Henriette Louise de Rochechouart

Louise-Fleur Valentine, Mademoiselle de Joyeuse

Marguerite-Adelaide Olympe, Mademoiselle de Saint-Sauveur

**Henriette Louise de Rochechouart** (30th October 1636 - Present) is a Grandelumierian noblewoman and courtier, born of the ancient *Maison de Rochechouart* to the illustrious *Charles de Rochechouart* and his spouse, Catherine de Stuart de Moray. The second of three children, Henriette would be the sole child to survive to their court presentation in a way which made her the sole heir to her father's estate.

Known for her natural beauty, intelligence and worldly wisdom quite like her father, she would gain herself a solidified position at court with her marriage to the Comte de Saint-Sauveur, later the *Duc de Joyeuse*.

## Early Life

### Early Life and Education

A private affair, Henriette Louise was born in the late night hours of the 31st of October, 1636, at the Hotel de Guise to *Charles de Rochechouart*, brother to the Duc de Champdenier, and his wife *Catherine de Stuart*. Whilst not a particularly grand ceremony, her birth was celebrated by her father and such appreciation by him would continue throughout her life. At the request of her father, Henriette Louise was dispatched to reside at the Chateau de Rochechouart alongside her brother and cousins.

Throughout her childhood, Henriette would grow to be a sociable and charismatic woman and as such would gain her a position amongst her siblings as the favorite. Upon her sixth birthday, the young Demoiselle would be transferred to the *Abbaye de Ronceray d'Angers* under the care of her great-aunt, Grisel de Stuart. As a student, Henriette would be similar to her father in that she completed her studies with ease however her focuses would lie more with the aspects of being a courtier than being an intellectual; while being well behaved she often would shrug off her studies in favor of other activities. At the age of 12, she would depart the Abbey to reside with her father at the Hotel de Guise in Paris.

### Relationship with Georges de Stuart

Following the death of Louis de Joyeuse, Henriette's aunt Françoise de Joyeuse would inherit the duchy; this would make her eldest son the heir to both the Chateau-Stuart and the Joyeuse Estates. Using his position as brother-in-law to the Comte de Moray and *Petit Conseiller de l'Empereur*, her father would lobby for and successfully obtain a betrothal to the young heir, then titled the *Comte de Saint-Sauveur*, upon her 15th Birthday. This match would gain the attention of the court, as the Demoiselle's status was supplemented by a monumental dowry of 25,000 Livre; she'd soon be brought to court following her 13th Birthday in order to ensure she was prepared to assume the privileges afforded to such a marriage. The future husband and wife would first meet at a ball hosted in honor of His Majesty's coronation, and whilst not particularly close the two would grow to have an amicable relationship.

## Court of Henri III & I

### Presentation to Court

Following her thirteenth birthday, Henriette was introduced to the imperial court by her godmother, Marie de Joyeuse; her ceremony would coincide with those of the then-*Comte de Soissons* and the then-*Mademoiselle de Penthièvre*, with whom she'd formed close friendships during her residence in Paris. She was presented in a pink and white gown while being adorned with a silver and pearl jewelry ensemble.

For the entirety of her early residence at court, Henriette would continue living alongside her father in the *Hôtel de Guise* as well as join him in his visits to the court of the Louvre. During this time, she would become closely acquainted with not only the Guise siblings, but also their own associates; she would become particularly close to the *Madame Imperiale*, who'd already grown close to both her paternal cousin (the future *Comtesse de Moray*) and the *Comte de Soissons.*

## Appearance & Personality

### Appearance

Henriette stands at 5'1 feet (Approximately 154 cm), and has a rather curvy figure. She has platinum blonde hair and pale blue eyes.

### Personality

Henriette is rather timid upon first glance, and has a relatively calm personality. To strangers, Henriette could be seen as relatively collected, however to those who are close to her, they are well aware of how passionate and loving she can be. Aside from this, Henriette is somewhat ditzy, and could be described as forgetful or an "air-head."

## Relationships

### Issue

By her first marriage to Georges de Stuart, Duc de Joyeuse, Henriette has borne three children;

* Louis Etienne, Baron de Chateau-Stuart (18th August 1653 - 9th June 1656)
* Charles-Henri, Comte de Saint-Sauveur (3rd February 1655 - Present)
* Louise-Fleur Valentine, Mademoiselle de Joyeuse (9th March 1657 - Present)
* Marguerite-Adelaide Olympe, Mademoiselle de Saint-Sauver (14th July 1659 - Present)

## Titles and Styles

* **30th October 1636 - 1652:** La Demoiselle de Couches
* **2nd November 1652 - 21st February 1658:** *Sa Seigneurie* Madame la Comtesse de Saint-Sauveur
* **21st February 1658 - Present:** *Sa Grace* Madame la Duchesse de Joyeuse