This book considers the life and legacy of Renée de France (1510-75),
the youngest daughter of King Louis XII and Anne de Bretagne, exploring
her cultural, spiritual, and political influence and her evolving roles
and actions as fille de France, Duchess of Ferrara, and Dowager
Duchess at Montargis. Drawing on a variety of often overlooked sources -
poetry, theater, fine arts, landscape architecture, letters, and
ambassadorial reports - contributions highlight Renée's wide-ranging
influence in sixteenth-century Europe, from the Italian Wars to the
French Wars of Religion. These essays consider her cultural patronage
and politico-religious advocacy, demonstrating that she expanded upon
intellectual and moral values shared with her sister, Claude de France;
her cousins, Marguerite de Navarre and Jeanne d'Albret; and her
godmother and mother, Anne de France and Anne de Bretagne, thereby
solidifying her place in a long line of powerful French royal women.