‘I think I am destined to be the object of the folly of madmen‘ – Marie de Rohan 1600-1679

This is my FAVE quote by Marie. It comes from a letter that she wrote to one of her friends – about Cardinal Richelieu, who had executed one of her closest friends, imprisoned several more, led another to the block before he issued an order for the executioner to refrain from chopping off his head.

Richelieu had also exiled several of Marie’s relatives to other countries, exiled her from Paris and sequestered all of her estates, executed another friend by guillotine.

Deep breath – exiled Louis XIII’s own mother, Marie de Medici, to another country, banished George Villiers, Duke of Buckingham from EVER entering France again (on pain of death,) sent her best friend, Wat Montagu to the Bastille, banned ALL but a select few from the Queen, Anne of Austria’s presence, chosen “Cardinal” Mazarin as his successor, made sure that Louis’ sister (Henriette Marie – Catholic) lived in purgatory in England when she married Charles I Stuart (Protestant)

And – even after death – could be made responsible for the murder of Marie’s closest daughter by poison!!!

How’s that for a Control Freak ?

P.S. He did MUCH worse to Europe. Thirty Years War, anyone?