The Dauphines of France, 1350-1491

Abstract

In 1349, the French Crown purchased the Dauphiné region and its associated titles. In the same year, Jeanne of Bourbon, wife of the future Charles V, became the first of many women to be given the title dauphine de Viennois. The title of dauphine corresponded to that of dauphin the heir apparent, and, like the dauphin, the dauphine became a role with a particular set of duties and expectations. This thesis examines the roles of the first seven dauphines over a 141-year period, beginning in 1350 and ending in 1491. The dauphines who make up this study are Jeanne of Bourbon, Marguerite of Burgundy, Jacqueline of Hainaut, Marie of Anjou, Margaret of Scotland, Charlotte of Savoy, and Marguerite of Austria. Each of the dauphines were subjected to the same expectations namely; she was to help secure the survival of France’s ruling Valois dynasty by producing heirs and peace-weaving. Her marriage, like those of other princesses, was used to cement political alliances. These expectations are subtly woven into contemporary, or near contemporary sources that mention the dauphines. Christine de Pizan’s Livre des trois vertus, however, offers unparalleled insight into what was expected of the dauphine. Christine wrote the text for Marguerite of Burgundy, to serve as a guide to the young dauphine. Therefore, this text has been used as a framework through which all other sources have been read to illuminate contemporary conceptions of the dauphines’ role.