Sorel, Agn�s, known as Dame de Beaut� c.1422-1450
French mistress of Charles VII of France

She was born in Fromenteau, Touraine. She was in the employment of Isabel of Lorraine, who was related by marriage to Charles, and was the king's mistress from 1444 until her death. Sorel was the first to be publicly aknowledged as the 'official' mistress of the king, a position of some significance during the ancien r�gime. A beautiful woman beloved by Charles, she exerted considerable influence over him and, was given an estate at Beaut�-sur-Marne, hence her nickname. Soon after the birth of her fourth child, she died of dysentery, but the atmosphere of intrigue that had developed at the court resulted in her death being attributed to poison. The dauphin (later Louis XI) was suspected, probably by scandal-mongers trying to discredit him before the king.