Madame de MAINTENON and her memory of the house of Saint-Cyr.

Françoise d'Aubigné, Marquise de MAINTENON (1683-1715)

Signed autograph letter addressed to “Monsieur l’Evesque and Count of Noyon”.

Two pages ¾ in-8°. Address and wax seal of arms.

In Versailles this December 9 [1703]

« These examples must make us tremble because we see in everything that the poor are evangelized and the rich rejected. »

Beautiful autograph letter signed by Mme de Maintenon addressed to Claude-Maur d'Aubigny evoking the house of Saint-Cyr.

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“ I praise God with all my heart for the blessing he has given to your word and for the consolation you must have in the state of grace where he was who died so unfortunately. I was struck first and understood your pain, but the circumstance that you were subsequently marked shows that it was a stroke of Providence. I strongly hope that she will lead you through everything Sir, and I fear your zeal and your severity in relation to your health more than all the harm that your canons could do to you . I understand that the crowd of people who follow their Bishop gives you great pleasure. These examples must make us tremble because we see in everything that the poor are evangelized and the rich rejected .

I saw your dear nephew whom Mr de Noailles presented to the King yesterday. He is completely mature and wise. I would like with all my heart to be able to see him freely but I am neither mine nor my loved ones. Our holy friend came to St Cir to examine Miss de Boufflers for her profession. I felt more holiness in him than ever. His health is still weakened and I fear very much that we will lose him. You and I will be more distressed than anyone. He is very happy with St Cir and you have too much kindness for this community not to say that the good you have seen there increases every day. The new superior is wonderful, it’s a great joy for me. But as you say, Sir, there is nothing that is not mixed with bitterness, I have my share of it, thanks to God. Pray for me and believe me as sincerely as I am, Sir, your very humble and very obedient servant. Now »

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Abbot Claude-Maur d'Aubigny (1658-1719) was named bishop of Noyon in 1701 and, later, archbishop of Rouen. He was one of the regular correspondents of Mme de Maintenon who, in February 1703, recommended Louis d'Aubigny, the bishop's nephew, so that he could find a good place in the army.

Jeanne-Françoise de Boufflers will make her solemn vows on December 29, 1703, thus making it possible to date the letter which lacks the year: similarly, the new Superior of Saint-Cyr, Mme de Fontaines, had succeeded Mme de Hallé in August 1703 , dead in charge.

( Letters from Madame de Maintenon, complete and critical edition by Hans Bots and Eugénie Bots-Estourgie, III, 2011, nº 426.)