'Noblewomen and Family Fortunes in Seventeenth-Century France and England. A Study of the Lives of the Duchesse de La Tremoille and her Sister-in-Law, the Countess of Derby'

Date(s): April 2004

Creator(s): Kmec, Sonja

Scope & Content: Submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy at the University of Oxford (Harris Manchester College). The author analyses the French Hugenot nobility under Richelieu and Mazarin based on the example of a prominent French Protestant family, La Tremoille of Thouars, and in particular the friendship between Charlotte de la Tremoille, who married James Stanley, future 7th Earl of Derby, and her sister-in-law, Marie de la Tour, Duchesse de la Tremoille.

Drawing on a correspondence that spanned forty years, the author analyses the two noblewomen's lives, their trans-national network of support and freedom of action enjoyed within the patriarchal framework of their own country. The six chapters cover landed fortunes, female authority in noble households, material display of status and wealth, family piety and religious politics, female involvement in politics and networks of power and influence. Appendices include genealogical tables, maps, portraits, a bibliography and both a short and long abstracts.

Language: English

Extent: 2 volumes

Item name: thesis

Collection: Manuscript Archive

Level: ITEM

ID number: MS 11075

Record class: Private

Access conditions: No regulations or restrictions are implemented on this material. Advance notification of a research visit is advisable by emailing library@mnh.gov.im

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