Marie Antoinette's

Armand Louis de Gontaut was born April 13, 1747 in Paris. He was born into the title of duc de Lauzun. Later he inherited the title of duc de Biron. He was 'noticed' after writing a intelligent essay on Great Britain's military defenses and after several successful military efforts he became maréchal de camp. But before he was a successful military leader in Connecticut, aiding George Washington, he did a lot of travel and spent a lot of money. Ah the life of the well-to-do!

He found himself betrothed to Amélie de Boufflers when he was just 16. The pairing was an ideal match for the family, as she was incredibly wealthy, and of old noble blood. Being told who he was to marry didn't sit well with the stubborn teen, who had 'promised' himself he would not marry against his will. Did teens always cause drama?

Truth was, he was already popular among the ladies at 16! He had both charisma and good looks, and no boy would want to settle down when he had the world in his hands...

He agreed to go see his bride-to-be while incognito at a ball put on by Madame de Mirepoix. The ball was to begin at 5 and end at 10. The hours were early because all the guest were youths or newly weds, and could not stay out late. Society rules you know! So the duc arrived promptly at five and to his delight he was just fascinated by the beauty of the girl whom he just met. She was charming with a nice figure, and pleasant.

The dismay he felt can probably only really be known to a teenage boy when he found out the lady he had thought was Madamoiselle de Boufflers was not her at all! Instead he was introduced to his future wife, and only saw before him, an undeveloped, polite child, the 13 year old Amélie. Although she was sweet and innocent, he saw her as just what she was, a child. In comparison to the voluptuous tart he had been chatting with, his opinion had been formed and he did not care for Amelie at all.

Of course she grew up and developed, her looks were remarkable! Her elegance only grew with her. The duc spent the 2 years of the engagement playing the fields, keeping lady after lady - only the pretty ones, and was no stranger to dirty reading. It did not take long after the marriage that he tired of his pure and poised wife, and continued to have mistresses.

He was away at war for several periods during the marriage, and placed a lot of importance on his public image. Unfortunately his efforts seemed in vain when, the Reign of Terror began, and he was arrested for lack of civic virtue. He was guillotined when he was 46, December 31, 1793.

"...the most perfect woman ever known."

Amélie de Boufflers, later the Duchesse de Lauzun and then Duchesse de Biron (in stripes) was born May 5, 1751. She was raised by her grandmother after her father passed away. She was the notorious Madeleine-Angélique, Maréchale Duchesse de Luxembourg.

Grandma was once one of the delicate beauties of the court of Louis XV, highly respected, with many friends and likewise many enemies. She was a model of good breeding, high birth and believed in etiquette. Amélie was noted as a "masterpiece," the result of her education. Perhaps no one of her generation had such a wise professor in the Charm Department!

She was a noted accomplished woman, who used wit wisely. "Young, wealthy, and high born, exquisitely beautiful, pious and pure as an angel." A fearsome thing to behold indeed! What did this get her? A slew of suitors, but not just "notch on the bedpost flings," rather, romantic intrigues, men who felt genuine passion for her! Men and women alike could not resist her charismatic personality.

What fortune for her, that when she was just 13 she was betrothed to Armand Gontaut-Biron, duc de Lauzun. He was smart, ambitious and very good looking. Well- at the time he was 16, but even at 16 his looks were getting him all the attention a boy could want! What more could a bride-to-be want!

Sadly, only one man resisted her virtues, her husband! The reason for this terrible truth was because, as boys can be very stubborn, he never forgot his first impression of her. It was a circumstance that was not in her favor yet out of her control!

They were married and she lived a separate life from him. At one point she decided to be receive an inoculation against small pox. This was still a dangerous procedure, and her husband immediately came to be with her through it. It was a great success, and when it was over he left again. She went out in the fashion of the time proudly wearing her hat á l'inoculation.

Fashion ended up being a favorite past time of this princess of grace, and after Louis XV passed she wore a fabulous mourning hat with black flowers knotted together with black crepe, balanced with fruits. One particular pouf she donned was a landscape scene, with a lake, and a hunter after ducks, up top was a naughty ábbe flirting with a millers wife, and by her ear was the poor miller working!

She eventually decided to move in with her grandmother as her husband and her never spoke except for matters of business. He refused to let her leave because he feared it would tarnish his public image. She ended up getting her way however, and promptly moved back in with the maréchale de Luxembourg, who was more than happy.

In 1790 she went to see a play in Paris. A song for Marie Antoinette was encored and she applauded by hitting her fan on her box. She was then pelted with apples, among the storm someone threw a pen knife which nearly hit her!

She fled to England when things got heated in Paris for about a year. She still had some business to take care of in Paris and decided to make a short unannounced trip to Paris. Traveling back to the city was a terrible mistake and she was arrested right away. Her husband pulled some strings to get her out, but it was only temporary and they were both soon in prison. She was guillotined June 27th 1794.