Queen Henrietta Maria

Excerpt from the historical monologue "400 Years of English History" presented by artist/historian George S. Stuart as part of an exhibit of his Historical Figures at the Ventura County Museum of Art and History in Ventura California. Visit the Gallery of Historical Figures online at http://www.galleryhistoricalfigures.com.

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[clementjb]

@zimnaya During the reign of Louis XV the eldest unmarried daughter of the king was known as Madame (tout court) as well as by the titles you list. During previous reigns it was the king's brother's wife who held this title, but Louis XV had no brothers. Under Louis XVI Madame Royale was used for his daughter Marie-Thérèse, since his sister-in-law the comtesse de Provence was known as Madame.

[zimnaya]

Alors voilà une chose d’intéressant que je ne savais pas auparavant! It would seem, however, that the title Madame Royale had almost fallen into desuetude by the time of Louis XV…Madame Infante, Madame Deuxième, Madame Troisième, Madame Quatrième, Madame Cinquième, Madame Sixième and then as Louis XV emphatically said, “Madame Dernière”!

[zimnaya]

@TaliaA1990 Do you not think that 'hate' is rather a strong word? Although hatred has been described as 'a failure of the imagination' one might, with good reason hate Hitler, Stalin and Mao Tse Tung for the incomprehensible evil of their lives, but Henrietta Maria...? Please! The woman was acting in conscience. She believed that her Catholicism was right, just as Puritans believed their 'no fun/glum' existence was the only way to God. People were much more committed then, so 'hate' her? No

[clementjb]

@zimnaya Unlike the British title The Princess Royal, the French title Madame Royale was not settled on a princess for life. It was hers only as long as she remained the eldest unmarried daughter of the sovereign. So, during the interval between the marriages of her elder sisters and her own marriage, Henrietta would have been known as Madame Royale.In general the various court titles of French royals were much more fluid than their English equivalents.

[1Thunderfire]

@Patrick3183 Charles didn't have much say in the matter. James I arranged the marriage to create an alliance between England and France against Spain. He was also trying to find 'the middle way', a balance between the Catholics and Protestants, especially the Puritans.

[dollyvuitton]

@JohnsonofLondon Hey what does he say when he says

"He found her charming, ___ , warm and a comfort."

2:15

[dollyvuitton]

@Patrick3183 Hey what does he say when he says

"He found her charming, ___ , warm and a comfort."

2:15

[Patrick3183]

I don't understand why Charles didn't marry a Protestant lady.

[zimnaya]

Henrietta Maria was, without a doubt, the most beautiful Queen Consort that England has ever seen. She was, in truth, the youngest child of Henri IV and therefore not Madame Royale - that title went to her elder sister who was Queen of Spain. After the rocky beginnings of their marriage, she was a stalwart, supporting and loving the King just as related here.

She never forced her Catholicism down the public throat and heard daily Mass in her own private chapel. Altogether, she had 7 children

[JohnsonofLondon]

It's a good argument what you put. Although she it's evident that she was strong minded and it seems that Charles allowed himself to become under the thumb. But just imagine what she had to go through when she heard the news that her husband had suffered a horrific death. She was sent the news a week after the execution took place.