Catherine I of Lyncanestria

Catherine I
Empress of Lyncanestria
Reign	17 July 1928  – 7 October 1942
Investiture	28 July 1908
Predecessor	Louis I
Successor	Robert I
Prime Ministers	Samuel Toussaint Édouard Briand
Queen of Barrois
Reign	24 November 1907 – 7 October 1942
Predecessor	Philippe VI
Successor	Robert 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
Died	7 October 1942(1942-10-07) (aged 87) Beaulieu Palace Villeneuve, Lyncanestria
Burial	17 October 1928 Panthéon Impérial
Spouse	Prince 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
House	Villeneuve
Father	Prince Robert of Lyncanestria
Mother	PLACEHOLDER
Religion	Church 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

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.

Ancestry

Family of Catherine I of Lyncanestria
16. William III of Barrois 8. Charles I of Barrois 17. Marie Adèle of Lugarne 4. Philippe I of Lyncanestria 18. Nicholas V of Ghant 9. Antonia of Ghant 19. Licinia of Ravenna 2. Prince Robert of Lyncanestria 20. Robert IV of Burgoy 10. John III of Burgoy 21. 5. Thérèse of Burgoy 22. 11. 23. 1. Catherine I of Lyncanestria 24. 12. 25. 6. 26. 13. 27. 3. PLACEHOLDER 28. 14. 29. 7. 30. 15. 31.