Historical Figures

Anne of Brittany (1477 - 1514)

Anne of Brittany is the daughter of Duke Francis II of Brittany. Heiress to the Duchy of Brittany at the age of 11, she married Maximilian of Austria. Charles VIII, dissatisfied with this alliance, sends his troops against Brittany and submits most of the Breton towns, then besieges Rennes where Anne has taken refuge. Under military pressure from Anne de Beaujeu, Anne de Bretagne marries Charles VIII. When the king died, she married his successor Louis XII. Anne will try to marry her eldest daughter Claude to Charles de Habsbourg, future Charles Quint. But the king will oppose it. Anne died at 37 before she could secure the future of her Duchy of Brittany.