Marie-Hélène Émilie de Joyeuse

Mademoiselle de Joyeuse - c.1650 - Beaubrun

Robèrt Louis, Baron d'Arques

Signature

****Marie-Hélène Émilie de Joyeuse**** (1622 - Present) Is a Grandelumierian noblewoman, Mademoiselle, and famed beauty at Charles XI's Court. Originating from the *Maison de Joyeuse*, She is the 2nd child and 1st daughter of Anne II de Joyeuse, Duc de Joyeuse.

## Biography

### Childhood

#### Birth and Infancy

Born at the Château de Joyeuse, on the 4th January, Marie was the 2nd of the Duc et Duchesse de Joyeuse's 4 children. Endowed at birth as *Mademoiselle de Joyeuse ,* her features were strong and pronounced, and her health was extremely good, more so than most infants. Growing up amongst her Sibling, Henri Nicholas - and later in 1624, Béatrice Henriette - Marie was notably bright and vivacious, delighting her sister with vivid stories, conjured in mere seconds. Early on, her Parents doted on her, and did not hide their favouritism of Marie, regularly showering gifts on her at the detriment of her Siblings. This dedicated interest continued throughout the entirety of Marie's infancy. However, Béatrice soon exhibited signs of troublesome behaviour, causing significant strain on the sibling's relationship. Marie's parents swiftly moved her into education, and notably away from her Sister, irreparably damaging their sisterly bond.

#### Education

Early in 1628, Marie began her tuition. Being the first-born daughter of the respectable *Maison de Joyeuse* She was readily surrounded by supremely well-regarded tutors, and the most highly-appointed ladies. Taught in the classical fashion, Marie soon became learned in such matters as Court etiquette, art, embroidery, and foreign languages. However, the candour of her attendants failed to stop her relentless quest for knowledge, and she soon exceeded the boundaries of her education.

On one occasion, in 1630, Marie was discovered to be trapped in the Branches of a tree, and it was soon found she had climbed up the tree in pursuit of a squirrel. Swiftly after, Marie was reprimanded harshly by her Governess, only for said governess to be dismissed upon her Parent's discovery of the punishment. On another occasion, in 1632, she was walking in the gardens of the Chateau, before running after a stoat, only to fall into a fountain.

Throughout her Education, the Mademoiselle was continually doted on by her adoring parents, continually bending to her wishes, only to deny the same wishes to her sister, Béatrice.

### Courtly Adulthood

#### Prospects for Marriage and Engagement

Being well-adept to courtly life, Marie's parents decided that the time had come to marry their two daughters. A certain Phillipe-Charles de Bioume, an older man, with a landed estate, but known to be affectionate and tender. Having been informed of her impending spouse, Phillipe-Charles soon visited the Château de Joyeuse, where he endlessly doted on Marie; However, the older man was only met with a cold rejection of his advances, at one moment being told by Marie: 'I wish not to talk to you, good sir, for your face merely incites me to spew forth puke.'. In the end, despite Phillipe-Charles protests and constant affirmations of Marie's supposed good nature, the engagement was decidedly cut off, with Bioume being swiftly hurried out of the Castle.

Marie now found herself besotted with Jules-Cardin de Belloin, a tall, shy, averagely handsome, and young nobleman's 2nd Son. The two would-be lovers met first at a formal dinner, held at the Château de Joyeuse, becoming entirely devoted to one-another in an instant. Continuing their preliminary courtship over the course of 1637-38, the pair summed up enough courage as to ask one-anothers parents for their consent to marry; However, they soon faced stinging rejection from both lovers parents, and resolved to continue their courtship in secret.

In 1639, Her sister, Béatrice, was engaged to Louis Charles de Champlais, a repulsive man. This welcome news inspired Marie and Jules to attempt for consent once more, and with the prospect of a dual-marriage, both sides begrudgingly agreed - only after a sizeable addition to the girl's dowry, and the promise of a courtesy title for the boy - and hence, the engagement was duly announced at the court of Phillipe VIII. With a keen interest in marrying off the younger sister, and the desire of Marie and Jules for a wedding to confirm their devotion, Friday 13th of January was denoted for the ceremony.

However, on the 12th, Jules-Cardin was found to be missing from his quarters by Marie, whom swiftly searched the Castle, with no success. After this failure, Marie searched the gardens with the help of a select group of maids. all this commotion was hid from her parents, in hope there was a simple explanation, and hence, no reason to trouble them. Marie was soon alerted by a maid, whom duly showed her the bloated and pale body of her lover, accompanied by a suicide note detailing a dramatically tragic life, but no reason for his apparent suicide - the Handwriting of the letter was found to be grossly different to the man's own hand, but was dismissed as the scrawls of a suicidal wreck. Marie soon collapsed, and fell violently ill, missing the wedding of her sister the day after, and recovering over the course of several years.

#### Spinster

After the apparent Suicide of her Lover and Fiancé, Marie began to show disdain at even the mere mention of Marriage, and in 1642, refused 2 separate engagements, eventually driving away the would-be Spouses with her Melancholy, and rude nature. Throughout the course of the 1640's she refused no less than 5 proposals, driving each one away with the begrudging consent of her Parents. Marie dressed in Full Mourning until 1645, eventually being waned into normal dress after being promised with an excursion to Italy.

## Character Synopsis

#### Appearance

Of tall stature and drooped shoulders, her figure forms the fashionable silhouette of the day without much adjustment. Paired with this natural gift, her Beauty too is renowned: Slightly red cheeks, pale skin with silken texture, and large deep brown eyes, she forms, to the eyes of male courtiers, the ideal female, and allures many Admirers. Described as a true 'Galatea', Marie is considered one of the foremost Beauties at court, in which ranks she is joined by her Sister, Béatrice.

### Title and Styles

4th January 1622 - Present: *Mademoiselle de Joyeuse*