Estrées, Angélique, d' (fl. 16th c.)

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Estrées, Angélique, d' (fl. 16th c.)

French abbess. Name variations: Abbess of Maubisson. Dau. of Antoine d'Estrées, marquis of Coeuvres, and Françoise Babou de la Bourdaisière d'Estrées; sister of François-Annibal d'Estrées, bishop of Noyon and constable of France, and Gabrielle d'Estrées (1573–1599).

Had numerous affairs, then joined the Convent of Maubisson, where she became abbess; not only continued to take lovers, but encouraged the young nuns in her charge to do the same, outraging even the lenient church hierarchy of the time; was eventually banished to the Renaissance equivalent of a home for delinquents, where she lived out the remainder of her life under close observation.

See also Women in World History.

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