Suzanne, Duchess of Bourbon
| Suzanne | |
|---|---|
| Duchess of Bourbon | |
 |
|
| Spouse | Charles de Bourbon |
| Full name | |
| Suzanne de Bourbon | |
| House | House of Bourbon |
| Father | Peter II, Duke of Bourbon1 December 1438- 10 October 1503 |
| Mother | Anne of France |
| Born | 10 May 1491 Château de Châtellerault |
| Died | 28 April 1521 (aged 29) Palace of Chatellerault |
Suzanne de Bourbon (10 May 1491 – 28 April 1521) was suo jure Duchess of Bourbon and Auvergne from 1503 to her death. Her husband was Charles de Bourbon.
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[edit] Early life
She was the daughter and only surviving offspring of Peter II, Duke of Bourbon, and Anne of France, daughter of King Louis XI of France. She became duchess regnant in 1503 after the death of her father. Her mother, Anne became her regent during her minority and negotiated for several different marriages to ensure that she was given a spouse who would protect her position.
Suzanne had a brother named Charles who was born in 1476 and died in 1498. With this incident, his father was heirless (he had no male offspring). Should he die without a male heir, the title Duke of Bourbon would go to a distant relative. Peter never wanted this to happen, so, in 1498, the couple sent a letter to King Louis XII of France requesting that seven-year-old Suzanne was allowed to succeed after Peter's death. He responded affirmatively.
[edit] Marriage
One of these marriage proposals resulted in her betrothal on 21 March 1501 to Charles IV, Duke of Alençon, which had required a Papal dispensation. For reasons which are unknown, the betrothal was annulled, and Anne was forced to look for another husband for Suzanne.
On 10 May 1505, at Château du Parc-les-Moulins, Suzanne married her cousin Charles de Bourbon, head of the Montpensier family, a cadet branch of the Bourbons. Her husband was made her co-ruler through marriage.
[edit] Issue
She gave Charles an heir who was born on 17 July 1517 and baptised François in October 1517 after his father's good friend, King Francis I of France. The child was given the title Comte de Clermont. However, he died after living for only a few months. In the wake of his death, she gave birth to stillborn twins.
[edit] Death
Suzanne died at Château de Châtellerault. Her health had been frail throughout her last years. Her mother, who had always feared about her daughter's health, outlived her by one year. Her husband kept his position as Duke of Bourbon after her death. Her death without heirs caused her lands to eventually become a part of the kingdom of France. She was buried in the Priory of Souvigny.
[edit] Succession
| Preceded by Peter II |
Duchess of Auvergne and Bourbon Countess of Clermont-en-Beauvaisis, Forez, and La Marche 1503–1521 |
Succeeded by Charles III |
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