The Femme Fatale of the Fronde: Anne de Montpensier at the Bastille

In this episode of The Story of France, Lucas and Luna explore the dramatic life of Anne de Montpensier, known as La Grande Mademoiselle, the greatest heiress in 17th-century France who took up arms during the Fronde rebellion. They discuss her decision to fire the Bastille's cannons on the royal army, her role in the aristocratic uprising against Cardinal Mazarin, and the consequences that led to her five-year exile. The conversation covers the complex politics of the Fronde, the personal ambitions of the noble rebels, and how Montpensier's gender and status shaped her fate. Lucas highlights key figures like the Grand Condé, Gaston d'Orléans, and the young Louis XIV, while Luna questions the motives and legacy of a woman who defied her king. The episode also touches on her memoirs, which offer a rare female perspective on 17th-century French politics, and her eventual reconciliation with the Sun King. Listeners will gain insight into a turbulent period of civil war that tested the limits of royal authority and the role of women in early modern France. #AnneDeMontpensier #LaGrandeMademoiselle #TheFronde #CardinalMazarin #Bastille #GrandCondé #LouisXIV #GastonDOrléans #FrondeDesPrinces #CivilWar #17thCenturyFrance #WomenInHistory #Memoirs #FrenchHistory #RoyalRebellion #FexingoHistory #History #Europe Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo