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Authors: Freda Lightfoot
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churn in her stomach. The deed was done.
The ceremony was celebrated with a ball and banquet, the days following filled with hunting-parties, jousts, races, tilting at the ring and other manly sports, while the nights were devoted to more dancing, plays, masques and ballets. There was much rivalry between the local Florentines and the noble lords from France, not all of it friendly. No expense was spared in the joyous festivities, and when it all finally came to an end, preparations were quickly concluded for her departure.
Marie was delighted to learn that the daughter of her old nurse, one Leonora Dori, was to attend her. She was a skinny little woman with no marked good looks, her dark eyes seeming too large for her elfin face, and most prominent. But she possessed great skill in dressing hair. And there was a stillness about her gracious movements, quiet voice and humble demeanour, of which Marie rather approved.
âI am grateful that you should agree to my appointment, Your Majesty. I will do my utmost to give satisfaction,â the woman humbly assured Marie.
âThe King has granted permission for your appointment. Iâm sure weâll do very well together as I was always fond of your mother. What of your father? Is he not a carpenter?â
âHe was, Your Majesty, but he passed away some time ago. I have nothing to hold me to Italy. I am yours, body and soul.â
Leonora was outwardly timid and unobtrusive, the kind of woman most people would not even notice when present in a room. But she was nothing if not ambitious, and recognized a good opportunity when it was offered. Being of lowly stock she was concerned about how she might be received in the French Court. Having Carlo Dori, a carpenter, for a father would not impress the aristocratic nobles of France. As a consequence she had done some research and discovered that at some distant time in the past the Dori family had been loosely connected with the noble Galigai, and for a sum of money the Florentine familyâs only survivor, a childless old man, was willing to acknowledge the kinship. Leonora showed this proof to the Queen.
Feeling rather sorry for her, Marie did not examine the document too closely, but accepted it as true. âThen from now on you shall be Donna Leonora Galigai, and my dame dâatours , albeit in an unofficial capacity until we have the Kingâs blessing . â
Leonora was delighted. The role of the dame dâatours , or mistress of the robes, was the most senior rank in the Queenâs household at the French Court. As well as taking care of the royal garments she would attend the sovereign at her levée to hand her a petticoat or gown. The dame dâhonneur assisted, as did the première femme de chambre and perhaps as many as twelve femmes and lavandières . But her position would be the most important and much coveted.
Donna Leonora was well satisfied, and particularly pleased with herself today. Among the cavaliers who were to be a part of the Queenâs entourage was one Concino Concini, a handsome young man who had quite caught her eye. He was to be included because he was the son of Giovanni, once a loyal and wise minister to Cosimo I. Admittedly, the younger Concini had not inherited his fatherâs eminence or good fortune, Duke Ferdinand accusing him of leading a somewhat dissolute life. But then he was young and hot-headed. He was tactful and courteous, and had certainly managed to charm the Queen. Leonora had caught him casting interested looks in her direction, which thrilled and excited her. It seemed that her dull, quiet life had suddenly taken a turn for the better, and with everything to play for to make it even brighter in the future.
On the thirteenth of the month Marie de Medici set forth upon her long journey, accompanied by her new dame dâatours , her aunt the Grand-Duchess, her sister the Duchess of Mantua, half-brother Don Antonio, and her handsome cousin the
The ceremony was celebrated with a ball and banquet, the days following filled with hunting-parties, jousts, races, tilting at the ring and other manly sports, while the nights were devoted to more dancing, plays, masques and ballets. There was much rivalry between the local Florentines and the noble lords from France, not all of it friendly. No expense was spared in the joyous festivities, and when it all finally came to an end, preparations were quickly concluded for her departure.
Marie was delighted to learn that the daughter of her old nurse, one Leonora Dori, was to attend her. She was a skinny little woman with no marked good looks, her dark eyes seeming too large for her elfin face, and most prominent. But she possessed great skill in dressing hair. And there was a stillness about her gracious movements, quiet voice and humble demeanour, of which Marie rather approved.
âI am grateful that you should agree to my appointment, Your Majesty. I will do my utmost to give satisfaction,â the woman humbly assured Marie.
âThe King has granted permission for your appointment. Iâm sure weâll do very well together as I was always fond of your mother. What of your father? Is he not a carpenter?â
âHe was, Your Majesty, but he passed away some time ago. I have nothing to hold me to Italy. I am yours, body and soul.â
Leonora was outwardly timid and unobtrusive, the kind of woman most people would not even notice when present in a room. But she was nothing if not ambitious, and recognized a good opportunity when it was offered. Being of lowly stock she was concerned about how she might be received in the French Court. Having Carlo Dori, a carpenter, for a father would not impress the aristocratic nobles of France. As a consequence she had done some research and discovered that at some distant time in the past the Dori family had been loosely connected with the noble Galigai, and for a sum of money the Florentine familyâs only survivor, a childless old man, was willing to acknowledge the kinship. Leonora showed this proof to the Queen.
Feeling rather sorry for her, Marie did not examine the document too closely, but accepted it as true. âThen from now on you shall be Donna Leonora Galigai, and my dame dâatours , albeit in an unofficial capacity until we have the Kingâs blessing . â
Leonora was delighted. The role of the dame dâatours , or mistress of the robes, was the most senior rank in the Queenâs household at the French Court. As well as taking care of the royal garments she would attend the sovereign at her levée to hand her a petticoat or gown. The dame dâhonneur assisted, as did the première femme de chambre and perhaps as many as twelve femmes and lavandières . But her position would be the most important and much coveted.
Donna Leonora was well satisfied, and particularly pleased with herself today. Among the cavaliers who were to be a part of the Queenâs entourage was one Concino Concini, a handsome young man who had quite caught her eye. He was to be included because he was the son of Giovanni, once a loyal and wise minister to Cosimo I. Admittedly, the younger Concini had not inherited his fatherâs eminence or good fortune, Duke Ferdinand accusing him of leading a somewhat dissolute life. But then he was young and hot-headed. He was tactful and courteous, and had certainly managed to charm the Queen. Leonora had caught him casting interested looks in her direction, which thrilled and excited her. It seemed that her dull, quiet life had suddenly taken a turn for the better, and with everything to play for to make it even brighter in the future.
On the thirteenth of the month Marie de Medici set forth upon her long journey, accompanied by her new dame dâatours , her aunt the Grand-Duchess, her sister the Duchess of Mantua, half-brother Don Antonio, and her handsome cousin the
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