Synopses & Reviews
The memoirs of Hortense (1646and#8211;1699) and of Marie (1639and#8211;1715) Mancini, nieces of the powerful Cardinal Mazarin and members of the court of Louis XIV, represent the earliest examples in France of memoirs published by women under their own names during their lifetimes. Both unhappily marriedand#8212;Marie had also fled the aftermath of her failed affair with the kingand#8212;the sisters chose to leave their husbands for life on the road, a life quite rare for women of their day.
Through their writings, the Mancinis sought to rehabilitate their reputations and reclaim the right to define their public images themselves, rather than leave the stories of their lives to the intrigues of the courtand#8212;and to their disgruntled ex-husbands. First translated in 1676 and 1678 and credited largely to male redactors, the two memoirs reemerge here in an accessible English translation that chronicles the beginnings of womenand#8217;s rights to personal independence within the confines of an otherwise circumscribed early modern aristocratic society.
About the Author
Sarah Nelson is assistant professor of foreign languages and literatures at the University of Idaho.and#160;and#160;
Table of Contents
Acknowledgments Series Editorsand#8217; Introduction
The Memoirs of Hortense and Marie Mancini
Volume Editorand#8217;s Bibliography
and#160;
To M.***and#160; [The Memoirs of Hortense Mancini]
The Truth in Its Own Light; or, The Genuine Memoirs of M. Mancini, Constabless Colonna
Appendixes
A. Genealogical Chart of the Mazzarino and Mancini Families
B. Map of Present-day Western Europe
C. Map of Present-day France
D. Map of Present-day Italy
and#160;Series Editorsand#8217; Bibliography Index