Anne, Duchess of Brittany, was the richest woman in the world during the early Renaissance. Her life's goal was to protect the independence of Brittany from the French crown and this would prove to be a great source of tumult and discord during her short life.
Anne was born on January 25, 1477 and was the daughter of Francis II, Duke of Brittany by his wife Margaret of Foix. Having no sons, her father instructed that she be raised like a future sovereign, learning the ways of governance and diplomacy, as well as language. Francis died on September 9, 1488; Anne, not even twelve, became duchess.
Anne was a very sought-after bride. Nobles from all over Europe wanted her hand; however, it was eventually decided that she would marry Maximilian I of Austria. The two were married by proxy in December of 1490. The French saw this as an insult and lodged many complaints against the marriage. Her husband, being absent, could do little to protect his wife. The French seized on the opportunity, essentially capturing her and forcing her to be married to Charles VIII. Austria didn't like this, but they weren't really in a position to quarrel. Pope Innocent VIII deemed Anne's marriage to Charles valid. The French gained further triumph when the marriage contract included the clause that Anne must marry Charles' successor, should she outlive him.
All of Anne's children by Charles would die before exiting childhood, which was a great source of grief for the young queen. Charles himself expired when Anne was twenty-one-years-old. Upon her next marriage to his successor, Louis XII, the widow Anne was described as a pale-faced reflection of her formerly vibrant self.
Anne had a considerable amount of power with her marriage to Louis. When she married him, she made him agree that she would have the right to be the Duchess of Brittany. Though he issued decrees in her name, he was only her ducal consort.
With Louis, Anne produced her first issue to survive childhood, her daughter, Claude. Anne arranged to marry Claude to Charles of Luxembourg, a tactical ally in France's war with Italy. However, Louis was wary of the match. With only Claude and her sister, Renee, surviving, he became certain Anne would never give him a son. So, to protect France, Louis broke off Claude's engagement to Charles and promised her to the French heir, Francis of Angouleme, instead. Louis's betrayal upset Anne greatly and she tried her best to negate the French match. When it seemed her efforts were futile, she promoted Renee to become Duchess of Brittany instead. This, too, amounted to Anne's defeat.
Anne died on January 9, 1514 at the age of thirty-six due to complications stemming from a kidney stone. A tragic heroine, she remained true to Brittany until the last. Forced into marriages she didn't want to be a part of, it was her husband's ambitions for his own throne that undid everything she sought to achieve for her duchy.