She came to court during the reign of Francis I (1515–47) and Prince Henry, 20 years her junior, fell passionately in love with her. On his accession she became queen in all but name displacing Henry’s wife, Catherine de Medici. A beautiful and cultured woman, she was friend and patron of poets and artists. She played little part in politics, contenting herself with augmenting her income and providing for her family. On Henry’s death (1559) Catherine forced her to surrender the crown jewels and banished her to Chaumont.