I’ve reviewed several books in the past focused on inspiring and powerful women such as Florence Finch, a Filipina American who risked her life to help American prisoners of war in Manila during World War II, and Maryland’s Virginia Hall who was a spy during that same war for the British and the Americans. And then there was the true story of Annie Wilkins, who traveled on horseback across the United States in the 1950s. Finding and sharing these stories is not only eye-opening but uplifting.
From Rural Roots to Royalty
The year is 1620. The setting is the Loire Valley in France. It’s here that readers will be introduced to a 16-year-old girl whose marriage was arranged to a 23-year-old nobleman whom she scarcely knew. Her angst was short-lived. By the time she turned 18, she was a widow.
Her thoughts and plans at this time in her life were to join the nuns at the nearby Carmelite convent.
However, she had a very influential and powerful uncle: Cardinal Richelieu, who had other aspirations for his favorite niece. One of those was for her to marry another aristocratic suitor of his choosing. He had several in mind: one who could advance and expand his ever-growing empire of influence with the church and the king.
She was devoted to Richelieu, and was also fiercely independent, intelligent, and a ready student. Under his tutelage, she was introduced to France’s high society, and she learned quickly how to cultivate connections. She was politically astute, and often acted as an able informant when she learned of conspiracies against her uncle. He had a lot of enemies.
The world of the 17th-century French monarchy has its own unique and often strange terrain. McShea takes readers right there as if she were guiding you through each room of their palatial surroundings pointing out the who’s who in each setting. There are many dukes, ladies, princes, and would-be heirs to the throne.
Cardinal Richelieu was certainly not alone in terms of public scrutiny. Marie fell victim to vicious rumors about her relationship with her uncle. She stood strong and remained loyal, discreet, and steadfast in her duties and responsibilities, which continued to grow as her uncle placed more administrative tasks on her as well as exposing her to opportunities for her own enlightenment and growth.
Making Her Mark
She flourished and created regular gatherings for artists, poets, musicians, and writers. While a protégé herself, she cultivated others as the years passed, particularly identifying and promoting the talents of the children of family and friends.Marie never married again and didn’t have any children of her own. With Richelieu as prime minister, she had a unique vantage point to understand the synergy of public and private funds, and how institutions could be helped or hindered. Her authority was unrivaled, particularly for a woman at that time.
She became very ambitious about the good that she could do for the church and for France. She created convents for aspiring nuns. She helped those aspiring to the priesthood.
She was a literary patroness. She helped authors—men and women—to get their works published.
Eventually, her reach extended beyond France and Europe to Asia and the Americas. She established a hospital in the Saint Lawrence River Valley in Quebec for Native Americans who were suffering from a smallpox epidemic and other diseases.
She held the key to many locked doors in the political life of France. She helped to shape foreign policy. She influenced culture and was particularly benevolent to the poor.
When Cardinal Richelieu died in 1642, his fortunes and holdings were vast. There were many waiting in the wings to lay claim to his wealth, but it’s his niece, the Duchesse d’Aiguillon and Peer of France, to whom he bequeathed everything, including priceless pieces of art and sculpture.
As she grieved his loss, she ascended to a position of even more prominence and power.
This book is long, a tome for sure. Readers will meet hundreds of characters through the pages, but at the center is a caring and complex woman whose compelling story is now being brought to life. McShea is Marie de Vignerot’s champion. She stands by her side allowing her spirit to shine in this brilliant and well-written biography.
