Yolande de Polastron

Yolande Martine Gabrielle of Polastron countess then duchess of Polignac was the girl of Jean François Gabriel, count of Polastron († 1794), lord of Noueilles, Venerque and Grépiac, and of Jeanne Charlotte Herault (1726 - 1756). It was born the September 8th 1749 with Paris the same day and the same year as the princess from Lamballe which it succeeded Versailles near the queen and died the December 9th 1793 with Vienna (Austria).

Friend and confidante of the queen Marie-Antoinette it was one of the emblématiques stars and one of the characters of the court of France under Louis XVI.

Biography

She marries in 1767, with 18 years, the count Jules de Polignac (1746 - 1817) captain of the Regiment of Royal-Dragons, wire of Héracle-Louis, Viscount of Polignac (1717 - 1802), and of Diane de Mazarin (1690 - 1755).

In 1775, it meets with Versailles the queen Marie-Antoinette who conceives for it a sharp friendship. It supplants soon the princess of Lamballe, like better friend and confidante of the young queen, charmed by her enjoué naturalness and its spirit.

Although not involved for itself, the duchess of Polignac will obtain quickly, of the king like queen, favors for his. In 1779, Louis XVI equips his daughter, Aglaé, with height of 800 000 delivers S, colossal sum equivalent to 6,4 millions of Euro S 2006. The royal Treasury also sponges the debts of the couple Polignac (400 000 delivers S is 3,2 millions of Euro S 2006), while the remainder of the family and the close relations also benefit from the basket, like Diane de Polignac, or Vaudreuil. Madam de Polignac will be high with the row of duchess and, in 1782, it obtains the load of Controlling royal children.

Rumors run about its relations with the queen. Especially, the Polignac, as well as the others Favorite S, like the baron de Besenval, are interfered policy. They are called “the party of the queen”, which still harms the reputation of the latter.

When the French revolution bursts, thinking that M me de Polignac, violently insulted since years, could run a danger, the sovereigns require of him with insistence to take the road of the exile. The July 16th, after the catch of the Bastille, in an indescribable disorder, the family of Polignac leaves Versailles, with a purse of 500 louis, given by the Queen. As there was only little place in the truck, one did not take along luggage and each traveller had only some shirts and handkerchiefs. She will thus leave with his corroded sorrow. The most tender good-bye of the friends; the word is dreadful, but it is needed; I have only the force to kiss you. writing Marie Antoinette with M me de Polignac.

The family of Polignac began a wandering life, energy of country in country, Suisse, Italy, with Turin, and Rome, and each time, M me de Polignac wrote with the Queen and received missives of the Queen or the King showing their attachment. In March 1790, the family left for Venice, and Yolande Maria her Armand son. In July 1791, they took refuge with Vienna. M me de Polignac was tested so much that it did not have the taste with nothing and did not cease crying. It decayed. The last blow was carried to him when she learned in 1793, that the Queen had died the October 16th. Then the anguish of the duchess started. Devoured pain and of sorrow, corroded by the Cancer, it will die the December 9th 1793. One buried it with Vienna, and one engraved on the tomb stone his name followed by the mention Died of pain the December 9th 1793 . It had only 44 years. His/her father will be guillotine in June 1794.

It is the mother of Jules de Polignac.

Sources

Diane de Polignac, Newspaper of Italy and Switzerland , Paris, the Amateur of Autographs, 1899 (consultable on Gallica)
Campan, (Henriette Broom), " Memories of Mrs Campan, first chambermaid of Marie-Antoinette" , Mercure de France, 1999 (consultable on Gallica - " Memories on the private life of Marie-Antoinette, queen of France and Navarre" , Baudouin Frères, 1823)

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