Should Anne of Brittany Have Her Own HBO Drama?

Getty medievalist Larisa Grollemond makes a case for a fascinating biopic

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Art & Architecture

Woman wearing red dress and crown sitting on a throne surrounded by ladies in waiting — Anne of Brittany Enthroned and Accompanied by Her Ladies-in-Waiting, about 1493, Master of the *Chronique scandaleuse*. Tempera colors, gold, and ink on parchment, 10 7/16 x 7 ½ in. Getty Museum, Ms. 121 (2021.7), fol. 55

Jun 21, 2023

Loveless marriage, death, betrayal, courtly intrigue, personal tragedy—it sounds like the plotline of an HBO drama, but it was the real life of Anne of Brittany.

In the 1490s, Anne was the owner of this manuscript in Getty’s collection, which contains the amazing portrait of her featured above. The book was given to her by King Charles VIII of France—he’s the gentleman in black in the bottom-right corner—when she was just 14 years old.

Soldier embraces woman wearing a flowing red dress while other women look on; a ship waits in the harbor out the window; below are smaller images of various men and women gathering and talking — *Hypsipyle Bids Farewell to Jason*, about 1493, Master of the Chronique scandaleuse. Tempera colors, gold, and ink on parchment, 10 7/16 x 7 ½ in. Getty Museum, Ms. 121 (2021.7), fol. 40

What’s in the book? Stories of women from antiquity who were left behind by their husbands and lovers. It’s hard to picture it as a particularly inspiring wedding gift, but it was oddly prescient.

Anne of Brittany kneels in front of an open book in a field with a castle in the background. Three women with halos stand behind her — Horae ad usum Romanum, dites Grandes Heures d'Anne de Bretagne, 1503-1508, Jean Bourdichon. Parchment, 12 x 7 in. Bibliotheque Nationale de France

Just a few years after King Charles VIII gave Anne this gift, he hit his head on a door lintel and died. This left Anne of Brittany a widow at 21, and obligated to marry his successor: Louis XII.

A man in a golden tunic kneels on a blue cushion decorated with fluers de lis. Behind him stand four figures labeled from left to right: S. Michel, S. Chrles M Agigne, S. Loys, S. Demi — Leaf from the Hours of Louis XII, 1498/1499, Jean Bourdichon, Tempera and gold, 9 9/16 × 6 3/16 in. Getty Museum, Ms. 79a (2004.1)

Unfortunately for his first wife, Louis XII was already married. He quickly had that marriage annulled by claiming that their union had never been consummated because his “performance” was thwarted...by witchcraft.

Louis XII and Anne of Brittany were then married. They didn’t quite live happily ever after. Anne bore him 11 children before she died at the age of 37. Only two of those children survived past early childhood. However, Anne of Brittany does have the distinction of being the only woman to be crowned Queen of France twice.

So, what do you think? HBO producers, if you agree, feel free to reach out!

In the meantime, want more stories from the Middle Ages from Getty medievalist Larisa Grollemond? Head to our Instagram page.