Helene d'Artois

**Marie Helene d'Artois, Comtesse d'Artois**; born **Helene de Valois** (1720-1755), was the wife of the Comte Antoine d'Artois and mother to Charles X, Comte d'Artois and Xavier d'Artois. She infamously committed suicide shortly after the death of her husband in 1755.

## Early Life

Helene de Valois was the second child of Caroline and Henri de Valois, Comte and Comtesse de Valois. Her education included sewing, painting, singing, and music and she also had a love for literature and enjoyed plays.

Helene grew up closer to her wet nurse and governess than to her own mother and father. Being quite introverted, she was not involved often in social events and was treated coldly by her vain sister, Marie Madeleine.

### Engagement to Philippe d'Orleans

When she reached her mid teens, she was engaged to marry the son of the Duc d'Orleans, Philippe. She was good friends with Philippe and was happy with the match.

##### Suicide Attempt

After an attempt on her life that was covered up by her family, her engagement to Philippe d'Orleans was pulled. She was imprisoned by her parents until she was engaged to Louis Antoine d'Artois, the son of Comte Xavier d'Artois. Her parents were very upset with her due to the scandal it caused the family and it ruined her chance of becoming the Duchesse d'Orleans.

## Marriage to Antoine d'Artois

Her engagement to Antoine d'Artois was a better arrangement that they expected, given that the Artois's were an older house then they were and Helene had a hefty dowry. Antoine treated her with the bare minimum amount of respect and kindness.

Helene gave birth to Louis Antoine Xavier after her marriage and then to Charles Xavier Edmund. A few years later she gave birth to Marie Madeleine Sophie who died shortly was she was born.

### The Disappearance of Xavier

In 1755, her eldest son Louis Antoine Xavier, who was 18 at the time, had left home and could not be found. Helene was very hurt by this as she did not know where he was or why he would leave without saying anything to her. Her youngest son, Charles Xavier Edmund, swore he had no idea where he was. Which was not true.

### Wedding of Charles d'Artois and Catherine de Rohan

When Charles was 15, she helped arrange his married to Catherine de Rohan. She liked Catherine and believed her to be a suitable match for her son. Later that year, Helene attended the wedding of Charles and Catherine in Paris.

### Death of the Comte d'Artois

A few months after Charles's marriage to Catherine, Helene invited Charles and Catherine back to the Chateau de Calais to stay so she could see them again. Catherine was unable to come due to Charles's lie that Catherine was feeling ill and could not travel such a far distance. Unknown to her, Charles poisoned the Comte d'Artois's wine and he died a few days later. His physician declared that it was likely due to gout issues that he had trouble with. Due to her eldest son's disappearance, her youngest son Charles was given his title the Comte d'Artois. Which was confirmed by Parlement shortly after.

Helene suspected that Charles had killed her husband and pressed him on the issue. Charles eventually confessed, which left Helene distraught. Terrified that her son was going to be executed for murder, appalled he was able to do such a thing, and due to the fact she didn't feel much remorse for her husband's death. Helene told Charles she didn't want to see him again, practically disowning him.

## Death

After she believed that Charles had left the Chateau de Calais, not wanting him to have to deal with what would occur, Helene shot herself in her bedroom with her husbands gun she found in Xavier's room. But, Charles in reality had barely left the house, only a few steps into the courtyard when he heard the gunshot. Leaving Charles to deal with the aftermath of her death. Charles was able to convince that her official cause of death be labeled an 'accident' and while stressing how much money and work she did for the local church, he was also convinced the church to give her a proper burial. She was buried at the Cathedral d'Arras.

## Titles and Styles

**9 May 1720-1737** *Mademoiselle Marie Helene de Valois*

**1737-1740** *Her Grace, The Comtesse d'Eu*

**1740-1755** *Her Grace, The Comtesse d'Artois*

**? 1755- 10 December 1755** *Her Grace, The Dowager Comtesse d'Artois*