Victoire de Rohan-Soubise

## Princesse de Guéméné

Madame de Guéméné par Charles Zéphyr Pons de Sacleux, c. 1774

**Victoire-Armande-Josèphe de Rohan-Soubise, Princesse de Guéméné** (28 December 1743 - 22 August 1777), was a French *Princesse étrangère*, descendant of a long lineage of renowned and illustrious individuals claiming affiliation with Kings and Dukes of Brittany. She was one of the cherished daughters of Charles de Rohan-Soubise and Anne-Thérèse de Savoie-Carignan, who unfortunately died only two years after her birth. Leaving Victoire's father affected by the loss of his second wife following two years of a profitable and prestigious marriage with the House of Savoy. As such tragedy happened, Victoire-Armande was taken care of by Charles along with her aunt, imposing her with great expectations as Princesse étrangère.

As of 1775, Victoire-Armande grew accustomed to courtly expectations, effectively rending herself as a bright and affable courtier to those seeking conversation with her. She has been seen taking distances with her husband while remaining relatively close to her parents and children, mainly due to the fact that the recent lavish parties thrown by Henri-Louis, showing the sumptuousness of his house, have left the princely couple in a dire financial state. Victoire, not a libertine carouser, as her husband wished her to abide by his rules of 'libertine conduct' demarcates herself by visible signs of morality and wishing to appear 'as clearly and properly as a priest on the day of his ordination'. Although Madame de Guéméné remains serene and independent at court, Victoire cannot help but zealously follow the fashion world represented by majestic figures; Caroline de Hanovre and the Dauphine. She has the default, quite not regarded as such, to dress coquettishly and always follow the engagements of her friends to go on garments raids on reputed tailors in the capital.

## Court Life

### Bourboneries avec Louis XV

Quickly, Guemene was noticed by *Louis XV*. She became his beloved mistress after practising few artifices towards Louis and was showered in love and attention by the king for a few months, even gifted du Berry's old apartments. Still, just as quickly as she caught his eye, the king and Guemenes aunt, the Comtesse de Marsan  were seen spending more and more time privately. The King, owing to his reputation of womaniser, directly inherited from his most direct ancestor, Henri IV, had set his eyes over a less demanding and more stable compagnon. Thus, filling for Marsan. Guemene seeing the infidelity of her royal lover, had prepared a stratagem to gain his attention and remind him where his true love laid. One day as Louis XV and Marsan discussed within the gardens, Guéméné had gathered the help of a nearby courtier to put her plan into action.

The *Marquis de Beauclair* was to be the unlucky chosen, Guéméné and the Marquis approached by Louis and Marsan, who were having a deep conversation, Guéméné and Beauclair thus beginning their intrigue. As the pair got closer and closer and enacted their parade of 'love', the King and Marsan quickly jumped to conclusions and thought Guemene was being unfaithful to the King. Louis XV immediately dismissed Guemene and put her to the side as Louis favored Guéméne's aunt, Marsan. After this Guemene was ostracized by the court and publicly targeted by Marsan, having multiple physical fights during courtly activities. Marsan and Guemene were eventually reprimanded by both Madame la Grande Dauphin and Louis. They were sent off out of the room, where Marsan had slapped Guemene to the ground and Guemene retaliated. After this, Madame la Grande Dauphin summoned Guemene and Marsan to her private apartments and helped them talk the issues out.

During all of this, Guemene was also being targeted by her husband, Prince de Guemene. He Slapped, beat, and bruised Guemene. Frequent fights were heard from their apartments. One night after Guemene had walked in on the King and Marsan getting awfully... Close... Guemene made her way to the front terrace, there after her husband, was seen following her out onto the terrace, where he then, pushed her off, she was found by Marsan and brought back to her apartments. Where she then went into a coma for a few days. The Prince de Guemene was put in prison but quickly let back out for lack of evidence.

After having a mental breakdown and being confronted by her close friend, the *Comtesse de Busset*, Guemene pronounced her vacation from the court and retired to her countryside chateau on a mental health retreat. She then made a hastily planned return back to court where she was determined to move on from the king, on her first day back she signed up for the Cinderella ballet and got even closer with the Marquis de Beauclair and *Duc d’Orleans*.

### Death

She died following a miscarriage in August of 1777.

## Issue

* Charlotte Victoire, Mademoiselle de Guéméné † (1761 - 1771)
* Charles-Alain-Gabriel, Comte de Montbazon (1764 - Present)
* Louise, Mademoiselle de Guéméné (1765 - Present)
* Louis Victor Mériadec de Rohan, Comte de Saint-Pol (1766 - Present)
* Louis, 'Prince' de Rohan (1768 - Present)

## Titles and Styles

### Titles

* **28 December 1743 - 16 May 1761:** *Son Altesse,* Mademoiselle de Soubise
* **16 May 1761 - Present:** *Son Altesse,* la Princesse de Guéméné
* suo jure Dame de Clisson