrouw van Grimbergen
* Frédéric van Eesbeek (11th July 1571 - ), Heer van Eesbeek
* Jason van Eesbeek (26th June 1572 - ), Heer van Haeghen
* Jean-Antoine van Eesbeek (1st May 1573 - ), Heer van Wachtendonck
* Juste van Eesbeek (5th June 1574 - ), Heer van Beusecum
* Philippe van Eesbeek (23rd May 1575 - ), Heer van Bemmel