Martinozzi, Laura (fl. 1658)

views updated

Martinozzi, Laura (fl. 1658)

Duchess of Modena . Name variations: Laura d'Este. Flourished around 1658; daughter of Hieronymus Martinozzi also seen as Girolamo Martinozzi and Laura Margaret Mazarini (who was the sister of Cardinal Jules Mazarin, chief minister to the young Louis XIV); sister of Anne-Marie Martinozzi (1637–1672); cousin of Laure Mancini (1635–1657), Olympia Mancini (c. 1639–1708), Marie Mancini (1640–1715), Hortense Mancini (1646–1699), and Marie-Anne Mancini (1649–1714); married Alphonse d'Este (heir of the duke of Modena), in 1656; children: Mary of Modena (1658–1718), queen of England; Francis II, duke of Modena.

Laura Martinozzi was regent of Modena for 12 years following the death of her husband Alphonse d'Este. Her daughter Mary of Modena married James II, king of England.

More From encyclopedia.com