Brunissende of Foix (died September 1324) was Countess of Périgord by marriage to Count Elias VII. According to several sources, Brunissende had influence in the politics of the newly formed Avignon Papacy due to her close relationship with Pope Clement V. This arrangement supposedly enabled Brunissende to ensure a clerical career for her son, Hélie, who would go on to have an influential career as a cardinal. Biography Brunissende was the daughter of Roger-Bernard III, Count of Foix by his wife Margaret, Viscountess of Béarn. Marriage Brunissende married Elias in 1298. For the groom, this was his second marriage due to the death of his first wife, Philippa, in 1286. Brunissende's family provided her with a dowry of 6,000 livres. She and Elias had several children, Hélie, Archambaud, and Roger-Bernard. Amongst her daughters were Rosemburge and Agnes. Brunissende was rumoured to be the mistress of Clement V, yet Giovanni Villani confessed that stories he had heard of the relationship between her and the Pope were only hearsay. Zacour was certain that Brunissende had met the Pope when he had visited Périgueux and the Périgords were close allies of the French king, to whom the Pope was indebted to.

From Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Brunissende of Foix (died September 1324) was Countess of Périgord by marriage to Count Elias VII. According to several sources, Brunissende had influence in the politics of the newly formed Avignon Papacy due to her close relationship with Pope Clement V. This arrangement supposedly enabled Brunissende to ensure a clerical career for her son, Hélie, who would go on to have an influential career as a cardinal.