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The Vagabond Duchess: The Life of Hortense Mancini Duchesse Mazarin

The Vagabond Duchess: The Life of Hortense Mancini Duchesse Mazarin

Paperback

Historical FiguresBritish History

ISBN10: 1026067634
ISBN13: 9781026067635
Publisher: Tradd Street Press
Published: Feb 14 2026
Pages: 336
Weight: 1.04
Height: 0.70 Width: 6.14 Depth: 9.21
Language: English
The Vagabond Duchess: The Life of Hortense Mancini Duchesse Mazarin is a detailed biographical study of one of the seventeenth century's most fascinating and unconventional figures. As the most beautiful and spirited niece of the powerful Cardinal Mazarin, Hortense Mancini was born into the highest echelons of European power, yet her life became a testament to her pursuit of independence against the rigid constraints of her era. From the splendor of the French court of Louis XIV to the vibrant culture of Restoration England, her story is one of high-stakes intrigue and personal defiance.

The work chronicles Hortense's disastrous marriage to the eccentric Duc de Meilleraye and her subsequent daring escape across Europe to flee his control. Upon reaching London, she became a prominent figure in the court of Charles II, serving as one of the King's influential mistresses and a patron of the arts. Cyril Hughes Hartmann expertly navigates the social and political landscapes of the time, illustrating how Hortense's life intersected with major historical events and figures. The Vagabond Duchess provides a rich, historical narrative that emphasizes the challenges faced by aristocratic women and the enduring allure of a woman who chose to live on her own terms.

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