Fulvie de Randan

Fulvie de Randan, née Pic de Mirandole (1533–1607) was a French court official. She served as Première dame d'honneur to the queen of France, Louise of Lorraine, from 1583 until 1601. Life Fulvie de Randan was the daughter of Galeotto II Pico della Mirandola (d.1551) and Hippolita di Gonzaga-Sabionetta. She married Charles de La Rochefoucauld, Comte de Randan (1520–1583) in 1555. Her husband was killed at Rouen in 1562. The couple had five children, among them François. Her sister Sylvie married her husband's brother François III de La Rochefoucauld, prince of Marcillac, count of Roucy and baron of Verteuil, in a double marriage of siblings. She was a fille d'honneur, maid of honour, to Catherine de' Medici. In 1583, she was appointed to the office of Première dame d'honneur to the new queen of France, Louise of Lorraine. She was given the position at the request of the queen, who was attracted to her piety, but the king found her to be too austere for the royal court, and although he granted the queen's wish, she split the office in two and appointed the more fashionable Louise de Cipierre to share the office with her: when de Cipierre died just two years later, however, de Randan did not have to share the office anymore. As Première dame d'honneur, she was responsible for the female courtiers, controlling the budget, purchases, annual account and staff list, daily routine and presentations to the queen.