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The king and i' : Rhetorics of power in the letters of diane de poitiers
Broomhall, Susan
Broomhall, Susan
Author
Abstract
This essay explores the gendered performance of power in the letters of Diane de Poitiers (1499–1566), particularly during the period when, as mistress of Henri II (1519–59), she wielded considerable political influence at court. It argues that her power was established and enacted through performances of authoritative behaviors and rhetoric that were inflected by contemporary understandings about gender and explores a number of distinct strategies embedded in Diane’s correspondence. These techniques reflected the corporeal and sexual nature of her access to consideration as a political interlocutor but also aimed to position her status as a figure of social and economic influence beyond this original means to power.
Keywords
Diane de Poiters, letters, royal mistress, emotions, networks, financial transactions
Date
2018
Type
Book chapter
Journal
Book
Women and power at the French court, 1483-1563
Volume
Issue
Page Range
335-355
Article Number
ACU Department
Institute for Religion and Critical Inquiry
Faculty of Theology and Philosophy
Faculty of Theology and Philosophy
Collections
Relation URI
Source URL
Event URL
Open Access Status
Published as ‘gold’ (paid) open access
License
CC BY-NC-ND
File Access
Open