Diane de Grandseigne (c. 1610 – 11 February 1666), sometimes spelled as de Grandsaigne, was a French noblewoman and mother of Madame de Montespan.
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Biography
Diane was born sometime around 1610, she was the daughter of Jean de Grandseigne, Marquis of Marsillac, and Catherine de La Béraudière, Lady of Villenon. She was titled as Marquise of Grandseigne and was lady-in-waiting to Queen Anne of Austria. Diane was described to have been a pious and gentle woman.
Marriage and issue
In 1632, she married Gabriel de Rochechouart, a childhood friend of Louis XIII. The marriage was characterised by their opposite personalities. While Gabriel was a womanizer, Diane was a pious woman. An anecdote from the time is often used to summarize their relationship:
One evening, when he had come home very late as was his habit, she, who was waiting up for him, could not help but ask in a vexed tone:
"Where have you been? Will you spend your whole life like this with devils?"
To which M. de Mortemart replied:
"I do not know where I come from, but I do know that my devils are in a much better mood than your good angel."
Despite the nature of the marriage, the couple had 5 children. Diane was reportedly a woman with a strong sense of maternal duty who raised her children with deep faith in God.
Death
Diane died on 11 February 1666 in Poitiers.