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French Eccleastical Territory
Also see France Substates, Princess-Abbesses and Women Clergy
Royal Abbey of Andlau -
(l'abbaye d'Andlau in Franche-Comté)
The Abbess was Lady of numerous fiefs, including Wagenbourg and
Marlenheim in Alsace, and The Abbey of l'Etival in France.
Founded as Benedictine Abbay in 880 by Empress Richarde, wife of Karl III the
Great in Alsace. The Abbess held semi episcopal powers, was named by the Emperor or
the King and had the title of Princess-Abbess from 1288. (Princesse d'Empire)
and held a vote in the Diet of Holy Roman Empire
(avec droit de
vote au Diètes du Saint Empire germanique) until it became part of France.
In 1686 the the Abbess made a treaty
with Louis XIV who agreed to respect the freedom of the canonesses to chose
their own abbess and confirmed her title as princesse d’empire The chapter was abolished during the revolution in 1789
855-circa 912 Rotrude of France
1000s Mathilde von Speyer
Sister of Emperor Konrad II of the Holy Roman Empire, and received Papal
protection.
1130 Hadewitz
Built the famous gate with a massive frise.
1178 Herrade
Founded the dependent Abbies of Hohenbourg and Etival (Vosges).
1348 Jeanne-Madeleine de Flachslanden
After 1386
Elisabeth de Geroldseck
The Princess-Abbess awarded Jean de Wangen with the fief of the Castle of Wangenburg.
13.... - Blanche de Lorraine
Daughter of Raoul I duc de Lorraine
1425 Phya
Around 1440-46 Sophie
Transformed the lower parts of the chancel and the north
transept
Around
1463 Suzanne d'Eptingen
Confirmed the fief, castle and village of Wangenbourg at Georges de Wangen and
his brothers.
Around 1578-circa 1606
Marie-Madeleine de Rebstock
Aquired the Abbey of Honcourt/Hugshofen in 1599 and with that the seigneurity of
the surrounding area. She conferred the fief of Wangenbourg at at her brother, Jean-Gabriel Rebstock, in
1606.
Circa 1611-22 Marie-Ursule de Reichenstein
Mentioned around 1590, 1611 and 1622. The Administrator of the Abbey of Honcourt/Hugshofen
was Nicolas Deutsch. She had to seek refuge in Soleure in Switzerland during the
Thirty Years War.
Circa 1638-56
Jeanne-Sabine d'Offenbourg
She returned to Andlau from the refuge in Switzerland. (d. 1656).
After 1656 Marie Beatrix d'Eytingen
Circa 1666-1700
Marie Cunégonde von Beroldingen
1700-04
Marie-Cléopha de Flachsland
Circa 1708-51 Marie-Sophie d'Andlau
She (d. 1751)
1750-74
abbesse
coadjutrice Marie Béatrice Breiten de Landenberg
Also known as Maria Beatrix von Breitenlandenberg
1774-after 82
Maie Truchsess de Rheinfelden
The Rotonde de
Honcourt was destroyed 1782. The ancient chateau was rebuild as a residence for
the canonisses.
......Madeleine Barbe de Landenberg
Sold the chapter to her niece during the revolution, who married the
Intendennt
of the Chapter, Keppeler, who became Prefect and Baron of the Empire
.........
Abbey of Andenne
The Abbess held the position of
Abbey Nullius
and territorial authority of the surrounding fiefs.
........
Abbey of Bourbourg
The Abbey was placed under the direct authority of the Pope and was
in possession of the seigneuries of Oxelaere, Noordpeene, Faumont and Coutiches,
and the Abbesse de Bourbourg held semi-bishopal authority and secular
jurisdiction of her territory. The Abbey was founded by Robert II of Flanders
and his wife Clémence of Burgundy in 1103 and was open for young women of noble
birth. It came under the sovereignty of France as part of "French Flanders".
Around 1000. Godilde
Sister of Lambert, Abbeot of Saint -Bertin
1122-31 Christine
1131/33-40 Ogiva
Also known as Ogina
1140-74/78 Clarice de Someringhem
1174/78-1228 Mathilde I
Also known as Mahaut, she was daughter of Henri,
Catelain de Bourbourg
1228-61 Adelïde de Sotteghem
1261-82 Sara de Mernis
1282-1305 Marguerite de Wormhoudt
1305-17 Mathilde II d'Auchy
Also known as Mahaut
1317-32 Johanne de Rassenghem
1332-50 Hersende de Guisenes
Granted the right to name her own confessor and
chaplains. Daughter of Baudoin III, count de Guînes
1350-65 Isabelle I de Herzelles
The Abbey was in constant dispute with the local bishop over supremacy over the
internal affairs.
1365-87 Isabelle II de Ghistelle
1387-95 Jeanne de Fiennes
1395-1418 Agnès de Nieppe
1418-38 Marie I de la Chapelle
1438-65 Bonne de a Viefville
Daughter of the Seigneur of Thiennes and Blaringhem.
1465-75 Ursule de la Viefvilla
Sister of Bonne
1475-95 Barbe I d'Ollenhain d'Estaimbourg
Daughter of the Lord of Estaimbourg.
1495-1533 Adrienne de Noyelle
Also known by the surname de la Chapelle, she was
daughter of Lord de Noyelle and Calonne.
1533-45 Antoniette I de Noyelle
1545-68 Marie II de Saint-Omer, dite de Morbecque
Daughter of the Lord of
Ebblinghem
1568-78 Marie III de Bernemicourt
Daughter of Lord of Thieuloye and Lievin.
1578-1600 Antoniette II de Wissocoq
Daughter of the Lord of
Bomy
1600-03 Barbe II de Bailleul
Daughter of the Lord d'Eecke and Steenvoorde
1603-20 Jacqueline de Lannoy
Daughter of the Lord of
Hautmont
1620-40 Marie IV de Bonnières
Daughter of the Lord de Biez and Marie de Tournai.
1641-44 Isabelle III de Héricourt
Appointed as Abbess by King Felipe IV of Spain, who as Count of Flanders and
Artois, was head of the Southern Low Countries, after the canoness had been
unable to elect as successor to Marie IV for 6 months.
1645-63 Catherine de Beauffremez
At her election, the Prior, the Chaplaine, the
Treasurer, the lady of the refectory, the Matron of the novices, 2 ladies of the
sacritsty, 2 canonesses and 6 other ladies, whose occupation is not mentioned,
took part. She was daughter of Lord d'Esnes and Haily. The Abbey became part of
France 1659.
1663-72 Anne Séverine de Warlzel
The privilege was confirmed in 16666 that the Abbey was under direct authority
of the Pope and not the local Bishop, and therefore
the Pope was the only one who could conduct visitations to the chapter (control
visits). She was daughter of Lord of Warluzel and Rombrin.
1672-88 Catherine II de Bernemiscourt
1688-95 Marie-Anne d'Assigny
Daughter of Lord Haghedoorne de Wasnes
1695-98 Marie-Françoise Adornes de Ronsele
Daughter of the Lord of Ronsele
1698-42 Madeleine-Eugenie de Béthune des
Placques
A large number of her relatives had been bishops and abbesses of various
dioceses and institutions since around 1200. She lived (1696-1742).
1742... Marie-Charlotte de Béthune
Elected as successor to her aunt
Until 1768 Françoise de Dion de Wandonne
Daughter of the Lord of Wanndonne, Couplelle, Louvigny and
La Viélville.
1768-90 Marie Hosephe Camille de Coupigny
d'Hénu
The French Council of State confirmed the original
provision, that the canonesses had to be of noble families from the Low
Countries or Artois, who could trace back noble origin from both sides of their
family for at least 4 quarters (generations). She wasaughter of the Lord of Hénu,
Warlincourt and Marie Héricourt.
Royal Abbey of Chelles
(Notre-Dame-des-Chelles)
One of the most important Abbeys of France.
Circa 630-705
Berthild
Also known as Bertilla or Sainte Bertille.
702-08 Sigisla
708-24 Vilcome
724-.. Ermengarde
7... Clémence
7... Asceline I
7... Sybille
Until 800 Marsillie
00-10 Gisèle
Daughter of Pippin and sister of Charlemagne, she lived (757-810)
810-55
Helvide I von Sachsen.
Also known as Helwig, she was daughter of Widukind and widow of Count Welf I,
and mother of Empress Judith
855-69 Ermentrude
d'Orléans (855-869)
Married to King Charles II le Chauve
922-925 Rothilde de Neustrie
Also known as Rothild, she was widow of first Hugues, Count of Bourges and then Roger, Count of Maine. Her half
sister Rotrud (852–912), was Abbess of Saint-Radegunde and another sister
Ermentrud (854–877), Abbess of Hasnon. They daughters of Charles the Bald, Holy
Roman Emperor 875–877 and King of West Francia 840–877.
922-25 Rothilde de Neustrie
Daughter of Charles le Chauve, she lived 871-928.
925-1097 Vacancy
1097-1112 Mahilde I
1112-27 Vacancy
1127-37 Ameline I
1137-56 Mathilde II
1156-77 Helvide II
1177-78 Asceline II
1177-90 Marie I de Duny
1190-92 Vacancy
1192-1206 Ameline II
1206-08 Marie II de Néry
1208-20 Mathilde III de Berchère
1220-22 Mathilde IV de Corbeil
1222-28 Florence
1228-31 Marguerite I de Néry
1231-50 Pétronille I de Mareuil
1274-80 Vacancy
1280-1311 Adeline I de Nanteuil
1311-17 Alice I de Clignet d'Otis
1317-1348 Marguerite II de Pacy
1348-1354 Pétronille II de Paroy
1354-1363 Adeline II de Pacy
1363-1364 Jeanne I de Soissy
1364-1368 Agnès I de La Queue
1368-1379 Jeanne II de La Forest
1379-1399 Jeanne III de Roye
Sister of Guy de Roye,
Archbishop of Reims
1399-1414 Agnès II de Neufville
1414-1420 Alice II de Thorote
1420-1429 Marie II de Cléry
1429-1475 Elisabeth de Pollye
1475-1504 Catherine I de Lignières
1504-1507 Jeanne IV de La Rivière
The first abbess to be
elected for a three year period.
1507-1510 Marie III de Reilhac
She ( d.
1547)
1510-1514 Marie IV Cornu
She (d.
1519)
1514-1518 Catherine II Marguerite de Champrond
Died in
office.
1518-1528 Barbe de Tallensac
She (d.
1537)
1528-1542 Madeleine I des
Chelles
Died in office.
1542-1579 Jacqueline d'Amignon
The last abbess to be
elected for three year as the King abolished the election in 1559 and resumed
the appointment of the abbesses himself. She died in office.
1579-83 Renée de Bourbon de Vendôme
The first abbess to be nominated by the king. She was daughter of Charles de Bourbon, duc de Vendôme et de Françoise d'Alençon de
Beaumont, she lived (1527-83)
1583-1627
Marie V de Lorraine-Aumale
She was daughter of Claude de Guise, duc d'Aumale and Louise de Brézé, and lived
(1565-1627)
1627-1629 Marie Henriette de Bourbon
She was daughter of Henri V of France and Charlotte des Essarts de la Haye, and
lived (1609-29).
1629-1671 Madeleine II de la Porte de La Meilleraye
1671-1680 and 1688-1707 Marguerite III Guidone de
Cossé-Brissac
She was
daughter of François de Cossé, duc de Brissac and Guyonne Ruellan
1680-1688 Catherine III de Scorailles de Roussille
Known as Révérende Mère Jeanne de
Scorailles, she was daughter of Jean-Rigal de Scorailles and Éléonor de Plas and
sister of Marie-Angélique, Duchesse de Fontanges, Maitraisse of King Louis IV.
Another sister, Anne de Scorailles, was abbesse de Notre-Dame-des-Prés and
a brother, Louis-Léger de Scorailles, was Abbot of Valloire 1663-1695. She lived
(circa 1655-90)
1707-1719 Agnès III Charlotte de Villars
Pierre de Villars (1623-1698) and
Marie Giault de Bellefonds (1626-1706). She lived (1654-1723)
1719-34 Louise Adélaïde d'Orléans
Also the abbesse of the Val-de-Grâce, a
church built under the auspices of her maternal great-grandmother, Anne of
Austria, the wife of King Louis XIII. Originally titled Mademoiselle de
Chartres, she became Mademoiselle d'Orléans in 1710 after her older sister
married Charles, duc de Berry and was known as Madame d'Orléans 1719-34. Died
from smallpox at the Convent de la Madeleine de Traisnel in Paris. Daughter of
The Regent of France, Philippe II d'Orléans, duc de Chartres, heir to the House
of Orléans, and Françoise-Marie de Bourbon, a legitimised natural daughter of
Louis XIV and his mistress, Madame de Montespan.
She lived (1698-1743).
1734-89 Anne de Clermont-Chaste
de Gessans
Former Canoness at Saint-Cyr, Abbess of Saint Paul de Beurepaire en Vienne in
1725 and later of Chelles. A large number of her family were bishops, abbesses
and abbots. (b. 1697-1789)
Until 1783 Grand Prioress Françoise-Claudine
de Clermont-Chaste
Abbess of Saint Paul de Beaurepaire 1735. Later Grand Prioress (Grande-Prieure).
She lived (1704-83).
1789-98 Delphine Madeleine Elisabeth de
Sabran-Baudinard
She was daughter of Joseph-Jules-Honoré de Sabran-Baudinard and Marie-Thérèse
d'Arlatan de Lauris, and lived (1734-1820).
Faremoutiers Abbey (French: Notre-Dame de Faremoutiers)
It formed an important link
between the Merovingian Frankish Empire and the southern Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of
Kent and East Anglia. The abbey was a dual monastery, that is it had separate accommodations for monks
and nuns. It was established following the strict Rule of Saint Columbanus.
Originally named Evoriacum, it was renamed in Burgundofara's honour. Within
its territory the Abbess held clerical and
seigneurial rights. The abbey enjoyed the attention of
several French kings and was an important economic factor within its vast
territory in Brie.
620-655 Sainte Fare de Meaux
Also known as Burgundofara
655-660 Sainte
Sedride d’Estanglie
Also known as Sithred, she was daughter of the Queen of
East Anglia, Héreswide. (d. circa 655)
660-695 Sainte Aubierge d’Estanglie
Also known as Edelburge, she was member of the Royal Family of Kent
695-7.. Sainte Earcongothe de Kent
Until 852 Sainte Rothilde de France
852-877 Bertrade de Germanie
9... Judith
9... Aveline
9...
Hildegarde
1137-1146 Risende
1146-1154 Emma
1154-1212
Lucienne de La Chapelle
1212-1215 Marguerite I
1215-1219 Hersende
de Touquin
1219-1240 Eustachie
1240-1252 Julienne de Grez de
Nesle-en-Brie
1252-1272 Sibylle
1272-1289 Avoie
1289-1290
Marguerite II de Mons
1290-1312 Marguerite III de Chevry
1312-1341
Marguerite IV de Mons
1341-1346 Mathilde de Joinville de La Malmaison
1346-1363 Jeanne I de Noyers
1363-1383 Marguerite V de Lully d’Ancre
1383-1409 Marguerite VI de Noyers
1409-1417 Jeanne II de
Châteauvillain
1417-1434 Denise du Sollier
1434-1439 Jeanne III
Rapillard
1439-1454 Isabelle I de Mory
1454-1490 Jeanne IV de
Bautot
1490-1511 Jeanne V Chrestienne d’Harcourt-Beuvron
The chapter
was in decay and 3 nuns had children.
1511-1515 Madeleine de
Valois-Orléans-Angoulême
1515-1518 Marie I Cornu
Following the
concordat de Bolgone, signed in 1516 between François I and Pope Léon X, the
abbesses were named by the king.
1518-1531 Jeanne VI Joly
1531-1555 Marie II Baudry
1555-1563 Antoinette de Lorraine-Guise
Her
sister, Renée, was Abbess of St.Pierre until her death in 1602. She was daughter
of Duke Claude de Guise and Antoinette de Bourbon-La Marche, and lived
(1531-61).
1563-1567 Françoise Guillard
1567-1573 Marie III Violle
1573-1586 Louise I de Bourbon-Montpensier
Sister of Charlotte, who was
first Abbess of Jouarre and later married Willem I van Oranje-Nassau, and
succeeded by another sister, Jeanne de Jouarre. She lived (1548-86)
1586-1593 Isabelle II de Chauvigny
1593-1605 Anne de La Châtre de
Maisonfort
Sister of Françoise de la Châtre
1605-1643 Françoise I de
La Châtre de Maisonfort
A member of the family of the barons de Montfort. (d.
1605)
1643-1677 Jeanne VII Anne de Plas
1677-1685 Marie IV
Thérèse-Constance du Blé d’Uxelles
1685-1721 Marie V
Anne-Généreuse-Constance de Beringhen d’Armainvilliers
1721-1726 Louise
II Charlotte-Eugènie-Victoire de Beringhen d’Armainvilliers
One of 9 children
of Jacques Louis de Beringhen, Marquis de Beringhen (1651-1723) and
Marie-Madeleine Elisabeth Fare d'Aumont. One of her sisters, Anne Marie
Madeleine de Beringhen, was abbess du Pré au Mans aorund 1730.
1726-1743
Olympe-Félicité-Sophie-Fare de Beringhen d’Armainvilliers
Succeeded her
sister, Louise Charlotte.
1743-1745 Françoise II Catherine Molé de
Champlâtreux
Her family were councillors of the King
1745-1759 Marie
VI Renée de Maupéou d’Ableiges
1759-1775 Charlotte-Julie Lenormant des
Forts d’Etiolles
Mme de Maupéou. Her family were councillors of Louis XV and
Louis XVI.
1775-1791 Claude de Durfort de Léobard
Member of the family
of the Dukes de Duras.
Royal Abbey of Fontevraud (L'Abbaye Royale de Fontevraud/Fontevraud-L'Abbaye)
(Fontevrault in English)
The chapter was founded in 1101, and was placed directly under the Pope and the King of France. The monks in the dubble-convent was commanded by a Prior under the control of the Abbess.
1101-13 Hersende
1115-49 Pétronille de Chemillé
A cousin of
Abbot Geoffrey of Vendôme she had married into the family of the lords of Chemillé.
At the time of her death there were more than 50 mixed monasteries in the order, headed by a female superior,
distributed across the region bounded by northern Champagne, Lyonnais, and
Aragon. It was the largest and
wealthiest federation of monasteries for women in Western Europe.
1149-55 Mathilde I d'Anjou
She was the daughter of Fulk,
King of Jerusalem, and widow of William, the eldest son of Henry I, of England
1155-80 Audeburge de Haute-Bruyère
1180-89 Gilles/Gillette
1189-94 Mathilde II de Flandre (Adelaide
de Blois, Abbess of Fontevrault 1190)
1194-1207 Mathilde III de Bohême
Princess of Bohemia.
1207-08 Marie I de Champagne (de Bourgogne)
The prosperity of the abbey continued under
her reign, but by the end of the twelfth century, owing to the state of the
country and the English wars, the nuns were reduced to gaining their livelihood
by manual work. The situation was aggravated by internal dissensions which
lasted a hundred years.
1208-09 Ala/Alix de
Bourbon
1209-18 Alix de Champagne
Granddaughter of Louis VII.
1218-28 Berthe
1228-44 Adèle (Alix) de
Bretagne
1244-65 Mabile de la Ferté (or de Blois)
1265-76 Jeanne de Dreux (de Brenne)
1276-84 Isabeau I Davoir
1284-1304 Marguerite I de Pocey
1304-29 Eleonore I de Bretagne
Daughter of Jean II de Dreux, Duke of Bretagne and Earl of Richmond and Beatrice
of England.
1342-49 Isabeau II de Valois
Great ganddaughter of Saint-Louis. After her death there followed another period
of trouble and decadence largely due to the disaffection of the monks who where
discontented with their subordinate position
1349-53 Théophanie de
Chambon
1353-73 Jeanne de Mangey
1373 Adélaïde de Ventadour
1373-93 Eléonore (Aliénor) II de Parthenay
Had first been Abbess of St-Jean de Bonneval-lès-Thouars. She was daughter
of Jean I, sire de Parthenay, de St-Christophe et de Semblançay, gouverneur de
Saintonge and Marie de Beaujeu (Forez).
1393-1431 Blanche d'Harcourt
Cousin of Charles VI.
1431-51 Marie II d'Harcourt
Marguerite de Beaufort de Montmorency was elected "anti-abbess", but she was
recognized as the official head of the congregation by the Pope.
1431-34 Marguerite de Beaufort de Montmorency
Elected in opposition to Marie II and was not recognized by the Pope.
1451-57 Marie III de Montmorency
1457-75
Marie IV de Bretagne
The order had suffered severely from the decay of
religion, which was general about this time, as well as from the Hundred Years
War. In the three priories of St-Aignan, Breuil, and Ste-Croix there were in all
but five nuns and one monk, where there had been 187 nuns and 17 monks at the
beginning of the thirteenth century, and other houses were no better off. In
1459, a papal commission decided upon a mitigation of rules which could no
longer be enforced, and nuns were even allowed to leave the order on the simple
permission of their priories. Dissatisfied with the mitigated life of
Fontevrault, she moved to the priory of La Madeleine-les-Orléans
in 1471. Here she deputed a commission consisting of religious of various orders
to draw up a definite Rule based on the Rules of Blessed Robert, St. Benedict,
and St. Augustine, together with the Acts of Visitations. The resulting code was
finally approved by Sixtus IV in 1475, and four years later it was made
obligatory upon the whole order. She was daughter of King Henry III of England and Eleanor Berenger of Province,
and lived (1442-77).
1477-91 Anne d'Orléans
Sister of Louis XII, she continued the reforms of the order initiated by Marie
de Bretagne.
1491-1534
Renée de Bourbon
Possibly the greatest of
the abbesses, both on account of the numbers of priories in which she
re-established discipline, and the victory which she gained over the rebellious
religious at Fontevrault by the reform, enforced with royal assistance in 1502.
The result was a great influx of novices of the highest rank, including several
princesses of Valois and Bourbon. At her death there were 160 nuns and 150
monks at Fontevrault.
1534-75
Louise I de Bourbon
She was a woman of sincere but gloomy piety, and during her tenure the
order suffered many losses at the hands of the Protestants, who even besieged
the great abbey itself, though without success; many nuns apostatized, but
twelve more houses were reformed.
1575-1611
Eléonore III de Bourbon
She had great influence with her nephew,
Henri IV, and her affection for him was so great that, towards the end of her
life, when he was assassinated, her nuns dared not tell her lest the shock
should be too great.
1611-37
Louise II de Bourbon-Lavedan
Aided by the famous Capuchins, Ange de Joyeuse and Joseph du Tremblay, she
sought to improve the status of the monks of St-Jean de l'Habit and made various
attempts to establish theological seminaries for them. Daughter of Charles de
Bourbon, Vicomte de
Lavedan - son of Jean II, Duke of Bourbon and Auvergne - and Jeanne Louise
d'Albret.
1637-70
Jeanne-Baptiste de Bourbon
At the age of 10 she enterede the Abbey of Chelles and Louise de Bourbon-Lavedan
appointed her as coadjutrice at the age of 16, but she did not take over the
position until she was 25. She reigned with absolute "souverainty" and her
direct dependence on the Pope in Rome allowed her to act automously from the
church in France. In 1641 she obtained royal letters
confirming the reform and finally quashing the claims of the monks, who sought
to organize themselves independently of the authority of the abbess. The
following year the Rule approved by Sixtus IV was printed at Paris.
But
in 1658 the Sacred Congregation of Rites categorically condemned
the acts where she of her own authority, obliged the monks and nuns of her
obedience to recite offices, say Masses, and observe rites and ceremonies which
had never been sanctioned or approved of by the Pope.
She was the
legitimized daughter of king Henri IV and Charlotte des Essarts, and her
full sister, Marie Henriette de Bourbon (1609-29) was Abess of Chelles. She
lived (1608-70)
1670-1704
Gabrielle de Rochechouart de Mortemart
Marie-Madeleine-Gabrielle was sister of the Marquise de Montespan, she is said to have translated
all the works of Plato from the Latin version of Ficino. The abbey school was
frequented by the children of the highest nobility, and her successors were
entrusted with the education of the daughters of Louis XV.
1704-42 Louise-Françoise de Rochechouart
Succeeded her aunt Gabrielle de Rochechouart de Mortemart.
1742-53 Louise-Claire de Montmorin de Saint-Hérem
1753-65 Marie-Louise de Timbrone de Valence (de Thimbrune de Valence)
1765-92
Julie Sophie Charlotte de Pardaillan d'Antin
Julie-Sophie-Gillette
de Gondrin de Pardaillan d'Antin
was driven
from her monastery by the Revolution; her fate is unknown. Towards the end of
the eighteenth century there were 230 nuns and 60 monks at Fontevrault, and at
the Revolution there were still 200 nuns, but the monks were few in number and
only formed a community at the mother-house. In the course of his preaching
journeys through France, Robert d'Arbrissel had founded a great number of
houses, and during the succeeding centuries others were given to the order. In
the seventeenth century the Fontevrist priories numbered about sixty in all and
were divided into the four provinces of France, Bretagne, Gascone, and Auvergne.
The order never attained to any great importance outside France though there
were a few houses in Spain and England. (d. 1797).
Royal Abbey of Jouarre
The abbesses had great authority in the region, organising fairs and markets,
dispensing justice, appointing priests, having the right to arbitrate in
distribution of the lands. Their reputation and influence extended beyond the
monastery.
1225 the Abbey was granted episcopal exemption for 450 years and
thus came under the immediate jurisdiction of the Pope. It was distroyed during
the 100 Years war and rebuilt 1451.
Around 667 St Telchildeirs
Succeeded by St Aguilberte, her cousin, and
then St Balde, their aunt, who died centenarian in 684.
...St Aguilberte
Until 684 St Balde
Died at the age of 100. Jouarre made two foundations: An abbey at Chelles of which
St Bertille, prioress of Jouarre, became the first abbess in 657 at the request
of the Queen, St Bathilde, and another abbey, Notre Dame de Soissons, where the
Blessed Etheria, a professed nun of Jouarre, was sent in 655 at the request of
St Drausin, bishop of Soissons.
....
Around 837 Ermentrude
The Abbey was not spared the troubles besetting Kingdom and Church in
seventh century Gaul. But there is no document left to shed light on this
period. But Ermentrude not only extended the enclosure of the monastery and
enlarged the buildings of the community but is also at the origin of the first
elements of the village of Jouarre. She organised the cultivation of the lands
on the plateau, promoted the creation of the first hospice for the sick and of
places of refuge such as the "Pitancerie" for giving food to the poor, for
pilgrims and vagrants, and a leper house. And in order to save everybody.
At that time too, there was a mint for striking money, by privilege granted by
King Charles the Bald. There still today exist a few rare silver coins
witnessing to the fact. This was a time of material and spiritual prosperity. However the invading
Normans came up the Seine from Paris to the valley of the Marne. Around 887-888,
the Vikings devastated the region and, very probably, the abbey.
The silence of the archives in the tenth century suggest a long period of
extreme poverty and dereliction.
Around 1103 Mathilde de Coucy
1102 Agnès
1203 Agnès II
1212-43 Hersende
Also known as Hermensende or Hermengade. She engaged in an
offensive against the Bishop of Meaux.
1243 Double election of Agnès de Juilly and Marguerite de Sergines who engaged in a lenghtly dispute and court cases.
1298-1303 Agnès de Cérilly
1303-10 Agnès de Gloise
1310-45 Hélissent I de Noyers
But the Hundred Years War devastated the whole of Brie and the nuns were obliged to flee.
The monastery and the Tower were burnt down and the church fell partly into
ruins.
1345-57 Hélissent II de Noyers
Succeeded aunt.
1361-65 Jeanne de Frolois
Cousin of the de Noyers' Abbesses. Perhaps her sister Alix
was also Abbess.
1365-75 Jeanne de Noyers
Former Treasurer of the chapter.
1375-83 Marguerite de Noyers
Succeeded by sister, Marie.
1383-86/09 Marie
de Noyers
Took over as Abbess of Montivilliers in 1386/90 and (d. 1396).
1386-90-1400/18 Marguerite de la Rivière
Abbess of Montivilliers until 1386/90 and (d. between 1400 and 1418)
1423-25 Henriette de Mello
Circa 1425-circa 1430 Marguerite de Bréban
Daughter of Admiral Pierre de Bréban.
Circa 1430-33 Marie de Bréban
Succeeded sister, but was deposed by king Charles VII.
1433-62 Jeanne de Melun
Sister of Philippe de Melun, councillor of King Charles VII
1462 Election of 2 abbesses, Isabelle de Neuville and Marguerite de Levilly.
1462-91 Jeanne d'Ailly
The lands that was abandoned as a result of the war,
weighed heavily on her and she constantly leased them out to the very poor.
This was the origin of the association known as the "Usages" which still exists
today.
1492-1515 Antoinette de Moustier
She had already put in the lower room of the Tower the beautiful entombment the work of
Michel Colombe, a famous sculptor of the time : the principal figures that have
survived are presently in the Parish Church.
1515-43 Madeleine d'Orleans, batard d'Angoulême, Abbess of Jouarre
Continued the renovation and rebuilding of the chapter
amidst the wars raging in France. She was daughter of Comte Charles d'Angoulême et de Perigord,
and she received her
half-brother, King Francis I, twice at the Abbey. The year after her death, the nuns had again to
leave the Abbey during the war against Charles the V. She lived (circa 1496-1543).
1543-59 Louise de Longwy-Givny
Succeeded her aunt, Madeleine d'Orléans. Daughter of Jean de Longwy-Givny,
Seigneur de Givny etc. and Jeanne d'Orléans, the daughter of Charles d'Angoulême
and Jeanne de Polignac.
1565-71 Charlotte de Bourbon-Montpensier
Daughter of Louis III de Montpensier et de Jacqueline de Longwy. With the help
of Queen
Jeanne III de Navarre, she found refuge innHeidelberg and married Willem van
Oranje-Nassau, Stadtholder of the Netherlands and had 6 daughters of whom
Louise-Juliana, Catharina Belgica and xxx became regents after their husband's
deaths, and
Charlotte Flandrina (1579-1640) became Abbess de Poitiers. She lived (...
1572-1624 Jehanne de Bourbon
Her sister Charlotte been Abbess before her but became a protestant and later
married Willem van Oranje-Nassau, Stadtholder of the Netherlands. Another sister
was Louise, Abbess of Faremoutier, (1548-86). They were Duc Louis II de Bourbon
"le Bon" de Montpensier, etc, and his first wife Jacqueline de Longwy, Countess
de Bar sur Seine. She lived (1541-1624).
1624-38 Jehanne de Lorraine
Also known as Jeanne, she initiated sweeping monastic reforms in the Abbey and raised from the Crypt the remains of St Ebregisile and the
founders of the Abbey in presence of Queen Marie de Medicis and transferred them
to the reliquaries which are now in the Parish Church. They were brought out for
processions, on Whit Tuesday and sometimes during public calamities. Jehanne de
Lorraine demolished the old abbey church and rebuilt it splendidly. She was daughter Henri I de Guise, Duc de Guise, Prince de Joinville, (1550-88), who was
murdered for becoming a protestant, and Catherine de Nevers (1548-1633). She lived (1586-1638).
1638-55 Marguerite de la Trémoille
Former Coadjutrice and Abbess of another chapter. She continued the work of reform striving to revive a real
"spirit of community" re-establishing, enclosure, poverty, silence, as well as
morning and evening meditation in the monastery now numbering 120 religious.
1655-92 Henriette de Guise
Also known as Henriette de Lorraine, she was niece of Jehanne and during her reign, the Abbey became
powerful, because of privilege of exemption, acquired in the 13th century.
However this Abbess, too sure of her prerogatives, had disputes and a lawsuit
with Bossuet, the bishop of Meaux.
The "Eagle of Meaux", as he was known, interfered violently. Henriette lost the
case and resigned. However, Bossuet could be gentle too as his letters to the
nuns testify. He wrote to them in 1695: "God loves Jouarre". Daughter of
Claude de Lorraine, Duc de Chevreuse, Prince de Joinville and Marie Aimée de Rohan,
Mademoiselle de Montbazon. Her oldest sister was, Anne Marie, Abbess of
Pont-aux-Dames, and she lived (1631-93)
1692-1721 Anne Marguerite de Rohan
Daughter of Francois de Rohan, Comte de Rochefort, Prince de Soubise, Governor
of Champagne, Berry and Brie and his scond wife Anne-Julie de Rohan-Chabot, Dame
de Soubise, and lived (1664-1721)
1721-33 Charlotte Armande de Rohan
Succeeded aunt. Daughter of Hercule Meriadec, Duc de Rohan-Rohan, Prince de
Soubise et de Maubuisson, etc, Governor of Champagne and Brie and his first wife,
Anne Genevieve de Levis-Ventadour, and lived (1696-1733)
1733-38 Anne Therese de Rohan
Daughter of Charles III de Rohan, 5th Duc de Montbazon, Pr de Guéméné, etc, and
his second wife Charlotte Elizabeth de Cochefilet. One sister was a nun at
the chapter and two of her sisters were also abbesses, Marie Anne Benigne, at
Panthemont and Angelique Eleonore at Preaux and Marquette. She lived (1684-1738)
1738-92 Catherine-Henriette de Montmorin
Doubled the Monastery buildings. One of the wings, the porch of the actual rue Montmorin and the chaplain's residence is still the major part of the Abbey.
From 1790, the lands of the Abbey were confiscated by the revolutionary
Committee, the buildings were put up for sale and the expulsion order was
promulgated in 1792.
This event was to be the death of the Abbess. She passed away on September 27th.
From 1792 Acting Head of the Abbey, Coadjutress Gabrielle de Tane
Left with the nuns. Empty of its inhabitants,
the abbey was divided into 34 lots and sold in 1793.
The Church, the chapter and the cloister were destroyed, the claustral buildings
were transformed into houses along roads cut across the Abbey.
But out of the 58 nuns expelled a few stayed on in the village, succoured by the
population. The locals carried the reliquaries, bells and statues of the Abbey
to the Parish Church in order to save them from destruction. They even tried to
make a request to the Committee for the Protection of the General Public in
favour of the sisters. Those who came back discretely to live under the shadow
the cloister were they had made profession were welcomed kindly repaying by
their services and their example those who helped them.
Twenty-six nuns survived in this way, waiting and watching in prayer. They
bought back plots of the Abbey and kept a look-out for the eventuality of the
revival of conventual life.
1837-40 Madame Sainte Symphorose Bagot
The first abbess after the chapter was founded again
1840–1881 Madame Athanase Gilquin
During her term in office, almost all the former monastic
buildings were bought back. The church was rebuilt in 1863, the Abbey was
canonically erected, the Constitutions drafted and approved.
The monastery was in full development when the law of separation between Church
and State was promulgated in 1901.
1881–1908 Madame Benoît Bernier
The laws of expulsion
obliged the her to decide to go into exile. The community sought refuge in
Belgium then in Holland at New Herlaar.
Around 1935 Madame Angèle Bontemps
Abbey became in a military hospital. in 1915 and 4 nuns
remained in Jouarre to
look after the wounded. At the time she governed the community, and she came
back to the monastery in 1919 with a group of nuns from Holland. In reply to the request of Pope Pius XI in regard to the dealings of monasteries
with the exterior, she set up the class of Regular
Oblates for outside services and the apostolate.
In 1940, during the Second World War, a brief exodus forced the nuns to leave
the monastery again but for a few months only.
1956-65 Madame Pierre Vidard
1965-95 Aguilberte de Suremain
1995-2007 Marie-David Giraud
2007- Geneviève Barrière
Abbey of Mons
The Abbess held the position of
Abbey Nullius
and territorial authority of the surrounding fiefs.
........
Abbey of
Montvilliers
The Madame Abbesse exercised ecclesiastical juridiction in 28 parishes
in Normandy, including Saint-Paul and Eauplet by Rouen. It was abandoned during the
revolution in 1792.
1065-1116 Elisabeth
Started rebuilding the chapter after it had been ravaged by the Vikings 200
years before.
11...
Matilda FitzRoy
She was daughter of King Henry I of England and Isabelle de Beaumont-le-Roger.
Her father had one surviving ligitmate daughter - Empress Mathilde, who was heir
to the throne and reigned shortly before she was deposed. He had at least 20
illigitimate children
Around 1241 Marguerite de Sargines
Around 1398
Marie de Noyers
Mid 1400s
Germaine de Chambray
Daughter of Jean III de Chambray, seigneur de Chambray and Gilette Cholet
Mid 1400s Jeanne de Chambray
...Claire Motier de La Fayette
Daughter of VI Gilbert IV Motier de La Fayette,
Seigneur de Saint-Romain, de
Hautefeuille and de Pontgibault and Isabeau. (b. 1482-?).
1593-1643 Louise de L'Hôpital
Appoined by a bulle by Pope Clement VIII. One of 3 Abbesses from the Dynasty.
Daughter of
François, Seigneur de Vitry and de Coubert and Anne de La Maisonfor and aunt of
Abbess Anne. Her religious, social and administrative reforms contributed to the
prosperity of the Abbey and the inhabitants of the town of Montivilliers. She lived (1567-1643).
......Louise de Montivilliers
Daugther of Nicolas, Marquis de Vitry et
d'Arc, Count de Châteauvillain and Seigneur de Coubert and Lucrèce Bouhier
Until 1662 Anne de L'Hôpital
Daughter of François, Count de L'Hôpital and Rosnay and Charlotte
des Essarts, the Maitresse of King Henri
....... Madeleine Kadot de Sebbeville
......
Marguerite de Gonzague
Around 1770 Germaine de Conty d'Hargicourt
Unpopular and accused the sisters of misusing the revenues of the abbey.
The
Monastery of Remiremont
(including Saint Pierre, Metz and 72 other lordships) (Chapitres
de dames nobles de Remiremont (Saint-Pierre de Remiremont)
Remiremont was the most illustrious monastery in whole of Europe. It was
founded ca 620 and transferred to its present location in 818. In 1070 the Abbey
was granted "Reichsunmittelbarkeit" - it became an immediate realm of the impire
and in 1088 the Abbey was placed directly under the authority of the Pope. From
the end of the 11th century the transformation into a secular chapter for noble
ladies began. Through the centuries the chapter was in dispute with the Dukes of
Lorraine even though a high number of the canonnesses and the Abbess was from
that family, and when the Emperor removed the privellege of an Immediate
Territory in 1566, the chapter ignored this and kept using the title as
Princess-Abbess.
The Abbess, who
was elected among the highest nobility, was granted the title of Princesse
d'Empire - Princess of the Holy Roman Empire in 1290 or 1307.
She reigned over 74 lordships, and as sovereign of the territory she had
the right to choose the mayor of Remiremont from a list proposed by the nobles
of the city. The mayor's deputy, the Grand Eschevin, was chosen by the mayor
from a list of 3 candidates presented by the bourgeois of the city with her
advice.
Until circa 622
Abbesse Actefleda
Until circa 652 Abbesse Clara
Until circa 673 Abbesse Gebetrude
Also known as Gertrud, she was probably sister of Abbot
Adelphius and a niece of Abbess Klara
Util 819/20 Abbesse Waldrada I.
She was the 17th Abbess
819/20-862/65 Abbesse Teuthildis de Metz
A relative of the Senescal Adalhard, Count of Metz, of the
family of the Matfriede
Around 960s Abbesse Ermengardis
Around 970/75 Abbesse Uulfrada III
Around 970s/980s Abbesse Gisela I.
Around 980's-begining of 1000s Abbesse Haduidis I
Around 1000
Abbesse Richenza de Lorraine
She was daughter of Count Hermann I Pusillus, Count in Auelgau and Count
Palatine of Lorraine (945-996), and Heylwig von Dillingen.
Abbesse
Around 1000-1020 Abbesse Uuilleburga
Circa 1020-35 Abbesse Berscinda
Daughter of Gerard/Gerhard II von Metz, Count of Elsass and Eva von Luxemburg.
She lived (After 1013-40)
1035-68/70 Abbesse Oda d'Alsace
Also known as Ode de Luxembourg, she was daughter of Gérard d'Alsace, Comte de Metz
and Duke of Lorraine, and Gisèle
Around 1065 Dame Doyenne Bilarde
1070-circa 1115 Dame Abbesse Gisèle II von Lothringen of
Remiremont and Saint-Pierre-aux-Nonnains in Metz
She falshified a document that stated that she optained independent political
position of the abbey from Emperor Heinrich IV on 28. September 1070 and the
document showing that Pope Urban II placed the abbey
directly under his protection in 1088 was also falce. She lived
(1070-1114).
Circa 1114-61/4
Dame
Abbesse Judith I de Lorraine
1139-61/4 Dame Abbesse
of Saint-Pierre-aux-Nonnains in Metz
Also known as Judith de Vaudemont, she succeeded her aunt Gisèle II and was in
dispute over the authority over the chapter with her counsins, Simon I and
Mathieu I and Lorraine, and did not hesitate to appeal to Emperor Konrad III to
maintain her rights. She was daughter of Thierry II of Lorraine and Hedwig von Formbach.
Circa 1114-23 Dame Doyenne Emma
Around 1151 Dame Doyenne Berthe
Circa 1155-60 Dame Doyenne Eve
Circa 1160-65 Dame Doyenne Ide
1161/64-89
Dame Abbesse Euphronia de Lorraine
Also known as Fronica she was daughter of Duke Dietrich II.
de Châtenois of Lothringen
1189-1211 Dame Abbesse Clémence de Lunéville
Circa 1176-80 Dame Doyenne Adélaide
Around 1194 Dame
Doyenne Clémemce de Vois
Circa 1211-1232 Dame
Abbesse ... de Lorraine
The daughter of
Duke Friederich von Bitsch and Lorraine and Ludmilla of Poland (d. 1242),
her name has been lost.
1232-42 Dame
Abbesse Agathe de Lorraine
Also known as Agatha von Bitsch, she
succeeded her sister. She was also Abbess of
L'Entanche and Bouxières, from before 1236.
1242-80
Dame
Abbesse Agnès II de Salm
After her death, there was 2 candidates for her succession: Marguerite de Bayon
and Agnès de Glère. She was daughter of Count Heinrich III. of Lothringen
and Judith of Lothringen
Around
1287 Dame
Abbesse Anne I de Glère
Abbess of Säckingen and charged with the administration of Masevaux when she was
imposed as Abbess by Emperor Rudolf von Habsburg. Later excommunicated for
ursurping the abbasiate.
1288-92 Dame Doyenne Clémence
d'Oiselay
1292 Secrète
1306-24/26 Princess-Abbess
Also known as d'Oyselet, d'Oiselet
or Oizelay, she was granted the title and rank of a
Princess of the Realm (Princesse d'Empire / Reichsfürstin in 1607. She was
daughter of Jean
d'Oyselet,
Seigneur de Flagey, the issue of an illegitemate branch
of the Counts of
Bourgogne
Around 1290 Princess-Abbess Laure-Félicité de Dombasle
Raised to the rang of Princesse of the Empire (princesse d'Empire) in 1295, the same year a peace-treaty was concluded with the Duke of Lorraine,
Ferry III, after years of dispute over control of the territory.
In 1284
Emperor Rudolph had married Elisabeth de Bourgogne in the abbey. She was member
of a line of the countly family of Salm.
Circa 1293-circa 1303 Princess-Abbess Catherine I de Vaudemont
1294-98 Dame Doyenne Gertrude
1300 Dame Doyenne Simonette/Pétronille de Dommartin
Before 1322 Dame Doyenne Clémence de Scey
1324/26-47 Princesse-Abbesse
Jeanne I de Vaudemont
Daughter of Henri II de Vaudemont, Count de Vaudémont et d'Ariano and
Helissende de Vergy, Dame du Fay, and lived (circa 1267-1347)
1329-46
Dame Doyenne Jeanne de Lanques
The list is not totally consistant - several women are named as Dame Doyennes at the
same time.
Before 1330 Dame Doyenne Judith
Before 1333 Dame Doyenne Marie de Bergues
Before 1334 Dame Doyenne Jeanne de Mont
Before 1336 Dame Doyenne Béatrix d'Arcey
Before
1340 Dame Doyenne Alix de Marey (Known as Adèle)
1350 Princess-Abbess
Simonetta de Vara
Also known as Symonate de Varre
1350-74 Eleonore de Chalon
d'Auxerre
Also known as Aliénor, she was the 10th child of John II de Chalon and Alix de Bourgogne.
1351
Dame Doyenne Marguerite de Charmes
Also sometime Abbesse
1358 Dame Doyenne Isabelle de Scey
1359 Dame Doyenne Cathrine de Saint-Remy
1366-70
Dame Doyenne Guye de Granges dite d'Arbois
Secrète circa 1370-76.
1369-1404 Princess-Abbess Jeanne II d'Aigremont
In 1371, an act stated that there were 21 ladies in residence. Her long reign
contributed to the development and stability of the chapter.
1395
Dame Doyenne Cunégonde d'Oricourt
1404-06 Administratrice
1406
Dame Doyenne Cathreine de Saint-Aubin
1406-07 Administratrice
1407-1412
Catherine de Blâmont
The
successor of Jeanne d’Aigremonts, she was removed from office by Pope Gregory
XII.
1412-18 Princess-Abbess Henriette II
d'Amoncourt
She had been Secrète 1381, 1384 and afterwards. Her election
in 1307 was contested by
the supporteres of Catherine de Blamont, Abbess of Epinal (d. 1408), and Henri de Blamont deployed his troops
in the territory, making it impossible for her to take up her position until
1412. Appointed Princess of the
Realm from 1415
1414-21
Dame Doyenne Isabelle de Demangevelle
1421-44 Princess-Abbess
Also known as
Yasabel. In 1441 Duchess Isabelle de Lorraine stated in a document that the
chapter had 40 noble ladies residing.
1418 Princess-Abbess Marguetite II de Salvaine
Also known as Grilde
de Salverne
1432 Dame Doyenne Alix de Ville-sur-Illon
1427-52
Dame Doyenne
Jeanne III
d'Anglure de Germainvilliers
1473-1505
Princesse-Abbesse
In the beginning of the sixteenth century discipline was lax and the
nuns, without the pope's consent, declared themselves canonesses. They did not
take the vows and admitted only novices who could give proof of noble descent.
Also Dame de Germainvilliers. (d. 1505).
1444-52 Princess-Abbess Henrica III de Vienne
Also known as Henriette de Vienne
1452-53 Princess-Abbess Jenne III de Chauviré
1452-55
Dame Doyenne
Alix de Paroye
1455-73 Princess-Abbess
In 1468 the territory was hit by
plague.
1473 Princess-Abbess
Catherine II de Neufchatel
Her election was not confirmed.
A sister, Agnes, was canoness at Remiremont until her death in 1474 and another,
Marguerite, was Abbess of Baume-les-Dame. They were children of Thibaut
IX, Lord de Neufchatel, de Blamont, etc, Vicomte de Baume, Marshall and
Captain-General of Burgundy and Bonne de Chateauvillain, Dame de Grancey.
Catherine lived (1455-1501)
1474 Jeanne d'Anglure
1487 Dame Doyenne Clémemce d'Uzès
1505-07
Princess-Abbess
Agnes II de Dommartin
As
sovereign of the territory she had the right to choose the mayor of Remiremont
from a list proposed by the nobles of the city. The mayor's deputy, the Grand
Eschevin, was chosen by the mayor from a list of 3 candidates presented by the
bourgeois of the city with her advice.
1507-20
Princesse-Abbesse Alix de Choiseul
Also known as
Aleidis, she resigned in favour
of Madeleine de Choiseul shortly before her own death.
1520 Princess-Abbess Madeleine de Choiseul
1528-44 Coadjutrice
1544 Princess-Abbess
She was selected by her predecessor, but not elected by the ladies of the
chapter as the rules stipulated, which caused some protests, and she resigned in
favour of Nicole de Dommartin, who resigned shortly after in favour of
Marguerite d'Haraucourt. This on the other hand was contested by
Marguerite de Neufchâel, who appointed Madeleine as Coadjutrice when she
prevailed in 1528 after years of incertanties. After Madame de Neuchâtel's death
Madeleine was Princess-Abbess for a few months' before being succeeded by Madame
d'Haraucourt.
1520- Princess-Abbess Nicole de Dommartin
Her election as successor of Madeleine de Choiseul, was contested by Marguerite
de Neufchâtel, Abbess of Baume, and she soon resigned in favour of Margureite d'Haraucourt,
but Madame de Neufchâtel prevailed in 1528, and appointed Madeleine de Choiseul as
coadjutrice.
1528-44 Princess-Abbess Marguerite III de Neufchatel
Since 1520 she had contested the appointment of Madeleine de Choiseul, the
election of Nicole de Dommartin and her resignation in favour of Marguerite
d'Haraucurt and in 1528 she finally gained the upper hand, and then appointed
Madeleine de Choiseul as coadjutice. Marguerite's sister, Bonne, succeeded their brother, Thibaut XI, as Dame de Neufchatel in
1500/04 and lived until 1515. Her younger sister, Elizabeth de Neufchatel was
Dame de Chatel-sur-Moselle, etc, They were children of Claude, Lord de
Neufchatel, etc, Vicomte de Baume, Governor of Luxembourg and Burgundy, Marshall
of Burgundy, etc. and Bonne van Bolchen. Marguerite lived (circa 1480-1544)
1544-68
Princesse-Abbesse
Marguerite IV d'Haraucourt
Adound 1520 Madeleine de Choiseul had resigned as Princess-Abbess in her favour,
but Marguerite de Neufchâtel prevailed in the powerstruggle in 1528. After her
death in 1544 she was succeeded by Madame de Choiseul, who was in office for a
few months before she died. Marguerite d'Haraucourt was also
known by the surname of d'Ubex
because her family owned the castle Ubexy, which had been inherited by Elisabeth
d'Haraucourt in 1543, the wife of Nicolas du Châtelet, who had no children. She
was
the 42nd Abbess of the Chapter. In 1565 the war of "panonceaux" broke out
between Duke Charles III of Lorraine and the ladies of the chapter, who used the
Imperial Eagles in the city shield to show their independence. Charles profited
by the fact that Emperor Maximillan II was tied up in Hungary and used force to
have his sovereignty recognised.
1565-68 Coadjutrice
Renée de Dinteville
1568-80
Princesse-Abbesse
Elected because duke Charles III of Lorraine preferred an Abbess from the local
nobility of the Duchy. 1579 was forced to accept Barbe de Salm as Coadjutrice of the
Chapter.
1579-80 Coadjutrice Barbe de Salm
1580-1602
Princesse-Abbesse
The other canonisses refused to accept the automatic succession of
Barbara von Salm and instead they elected Huberte de Chastenay and appealed to
the pope, but he ruled in favour of Barbe, who appointed her rival as
Coadjutrice and managed to build up a good relationship with the ladies of the
chapter.
1588 the territory was again hit
by the plague.
1580 Coadjutrice Huberte de Chastenay
Elected as Princess-Abbess by the ladies of the chapter, but the pope accepted
the automatic succession of Barbe de Salm, who appointed her as Coadjutrice.
1602-11
Princesse-Abbesse
Elisabeth I de Salm
Resigned in favour of Catherine de Lorraine ad received a large pension.
She was daughter of Friedrich I de Salm, Wild- und Rheingraf in Dhaun et
Neuviller-sur-Moselle and Franziska zu Salm. Around 1605 the copper production
in the mines at Thillot reached its
maximum.
1609-12 Coadjotrice Catherine de Lorraine-Vaudemont
1612-48 Princesse-Abbesse Catherine IV
In 1638 the troups of Turenne occupied Remiremont for a month. The following
year she obtained the neutrality of Vosges (for Epinal, Remiremont, Bruyère, St
Dié, Arches) for the rest of the Thirty Years War war. She tried to reform the
convent, but failed and also founded the Monatery of the Ladies
du Saint Sacrement in Nancy, and
was daughter of François II de
Vaudemont, duke of Lorraine, and lived (1576-1648)
Around 1609 Dame Doyenne
Claude de Fresnel
Leading in the opposition against the Coadjutrice Catherine de Lorraine and
appealed to the pople, who again took the part of the Ducal family of Lorraine.
1648-57 Princess-Abbess Elisabeth II d'Alençon
of Remiremont
Elisabeth-Marguerite d'Orléans, Mademoiselle d'Alençon was 2 years old when
she was elected as sovereign of the chapter, and therefore her parents, Gaston
Jean Baptiste de France, Duke d'Anjou, d'Orléans, Chartres, Valois, d'Alençon,
comte de Blois, Monthéry et de Limours, baron d'Amboise, seigneur de Montargi
and Marguerite de Lorraine, reigned for her. She never visited the chapter
and in 1657 she married Duke Louis Joseph de Guise (1650-71) with whom she had one
child, François Joseph de Guise (1670-75). The former Princess-Abbess lived
(1646-96).
1657-60
Princesse-Abbesse Marie-Anne of Lorraine
Elected Abbess at the age of 11, she was
daughter of Nicolas
François, who resigned as Cardinal in 1634 to become Duke of Lorraine
(1634-61), and Claude de Lorraine (1612-1648). She lived (1648-61).
1657-60 Administrator the Dame Doyenne N.N.
1661-1702
Princesse-Abbesse
Dorothée-Marie de
Salm
She was elected Coadjutrice with the right of succession as a child, and when
Marie-Anne died, she was elected Abbess. 1677 she moved to the chateau of some
relatives, Neuviller-sur-Moselle, 3 days of travelling from Remiremont, where
she took up the fight for her position against the Administratrice, Bernarde de
Cléron de Saffre,
The territory was hit by an
earthquake
in 1688. 1691 she travelled to Paris to
plead her case before the king and the ladies of the chapter send Madame de
Bourdonné as their envoy. 1693 the king confirmed the seigneurial rights over
the town of Remiremont and continued to share the rights of high, middle and low
court with the town. Orignally named Dorothea Maria zu Salm, she was was daughter of
Prince Leopold Philipp Karl zu Salm and Countess Maria Anna von
Bronckhorst-Batenburg, Heiress of Anholt, who died in Remiremont in 1661, and lived (1651-1702)
1660-66 Joint Administratrice Hélène
d'Anglure
As Dame Doyenne she was Second-in-Command. She protested against the election of Dorothée de Salm as Abbess, since she was below the required age of 25 at the
age of her election, but the Pope dispended for the rule, but she remained in
dispute with Dorothée until her death.
1660-77 Joint Administratrice
Bernarde de Cléron de Saffre
1666-84-1704-? Dame Doyenne
Held the office of Dame Sonière and held as adminsitrator together with the Dame
Doyenne, Hélène d'Anglure, for the under-age Princess-Abbess Dorothée de Salm.
After she was elected as Madame d'Anglure's successor she continued
the powerstruggle with the Abbess, who named her sister, Christine, as
"Second-in-Command" in 1700 and it was her who acted as Regent for the minor
Elisabeth Charlotte Gabrielle Lorraine from 1700 and 11 years onwards, not Bernarde.
1702-10 Administratrice
Christine de Salm
In 1684 her sister Princess-Abbess Dorothée de Salm, had her named as
Second-in-Command against the ancient tradition where the Dame Doyenne was the Deputy
to the Abbess. She was then named Secréte, the third-in-command, after the death of Anne
de Malain de Lux by the Pope, but never-the-less the ladies of the chapter
elected Elisabeth-Gabrielle-Françoise Rouxel de Médavy to the post, but
Christina von Salm contnued as her sister's de-facto deputy, and she was Acting
Head of the chapter during the minority of Élisabeth-Charlotte. She lived (1653-?).
1703-11 Princess-Abbess Elisabeth Charlotte
Gabrielle de Lorraine
Her father, Duke Léopold of Lorraine, tried to impose her as Coadjutrice with
the right of succession. The Princess-Abbess Dorothée asked the Professors at
Sorbonne for advice, but they did'nt answer before her death 2 years later, so
King Louis XIV imposed Élisabeth as sovereign of the territory. She never
visited Remiremont, and lived
(1700-11)
1705-11 Coadjotrice
Béatrix Hiéronyme de Lorraine-Lillebonne
17011-38 Princesse-Abbesse
Known as the "Mademoiselle de Lillebonne", she had lived in the entourage of the Grand Dauphin at Versailles, but after his
death, she became Abbess. Also known as Mademoiselle de Lillebonne, she was daughter of Charles IV de Lorraine
and Béatrix de Cusance. She built a Hospital for the sick, poor and orphans, and lived (1662-1738).
1711-circa 17 Dame Doyenne Barbe des Armoises
1738-73
Princesse-Abbesse Anne Charlotte
I de
Lorraine
1754-73 Secular Abbess of the Chapter of Sainte-Waudru in Mons
1756-73 Coadjutrice of Thorn
1757-73 Coadjutrice of Essen
The sister of Princess-Abbess Elisabeth Charlotte Gabrielle, she
lived with her mother, Elisabeth d'Orléan in Commercy 1738-45 and was
represented by Edmée de Ténarre-Montmain by her election and she also took
posession of the chapter in her name. As a marriage with Prince Charles de
Lorraine was contemplated in 1743 a delegation of the ladies of the chapter
visited her and her mother and paid their compliments to "Her Royal Highness
Madame the Duchess and Her Serene Highness the Princess Abbess". After her
mother's death she paid a brief visit on the way to Vienna where her brother,
Franz, had been elected Emperor. She lived at his and Empress Maria-Thersia's
court until she was elected Abbess of Mons and moved there. 1764 she named
Christine de Saxe as Coadjotrice. She lived (1714-73)
Circa 1717-60 Dame Doyenne Hélène de Cleron
1744-59 Administratrice
The 2 Ducal Commissioners to the Chapter participated in her election even
thought it was against the rules. She was the Head of the CHapter in the absence
of the Princess Abbess, Anne Charlotte de Lorraine. (d. 1759).
1759-89 Dame Doyenne Hyacinthe
Céleste de Briey de Landres
1760-89 Administratrice
Succeeded Hélène as Head of the Chapter for the absent Princess Abbess Anne
Charlotte de Lorraine, who lived in Austria and Mons. Hyachinthe Céleste lived
(1713-89).
Until
1764 Coadjutrice Marguerite Louise de Lorraine-Marsan
Daughter of Charles Louis de Lorraine-Marsan (1696-1755) and Elisabeth de
Roquelaure (1697-1752), and lived (1723-64).
1764-73
Coadjutrice Christine de Saxe
1773-75 Princesse-Abbesse
Marie Christine von Sachsen, Royal Princess of Poland was
the sister of the Dauphinie and named Coadjutrice after the personal
intervention of king Louis XV. She held her festive entry to the chapter 18
moths after her election. From 1779 she lived in Strasbourg and only returned to
Remiremont for very brief visits. She was daughter of King Friedrich August III of Poland and aunt of King Louis XVI.
Her sister, Maria Kunigunde,
was Princess-Abbess of Essen and Thorn from 1776. Marie Christine lived (1735-82).
1775-82 Coadjutrice Anne Charlotte
de Lorraine-Brionne
1782-86 Princesse-Abbesse Anne Charlotte II
She arrived at Remiremont in 1784 and only visited the chapter a few times. She
was daughter of Louis III Lorraine-Harcourt-Armagnac, duc de Lorraine-Harcourt,
comte Armagnac and his third wife Louise de Rohan. She lived (1756-86).
1786-90 Princesse-Abbesse Louise Adélaïde de Bourbon-Condé
Did not visit the chapter more than three times a year during her short term
in office. She was also known as Mademoiselle de Condé, she was daughter of Louis Joseph de Bourbon-Conde, Prince de Conde et Duc de
Bourbon and Charlotte de Rohan-Soubise (1737-1760). She spend much of her life
in exile, and lived (1758-1824).
1789-90 Dame Doyenne and
Adminsitratrice N.N.
Perhaps the position was held by Madame de Ténarre-Villers, who had been elected
Secrète in 1783.
Abbey of Woffenheim in Lorraine (im Lotharingischen Reichsgebit)
The Abbess held the position of
Abbey Nullius
and territorial authority of the surrounding fiefs.
........
Last update 23.05.13