Anne of Brittany

Anne of Brittany was the daughter and heiress of Francis II, Duke of Brittany. She became the Duchess of Brittany in 1488, after her father's death. She was married three times: first to Maximilian I, King of Germany, by proxy in 1490, but the marriage was annulled by Pope Innocent VIII in 1492; second to Charles VIII, King of France, in 1491, as part of the Treaty of Sablé that ended the Mad War between France and Brittany; and third to Louis XII, King of France, in 1499, after Charles VIII's death. She was the only woman to be queen consort of France twice. She had twelve children, but only two survived to adulthood: Claude, who became the Queen of France and the Duchess of Brittany; and Renée, who became the Duchess of Ferrara. Anne was a strong and influential ruler who defended the autonomy and interests of Brittany within the French kingdom. She was also a patron of arts and culture, commissioning many works of literature, music, architecture, and painting. She owned a rich collection of books and manuscripts, including the famous Book of Hours that bears her name. She was known for her piety and charity, founding several hospitals and convents. She died in 1514 at the age of 36, after suffering from kidney stones for several years. She was buried at the Saint Denis Basilica alongside her second and third husbands. She is regarded as one of the most remarkable women of her time and a symbol of Brittany's identity and heritage.