Flemming, Mary (fl. 1540s)

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Flemming, Mary (fl. 1540s)

Scottish paramour. Name variations: Lady Flemming, Madame de Flemming. Had liaison with Henry II, king of France; children: a boy, known as the Bastard of Angoulême.

Was an attendant for the child Mary Stuart, future queen of Scots; possibly encouraged to seduce the king by political rivals of Diane de Poitiers in an effort to minimize de Poitier's influence; made the mistake of bragging about her coup, causing her removal from court.

See also Women in World History.