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Montespan, Françoise Athénaďs, Marquise de, known as Madame de Montespan 1641-1707
French courtier

Born in Tonnay-Charente, the daughter of the Duc de Mortemart, she married the Marquis de Montespan (1663), and became attached to the household of the queen. In c.1668 she became the mistress of Louis XIV. The marquis was exiled to Guyenne, and his marriage was annulled (1676). The Marquise de Montespan reigned supreme until 1682, and bore the king seven children, who were legitimized, but she was then replaced by Madame de Maintenon, the governess of her children. In 1691 she left the court, and retired to a convent.

Bibliography: Jean Christian Petitfils, Madame de Montespan (1988)