Marie-Félicie des Ursins

Marie-Félicie des Ursins (Italian: Maria Felice Orsini; 11 November 1600, Pitti Palace, Florence – 5 June 1666, Moulins-sur-Allier) was the wife of Henri II de Montmorency, governor of Languedoc.

Wise and pious, very focused on charity and good works, she lived at the Château of Chantilly, choosing to reside in a cottage ("Sylvie's House") in the park in order to escape the bustle of the main building. The duchesse de Montmorency retired permanently to the Convent of the Visitation at Moulins-sur-Allier after her husband was executed for treason on 30 October 1632.

Her inspiring life and character, combining tenderness and strength, earned her the admiration of contemporaries and the praise of many poets. It was Théophile de Viau who gave her the nickname "Sylvie" in reference to her love of woodland animals. She gave the libertine poet her friendship and protection. La Silvanire by Jean Mairet is dedicated to her.

Bibliography

Mémoires sur la vie de Marie Félicie des Ursins de Montmorency. Mgr. Paul Fliche. Poitiers: H. Oudin frères, 1877. (2 vols)
Le journal des Demoiselles, A. Chevalier, 15 October 1900.

Authority control	WorldCat Identities VIAF: 83019901 ISNI: 0000 0001 0677 8954 SUDOC: 083786309 BNF: cb14916567k (data)

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