Claude Catherine de Clermont

Claude Catherine de Clermont-Tonnerre de Vivonne (1543 – 18 February 1603), lady of Dampierre, countess and duchess of Retz, was a French courtier, writer, and salon host.

Life Family and private life Claude Catherine de Clermont was born in Paris, the only child of Claude de Clermont-Tonnerre and of Jeanne de Vivonne. In 1562, she married Jean d'Annebault at 18 in an unhappy marriage, but was widowed at 20 after d'Annebault was killed in the Battle of Dreux in 1563.

In 1565, she married for a second time to Albert de Gondi on September 4, 1565, taking on the title Duchess of Retz. She and de Gondi had ten children together, 6 daughters and 4 sons. She was later appointed Governess of the Children of France, which entailed educating the children and grandchildren of the monarchy. Notably, Clermont became the lady in waiting to Medici’s daughter, Marguerite de Valois, who would later frequent her literary salon.

Clermont was also very active in political thought and influence. She was sympathetic towards protestants while also remaining supportive of the royal family. Her son, Marquis de Belleisle, did not share this support of the king, and formed a rebellion against Henry IV with other subjects. Claude-Catherine de Clermont initiated the cause of gathering soldiers, which eventually led to the demise of the short-lived rebellion. For her assistance in suppressing the rebellion, she was rewarded with wealth and honors by Henry IV himself. Salons allowed women to hold positions of power and influence, as women engaged in conversation with writers and scholars. This was true for Clermont, and she was highly respected within the salon. Salon Vert mainly hosted lovers of poetry, specifically pastoral poetry, but was also a place where people could exchange ideas and conversation. thumb leftWithin the salon, Clermont held an influential position, partly of her own creation. She adopted the pseudonym and persona “Dyctinne” in her Salon, who is a nymph in Roman mythology. Dyctinne is the attendant to Diana, much like Clermont was the attendant to Marguerite de Valois, who is often referred to as Diana in poetry. The adaption of this persona allowed Clermont to create a magical and inspiring setting for her salon guests, and gave her influence. Because Clermont and other women at the salon were seen as nymph-like figures, women were able to be somewhat removed from the misogynistic traditions of the time. The Poem “Le Sejour Dyctinne et des Muses” in the Retz Album of the Manuscrit Français 25455 writes about the Salon Vert, calling the salon group an “immoral band” created by Clermont. References to Clermont are also found in the writings of Etienne Jodelle and other male poets, as well as female poets, such as Anne de Thourville and Marguerite de Valois.

While Clermont was an inspiration in many other poets’ writings, she also circulated her own writings. However, these were mainly produced in manuscript, and little has been preserved.

Outside of the salon, Clermont had other interests. She was skilled in music, dance, and debate, dancing in the Ballet Comique de la Reine, which is commonly known as the first ballet de cour, or ballet that combined poetry, music, and dance. Clermont also showed her skill and interest in debate with her participation in the Académie du Palais debate.

Clermont was one of the very few women admitted to the Académie du Palais by Henry III, where philosophical and ethical topics and ideas were discussed with a focus on oratory and debate. The Académie required participation from everyone, and each person was chosen specifically for their abilities.

She was also a patroness of the arts, supporting the foundation of Jean-Antoine de Baïf's Académie de musique et de poésie in 1570.

Clermont died on February 18, 1603.