Death of Agnès Sorel ~ Charles VII Mistress
Agnès Sorel is popularly depicted in lavish gowns, that exposed her favourite breast, but the French noblewoman was much more than a strong fashionista.
Born in 1422 into a family of the lesser nobility at Fromenteau in Touraine, Sorel’s “superhuman” beauty preceded her.
Historian Joseph Delort wrote in 1824 –
“The reputation of her striking beauty soon crossed the limits of Touraine, and drew near it an infinity of magnificent lords”.
But, like a bejeweled crown of exquisite luxury, her otherworldly looks were fit only for a king.
It didn’t take long for the young woman to catch Charles VII’s eye.
Among many other vices, he had a weakness for women and a sensitivity to beauty.
Charles VII had a crowd of anonymous mistresses, or rather a sort of harem, a traveling deer park, who followed him everywhere.
But Sorel was different, she was not only stunning, but incredibly intelligent and kind.
The king was hooked.
She rarely left the king’s side, and no gift was too extravagant.
Among the wealth of jewelry, clothing, and properties he lavished on her, Sorel received what is believed to be the first cut diamond, as well as the fairy-tale Château de Beauté, from which she derived her famous title.
Charles even gave his love the next best thing to a wedding ring: official recognition as his mistress.
Despite Sorel being effectively reduced to that one exposed breast in art and memes alike, the evidence that she actually dressed like this is scarce.
Sorel is cast as the “producer and inventor” of inappropriate styles of dress, which politician Jean Jouvenel des Ursins described as including~
“front openings by which one sees the teats, the n!pples, and breasts of women.”
Not to be underestimated as mere arm candy, Sorel indisputably changed the course of the kingdom.
Charles VII was by all accounts, a pretty useless king.
He was too busy satisfying his “need for pleasure” in month-long frenzies of gambling, drinking and womanizing.
But, as soon as Sorel arrived on the scene, the king was a new man.
Sorel urged the king to overcome his laziness, and
Charles finally became interested in his business.
She encouraged him to use his common sense and to listen.
In fact, Sorel’s contribution to France was so instrumental, that it has been placed by some historians as on par with that of Joan of Arc.
Sorel died on 9th February 1450, aged just 28 and pregnant with their fourth child.
Dysentery was Sorel’s official cause of death, but the widespread rumors of poisoning were finally confirmed by forensic scientist Philippe Charlier in 2005.
So who orchestrated the poisoning of the King’s favourite?
It is widely believed to be the work of the Dauphin, the future Louis XI.
This power-hungry man made it his life mission to undermine his father’s rule ~ and Sorel, who practically shared the crown, stood in his path.
It’s easy to be seduced by the popular image of Agnes Sorel.
But, whether or not she actually ‘freed the n!pple’ – France’s first official mistress was much more than a pretty face, or a lovely boob.
As a result of her controversial position, her misguided adversaries, and most of all, her beauty, Agnes Sorel has not received from history, all that she’s due….
Agnes Sorel as ‘The Virgin And Child With Angels’ ~ By Jean Fouquet c.1452
