Henri II de Bourbon, Prince De Conde just happened to be the grandson of a paternal uncle of Henri IV, and next in line to the throne after Louis XIII’s brother; Gaston.
Seems that a soothsayer had once told the Prince that he would be King of France by the age of 35, and when Du Plessis heard of it, he went to the Regent and was able to convince her to make the arrest. (This would be just one of many underhanded tactics used by the cleric on his way to the top).
“My zeal in your service will never allow me to yield to any other the title that I shall fervently guard for the end of my days: that of your most humble servant.”
Neither was a love match, and in fact the King of France was homo-sexual. On his wedding night he had to be carried to Anne’s bed chambers, kicking and screaming, by his close friend and confidante; Charles D’Albret.
This must have been quite an ordeal for the two fifteen year olds, but they got the job done. However, it would be twenty-two years before they would create an heir; the future King Louis XIV.
Richelieu was sure to pay his respects to the Queen Mother, who had just witnessed two of her children joined in well engineered marriages, and she quickly named him to the post of Almoner to the new Queen-Consort. This put him in a very strategic position, though Anne would soon grow to fear and detest him. Within a year and a half the cardinal had wormed his way into her husband’s domain, and they secretly watched her every move.
This did not sit well. Anne was the exact opposite of her husband and her beauty and zest for life attracted many of the young nobility, who flocked around her court, within a court, at the Louvre. Many times she would lock horns with the stern schoolmaster Richelieu, but would never break her husband’s loyalty to the man, even though he also grew to fear him.
Consino was handsome and dashing and soon after his arrival at Court, was sharing the Queen’s bed and confidences. He became her personal advisor, and was able to amass quite a fortune; but not without it’s price.
Making many enemies, the arrogant Italian, became hated by others, and when a rumor began circulating that he was planning a rebellion to not only oust his rival, Cardinal Richelieu, but the King himself, Louis took advantage of the situation to order his death. On April 24, 1617; he was gunned down when entering the Louvre, and his body torn apart by the Paris Mob. This was just about the time that the Hebert family were leaving for Kebec.
Sadly, to ensure that he would have no further trouble; King
Loius XIII, ordered the execution of Leonora, and when she
was beheaded, he wrote of the event:
who had gathered to watch her, she exclaimed: 'How many people have gathered to see one poor wretch go by"' Her humility before God made her also humble before men. His grace in her brought about a change in those who watched. They became different people; their eyes were drenched with pity"
