Agnes d'Harcourt

Agnes d'Harcourt (died 1291) was an author and the abbess of the Abbey of Longchamp.

d'Harcourt became a nun and joined the convent at Longchamp in 1260, serving alongside the abbey's founder, Isabelle of France. During her time at Longchamp d'Harcourt was appointed abbess, and she remained at the abbey as a nun until her death. While serving as abbess, d'Harcourt wrote Life of Isabella, the biography of her friend, colleague, and eventual saint, Isabelle. The book is considered one of the "most valuable works of the early French writer."

Life and family Agnes d'Harcourt was the daughter of Jean I, baron of Harcourt and vicomte of St. Sauveur, and his wife Alix of Beaumont. d’Harcourt’s family had strong connections to the French royal family: her father fought alongside Louis IX and Phillip III on crusades, and her brothers were all in royal service; her oldest brother, Jean II, was field marshal and admiral of France, and three other brothers served as advisers to Philip III and Philip IV.

d'Harcourt was among the first group of women to enter Longchamp after it was established in June 1260. She served as Longchamp’s abbess for two terms, the first from 1266 to 1270 and the second from September 1281 to August 1287. It is possible that her first term was longer in duration, with scholar Sean Field theorizing that d'Harcourt’s first post lasted from 1264 to 1275. Instead, d'Harcourt highlighted Isabelle’s public work: “charity and care for the poor and unfortunate, her humility toward others, her renunciation of fine clothes [and] her role as founder of the abbey and author of its rule.”

Legacy

d'Harcourt is a featured figure on Judy Chicago's installation piece The Dinner Party, being represented as one of the 999 names on the Heritage Floor.