Claude de France (1499–1524)

French queen. Name variations: Claudia; Queen Claude; Claude Valois; Claude de Valois; Claude of France. Born on October 14, 1499, in Romorantin, France; died on July 20, 1524, in Blois, Anjou, France; eldest daughter of Louis XII (1462–1515), king of France (r. 1498–1515), and Anne of Brittany (c. 1477–1514); sister of Renée of France (1510–1575); married Francis, duc d'Angoulême, later Francis I, king of France (r. 1515–1547), on May 18, 1515; children: (three sons) Francis (1518–1536); Henry II (1519–1559), king of France (r. 1547–1559); Charles (1522–1545); (four daughters) Louise (1515–1517); Charlotte (1516–1524); Madeleine of France (1520–1537, who married James V, king of Scotland in 1537 and died a few months later); Margaret of Savoy (1523–1574).

A favorite daughter of Louis XII, king of France, and Anne of Brittany , Claude de France inherited two duchys: Milan and Brittany. Saint-Beuve maintains that if her mother had not died in 1514, Claude would have never married Francis I, king of France, for Anne "forsaw the evil treatment she was certain to receive." Saint-Beuve goes on to note that Claude's husband, the king, gave her "a disease that shortened her days." Claude was also treated harshly by the regent Louise of Savoy (1476–1531). But Claude "strengthened her soul as much as she could," continued Saint-Beuve, "by her sound mind and gentle patience and great wisdom." Following Claude's death, Francis married Eleanor of Portugal (1498–1558) in 1529, the sister of his adversary Charles V, in the interest of gaining the peace.