Anne of Brittany

Anne
Miniature depiction in the Grandes Heures of Anne of Brittany, by Jean Bourdichon (c. 1503–1508)
Duchess of Brittany
Reign	9 September 1488 – 9 January 1514
Enthronement	10 February 1489
Predecessor	Francis II
Successor	Claude
Queen consort of the Romans
Tenure	19 December 1490 – 15 February 1492
Queen consort of France
Tenure	6 December 1491 – 7 April 1498
Coronation	8 February 1492
Tenure	8 January 1499 – 9 January 1514
Coronation	18 November 1504
Queen consort of Naples
Tenure	2 August 1501 – 31 January 1504
Born	25/26 January 1477 Nantes, Brittany
Died	9 January 1514 (aged 36) Blois, France
Burial	15 February 1514 Saint Denis Basilica
Spouse	Maximilian I, King of the Romans (later Holy Roman Emperor) ​ ​ (m. 1490; ann. 1492)​ Charles VIII, King of France ​ ​ (m. 1491; died 1498)​ Louis XII, King of France ​ ​ (m. 1499)​
Issue more...	Charles Orlando, Dauphin of France Claude, Queen of France Renée, Duchess of Ferrara
House	Montfort-Brittany
Father	Francis II, Duke of Brittany
Mother	Margaret of Foix
Signature

Anne of Brittany (25/26 January 1477 – 9 January 1514) was Duchess of Brittany from 1488 until her death and Queen of France twice—first from 1491 to 1498 and again from 1499 until 1514. She is the only woman in history to have been Queen of France twice. During her life, she also held titles like Queen of Naples and Duchess of Milan.

Anne became Duchess of Brittany at age 11 when her father, Francis II, died. As one of the richest heiresses in Europe, she was quickly sought after in marriage. She first married Maximilian I, Holy Roman Emperor by proxy, but Charles VIII of France saw this as a threat to his power. He waged war and forced her to break that marriage. In 1491, Anne married Charles VIII. Unfortunately, none of their children survived, and when Charles died in 1498, Anne had to marry his cousin and successor, Louis XII, to secure Brittany's continued connection to France. Together, Anne and Louis had two daughters.

Anne worked hard to protect the independence of Brittany. She arranged for her daughter to be engaged to Charles of Austria, but after Anne's death in 1514, her daughter married her cousin, Francis I of France. This eventually led to the formal union between France and Brittany.

Anne is remembered as a strong and dedicated ruler of Brittany. She defended her duchy against French control and left a lasting cultural impact, especially in the Loire Valley, where she contributed to the building of several châteaux. After her death, Anne became a symbol of Breton pride and patriotism.