Page:A cyclopaedia of female biography.djvu/434

 and many of her reflections on this subject are wise and salutary. We differ from her views in some material points, but we believe her sincerely devoted to what she considers the way of improvement. Of her extraordinary talents there can be no doubt.

JANE OF FLANDERS, of Montfort, was one of the most extraordinary women of her age. Her husband, the Count de Montfort, having been, in 1342, made prisoner and conducted to Paris, she assembled the inhabitants of Rennes, her place of residence, and by her eloquence, aided by the pity inspired by her infant son, moved the people to take up arms in her behalf; and thus she soon found herself in a position to protect her rights. Having shut herself up in the fortress of Hennebonne, Charles de Blois, her husband's enemy, besieged her there; she made an obstinate defence, and exhibited many of the qualities of a commander. The repeated breaches made in the walls at length rendered it necessary for the besieged, who were diminished in numbers, and exhausted by fatigue, to treat for a capitulation. During a conference for that purpose, in which the Bishop of Leon was engaged with Charles de Blois, the Countess, who had mounted a high tower, which commanded a view of the sea, descried some sails at a distance, and immediately exclaimed "Behold the succours! the English succours! no capitulation!"

This fleet, prepared by Edward the Third for the relief or Hennebonne, having been detained by contrary winds, entered the harbour, under the command of Sir Walter Mauny. The garrison, by this reinforcement animated with fresh spirit, immediately sallied forth, beat the besiegers from their posts, and obliged them to retreat. The flames of war still continued their devastations, when Charles de Blois, having invested the fortress of Roche de Rien, the Countess of Montfort, reinforced by some English troops, attacked him, during the night, in his entrenchments, dispersed his army, and took him prisoner. His wife, in whose right he had pretended to Brittany, compelled by the captivity of her husband, assumed, in her turn, the government of the party; and opposed herself, a formidable and worthy rival, both in the cabinet and field, to the Countess of Montfort.

The mediation of France and England failed to put an end to the disputes in Brittany, till Charles de Blois was at length slain, at the battle of Auray. The young Count de Montfort soon after obtained possession of the duchy, and, though a zealous partizan of England, had his title acknowledged by the French king, to whom he did homage for his dominions.

JARDINS, MARIE CATHARINE DES. born about 1640, at Alenon, in Normandy, where her father was provost. She went when young to Paris, where she supported herself for some time by writing novels and dramas. She was three times married; first, to M. Villedieu, a young captain of the infantry, who was only separated, not divorced, from a former wife; after his death, to the Marquis de la Chasse, who was also only parted from his wife; and, for the third time, to one of her cousins, who allowed her to resume the name of Villedieu. She soon after