Anne of Brittany ,
Great Hours of Anne of Brittany,
miniature, c. 1503–1508) In January 1499, following the death of
Françoise de Dinan (Anne of Brittany's governess), Michelle de Saubonne served
Anne of Brittany as a lady-in-waiting, managing her jewels and clothing. In 1505, she was chosen to serve as a companion of Anne of Brittany and took care of the queen's jewels and linens. She shared the role of queen's secretary with Hélène de Laval. She was instrumental in bringing
Jean Marot to the French court, whose poems were admired by the queen. She also introduced the queen to other writers of that time, including
Jean Lemaire de Belges. In 1510, she was appointed by
Louis XII to the post of
Governess of the Children of France. As a royal governess, she was in charge of the education of the king and queen's youngest daughter,
Renée of France. She was banished from court in 1515 by
Francis I of France for opposing the annexation of
Brittany to the French crown and for her support for Anne of Brittany over
Louise of Savoy. She left the court with her four children and lived at her home
Château du Parc-Soubise.
Renée de France ,
Renée, Duchess of Ferrara, c. 1530 Michelle de Saubonne was the governess to the royal couple's daughter,
Renée, Duchess of Ferrara, from 1528 to 1536. By the time that Renée was four years old, her parents had died. Since Michelle and Anne were best friends, Renee's governess became her mother figure and guardian, as Anne said before she died, "I give her to you and want you to be her mother, restoring to her the friendship you have given me." She was responsible, too, for her education. Renée married
Ercole II d'Este, Duke of Ferrara, who was born into Este and Borgia families. He developed the inclination to see evil motives in the people around him. When arrangements were made for her marriage, Renée stipulated that she would be bringing Michelle de Saubonne and her three daughters with her to Ferrara. Michelle was appointed as governess for the two daughters and son of the Duke of Ferrara. Michelle and Renée's daughters became distinguished for their intelligence and influence. The city of Ferrara was an intellectual and artistic center, just second in Italy to Florence. Scholarly, religious, and artistic luminaries were welcome at court. For instance, the duchess welcomed
John Calvin and
Jean Marot to Ferrara and the most influential people radiated around Michelle, who was said by
Guillaume Budé to be a woman of wisdom and important connections. Renée's court became a learning center for talented humanists, and she was a reputed patron of the arts and philanthropist. Renée became a
Huguenot and Michelle translated psalms for her. Ercole disapproved of the French people's influence at his court. He removed many people in the court of Ferrara that he thought were dangerous or against the Catholic Church, but it was not easy to remove his wife's close companions. The Duke of Ferrara went on a long trip to Rome in 1535, providing a peaceful and productive work-period at the court. For instance, Marot's works became freer and bolder during this time. Ercole returned to Ferrara in 1536. Convinced that Michelle influenced Renée to distance herself from Catholicism, Ercole ordered the evacuation of Michelle and her daughters. Marot wrote the epistles
Epitres, XL and
Epitres, XLI for Michelle and her daughter Renee, respectively to mark their loss from the court. He also wrote the song: The duchess sequestered herself in her suite of apartments to avoid Ercole and the possibility of being poisoned. Ultimately, he removed all of duchess's French companions. Beginning in 1540, Renée refused to go to confession or attend mass. In 1548, Ercole II imprisoned his wife. ==Poitou==