Fulvie de Randan
Fulvie de Randan (1533–1607), née Pic de Mirandole, was a French court official who served as Première dame d'honneur to Queen Louise of Lorraine from 1583 to 1601.
She came from a noble family: her father was Galeotto II Pico della Mirandola and her mother was Hippolita di Gonzaga-Sabionetta. In 1555 she married Charles de La Rochefoucauld, Comte de Randan (who later died in 1562 at the siege of Rouen). They had five children, including a son named François. Her sister Sylvie married her brother-in-law François III de La Rochefoucauld in a double marriage arrangement.
Earlier in her life, Fulvie served as a fille d'honneur (maid of honour) to Catherine de' Medici.
In 1583 she was appointed Première dame d'honneur to the new queen, Louise of Lorraine. The queen asked for her because of her piety, but the king thought she was too austere for the royal court. He allowed the queen's wish and initially divided the office, having Louise de Cipierre share the role with Fulvie. After Cipierre died two years later, Fulvie held the position alone again. As Première dame d'honneur, she oversaw the female courtiers, managed the budget, purchases, annual accounts, staff lists, daily routines, and introductions to the queen.
Fulvie was described as a beauty and a committed Catholic who planned to live in mourning after widowhood. She supported the Catholic League during the French Wars of Religion and was active in political and religious affairs. In 1570 she even backed a marriage between Margaret of Valois and Henry I, Duke of Guise. She was outspoken in support of the Catholic League and showed her stance during the Catholic uprising in 1585 and again during the conflict between the king and the Ligue in 1588. The writer Brantôme described her as a notable figure at court.
This page was last edited on 2 February 2026, at 22:14 (CET).