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in another universe, we live next door and visit each other every day

Jacob Ferdinand Voet - different portaits of the Mazarinettes, the collective name which indicated the seven nieces of Cardinal Jules Mazarin (Giulio Mazzarino), chief minister to the Kings Louis XIII and Louis XIV of France.

Their names were: Laura and Anna Maria, daughter of Laura Margherita Mazzarino; Laura, Olimpia, Maria, Ortensia and Maria Anna, daughter of Girolama Mazzarino.

Mazarin wished to establish a dynasty in France and secure his legacy through advantageous marriages, but could have no children of his own as a member of the Catholic clergy. He also wanted to surround himself with his family, in whom he could confide, as he had many enemies at court.

The French royal family supervised the education of the girls. The Queen Regent, Anne of Austria, allowed for the younger children to be educated with the future king Louis XIV and his younger brother, Monsieur Philippe, Duke of Anjou.

Cardinal Mazarin arranged advantageous marriages for his nieces with powerful French and Italian aristocrats, and gave large dowries to their husbands in order to overcome their reluctance to marry women of lower origins. Many of them, in any case, will live more adventurous lives, becoming estimated women of letters or abandoning violent husbands and becoming lovers of kings and other rulers.

the-outrageous

One of my favourite historical figures is Giulia Tofana, an Italian cosmetologist that was famous for producing a poisonous cosmetic known as "Aqua di Tofana" to help woman getting rid of their abusive husbands.

She helped over 600 woman.

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