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Clémence de Bourges

1530 – 1557

French poet, woman of letters

Poet Woman of lettersWriter
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About Clémence de Bourges

Lived 1530 – 1557 (aged 26–27). Clémence de Bourges was a French poet, woman of letters and writer.

Clémence de Bourges (c.1530 – c.1563) was a French poet and noblewoman, and a literary figure of the Renaissance.

Clémence was the daughter of Claude de Bourges, seigneur of Mions in the Dauphiné; Claude was the lieutenant-general of finance for Piedmont and an official of the city of Lyon. Clémence belonged to the literary circle that gathered around Maurice Scève, Lyon's leading poet. Her own work has not survived, though it was still known in the mid-18th century, and she is now remembered mainly through the praises recorded by her contemporaries.

Clémence had been due to marry Jean du Peyrat, a Lyonnaise nobleman who died during the siege of Beaurepaire by Protestant forces in 1561/2; it is claimed that she afterwards died of grief and shock.

Another female poet of the era, Louise Labé, dedicated her collected works to Clémence in 1555, subsequently lamenting her early death, and Claude de Rubys, who also knew her, referred to her as "ceste perle vrayement orientale entre les damoiselles de Lyon". Louise's "epistre" to Clémence makes it clear that they were firm friends of long standing, despite apparent differences in age and social status.

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Important facts

Born
1530, Lyon
Birth century
Died
1557, Lyon
Nationality
Also known as
Clementia de Bourges

People in Clémence de Bourges's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Clémence de Bourges's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Clémence de Bourges?

French poet, woman of letters

When was Clémence de Bourges born?

Clémence de Bourges was born in 1530 in Lyon.

When did Clémence de Bourges die?

Clémence de Bourges died in 1557 in Lyon.

What was Clémence de Bourges's occupation?

Clémence de Bourges was a poet, woman of letters and writer.

What nationality was Clémence de Bourges?

Clémence de Bourges was French.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Clémence de Bourges

· Wikidata: Q16540580

· DBpedia: Clémence de Bourges

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Clémence de Bourges. https://biography.guide/clemence-de-bourges/

MLA: "Clémence de Bourges." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/clemence-de-bourges/.

Chicago: "Clémence de Bourges." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/clemence-de-bourges/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-24 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

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