Catherine I of Lyncanestria

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Catherine I
Catherine I of Lyncanestria.png
Empress of Lyncanestria
Reign17 July 1928  – 7 October 1942
Investiture28 July 1908
PredecessorLouis I
SuccessorRobert I
Prime MinistersSamuel Toussaint
Édouard Briand
Queen of Barrois
Reign24 November 1907 – 7 October 1942
PredecessorPhilippe VI
SuccessorRobert II
Chancellors
See list
  • Robin Beaugendre
  • Thibaud Girard
  • Luc Lièvremont
  • Jean-Alain Dupont
  • Théo Escoffier
Born(1855-04-03)3 April 1855
Château d'Étampes
Elyon, Barrois
Died7 October 1942(1942-10-07) (aged 87)
Beaulieu Palace
Villeneuve, Lyncanestria
Burial17 October 1928
SpousePrince Victor of Ghant, Duke of Lugarne
Issue
Details
Robert I
Princess Hélène
Princess Victoire
Prince Henri, Duke of Épernon
Princess Alys
Princess Marie
Prince Jean Victor, Count of Orlaise
Full name
Catherine Élisabeth
HouseVilleneuve
FatherPrince Robert of Lyncanestria
MotherPLACEHOLDER
ReligionChurch of Lyncanestria

Catherine I of Lyncanestria (born Catherine Élisabeth; 3 April 1855 – 7 October 1942) was a Queen regnant of Barrois and elective Empress of Lyncanestria. She was the last monarch of the House of Villeneuve to reign; her children are considered to be of the cadet branch of Villeneuve-Lugarne.

Her reign in Barrois began in 1907, following the death of her own father and two childless uncles. She lost the election for empress in 1907 to Louis VII of Antenfoi. With his death in 1928, she was later elected empress by the Federal Council and remains the only empress regnant of Lyncanestria. Her reign was marked by the long premiership of Claude-Samuel Toussaint, a prime minister with whom she associated and aided politically, to the chagrin of the opposition.

Early life

Birth

Childhood

Catherine's upbringing was not one traditionally given to future monarchs. She was instructed loosely in letters and numbers, yet her despite her show of skill and wit her governesses and tutors were not demanding of her as it was presumed these subjects were better left to men and possible heirs. As her father was Philippe I's third son, it was not anticipated that Catherine would ever assume the throne. Catherine was therefore allowed much more freedom in her upbringing, and she dedicated much of her time taking up artistic hobbies such as painting and sculpting. She was mentored in these subjects by the foremost artists of the time.

Succession in Barrois

In 1899 her only cousin, Philippe, Prince Royal of Barrois, committed suicide, propping Catherine up in the line of succession. Coupled with the fact that her uncle, the Count of Saint-Aumer continuously refusing to take a wife, Catherine was finally seen as prospective queen regnant.

Reign

Queen of Barrois

Election of 1928

Empress

Later life and death

Marriage and issue

Ancestry

Template:Lyncanestrian monarchs