Louis Charles de Lévis
Encyclopedia
Louis Charles de Lévis (1647 – 18 September 1717) was a French nobleman and Duke of Ventadour
. His wife was the governess of the infant Louis XV and his only child Anne Geneviève
made two prestigious marriages into contemporary nobility.
and was the sister in law of the Maréchal de Lorges
.
On his fathers side, he was a relative of the wealthy Montmorency family
. He married Charlotte de La Motte Houdancourt
in Paris on 14 March 1671. She was the daughter of Philippe de La Mothe-Houdancourt
and Louise de Prie.
The Duke was generally considered "horrific" — very ugly, physically deformed, and sexually debauched — yet the privileges of being a duchess compensated for the unfortunate match, e.g. le tabouret: In a letter to her daughter, Madame de Sévigné
described an incident that took place at St. Germain
during an audience with the Queen.
He and his wife had a daughter. Louis Charles died in 1717 during the Regency
of Philippe d'Orléans
.
His wife was a lady in waiting to Duchess of Orléans
and guardian of the infant Louis XV.
, "Mademoiselle de Ventadour", Princess of Turenne
, Duchess of Rohan-Rohan
, Princess of Maubuisson, Princess of Soubise
(February 1673 – 20 March 1727)
Duke of Ventadour
Duke of Ventadour was a noble title in the peerage of France granted to Gilbert de Lévis de Ventadour by Henry IV of France in 1589. It is named after the Château de Ventadour.-List of Dukes of Ventadour, 1589—1717:...
. His wife was the governess of the infant Louis XV and his only child Anne Geneviève
Anne Geneviève de Lévis
Anne Geneviève de Lévis was a French noblewoman. She was Duchess of Rohan-Rohan and Princess of Soubise by marriage. Anne Geneviève was the only child of Madame de Ventadour, governess of the young Louis XV. She married twice and had children with her second husband...
made two prestigious marriages into contemporary nobility.
Biography
The eldest of three children, his younger sister Marguerite Félice de Lévis (1648–1717) married Jacques Henri de Durfort de DurasJacques Henri de Durfort de Duras
Jacques Henri de Durfort, Duke of Duras was marshal of France.-Life:Jacques Henri was the oldest son of Guy Aldonce de Durfort , marquis of Duras, count of Rozan and of Lorges, maréchal de camp and of Élisabeth de La Tour d'Auvergne, sister of Henri de La Tour d'Auvergne, better known as...
and was the sister in law of the Maréchal de Lorges
Guy Aldonce de Durfort de Lorges
Guy Aldonce de Durfort, duc de Lorges, marshal of France, , was a French nobleman and soldier.Guy Aldonce was the fourth son of Guy Aldonce de Durfort , marquis of Duras, count of Rozan and of Lorges, maréchal de camp, and Élisabeth de La Tour d'Auvergne, daughter of Henri de La Tour d'Auvergne and...
.
On his fathers side, he was a relative of the wealthy Montmorency family
Duke of Montmorency
The title of Duke of Montmorency was created several times for members of the Montmorency family, who were lords of Montmorency, near Paris.The first creation was in 1551 for Anne of Montmorency, Constable of France...
. He married Charlotte de La Motte Houdancourt
Madame de Ventadour
Charlotte de La Motte Houdancourt, Duchess of Ventadour was the governess of King Louis XV of France, great-grandson of King Louis XIV. She is credited with saving Louis XV from the ministrations of the royal doctors when he was ill as a child...
in Paris on 14 March 1671. She was the daughter of Philippe de La Mothe-Houdancourt
Philippe de La Mothe-Houdancourt
Philippe, comte de la Mothe-Houdancourt , Duke of Cardona, was French Viceroy of Catalonia and a Marshal of France who fought in the Thirty Years' War.-Biography:...
and Louise de Prie.
The Duke was generally considered "horrific" — very ugly, physically deformed, and sexually debauched — yet the privileges of being a duchess compensated for the unfortunate match, e.g. le tabouret: In a letter to her daughter, Madame de Sévigné
Marie de Rabutin-Chantal, marquise de Sévigné
Marie de Rabutin-Chantal, marquise de Sévigné was a French aristocrat, remembered for her letter-writing. Most of her letters, celebrated for their wit and vividness, were addressed to her daughter.-Life:...
described an incident that took place at St. Germain
Château de Saint-Germain-en-Laye
The Château de Saint-Germain-en-Laye is a royal palace in the commune of Saint-Germain-en-Laye, in the département of Yvelines, about 19 km west of Paris, France. Today, it houses the Musée d'Archéologie Nationale ....
during an audience with the Queen.
"… a lot of duchesses came in, including the beautiful and charming Duchess of Ventadour. There was a bit of a delay before they brought her the sacred stool. I turned to the Grand Master and I said, 'Oh, just give it to her. It certainly cost her enough,' and he agreed."
He and his wife had a daughter. Louis Charles died in 1717 during the Regency
Régence
The Régence is the period in French history between 1715 and 1723, when King Louis XV was a minor and the land was governed by a Regent, Philippe d'Orléans, the nephew of Louis XIV of France....
of Philippe d'Orléans
Philippe II, Duke of Orléans
Philippe d'Orléans was a member of the royal family of France and served as Regent of the Kingdom from 1715 to 1723. Born at his father's palace at Saint-Cloud, he was known from birth under the title of Duke of Chartres...
.
His wife was a lady in waiting to Duchess of Orléans
Elizabeth Charlotte of the Palatinate
Elizabeth Charlotte, Princess Palatine was a German princess and the wife of Philippe I, Duke of Orléans, younger brother of Louis XIV of France. Her vast correspondence provides a detailed account of the personalities and activities at the court of her brother-in-law, Louis XIV...
and guardian of the infant Louis XV.
Issue
Anne Geneviève de LévisAnne Geneviève de Lévis
Anne Geneviève de Lévis was a French noblewoman. She was Duchess of Rohan-Rohan and Princess of Soubise by marriage. Anne Geneviève was the only child of Madame de Ventadour, governess of the young Louis XV. She married twice and had children with her second husband...
, "Mademoiselle de Ventadour", Princess of Turenne
Princess of Turenne
The title Princess of Turenne was used by the daughter in law's of the Dukes of Bouillon as wives of the Princes of Turenne, heirs to Bouillon and Sedan.- House of La Tour d'Auvergne, 1691-1794 :...
, Duchess of Rohan-Rohan
Duke of Rohan-Rohan
-Duke of Rohan-Rohan:...
, Princess of Maubuisson, Princess of Soubise
Princess of Soubise
- Princess of Soubise :...
(February 1673 – 20 March 1727)
- Married Louis Charles de La Tour d'Auvergne, Prince of Turenne in 1692 (son of Godefroy Maurice de La Tour d'AuvergneGodefroy Maurice de La Tour d'AuvergneGodefroy Maurice de La Tour d'Auvergne was a French nobleman and member of the House of La Tour d'Auvergne, one of the most important families in France at the time...
and Marie Anne ManciniMarie Anne ManciniMarie Anne Mancini, duchesse de Bouillon , was the youngest of the five famous Mancini sisters, who along with two of their female Martinozzi cousins, were known at the court of King Louis XIV of France as the Mazarinettes because their uncle was the king's chief minister, Cardinal...
) had no issue; - Married Hercule Mériadec de RohanHercule Mériadec, Duke of Rohan-RohanHercule Mériadec de Rohan styled the Duke of Rohan-Rohan was a member of the House of Rohan. He married twice and was the grandfather of the Maréchal de Soubise. His first wife was the daughter of Madame de Ventadour...
, Duke of Rohan-RohanDuke of Rohan-Rohan-Duke of Rohan-Rohan:...
in 1694 (son of François de RohanFrançois, Prince of SoubiseFrançois de Rohan was a member of the House of Rohan and founder of the houses Soubise. His wife Anne Julie de Rohan was the one time mistress of Louis XIV and mother of François 's own eleven children...
and Anne de Rohan-ChabotAnne de Rohan-ChabotAnne de Rohan-Chabot was a French noble. A member of the House of Rohan, she was wife of the Prince of Soubise. It was she would bought the lordship of Soubise into the junior line of the Rohans. She was a short term mistress of Louis XIV...
, had issue.