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A Queen’s Secret, Illegitimate and Biracial Daughter?
In the Benedictine abbey of Moret-sur-Loing, a curious woman by 16th century French standards made her home. Her name was Louise Marie-Thérèse, and she was called the Mooress of Moret.
Nothing is known for certain about Louise’s origins or how she became a Benedictine nun. Her mysterious origins and rare appearance led to numerous rumors about her providence. Despite being a simple nun, of no known status, she was much commented on by prominent people of her time. She is mentioned in both the memoirs of Madame de Maintenon and Madame de Montespan, both grand mistresses of the King. She is also commented upon in the writings of the King’s cousin, the Duchess of Montpensier, the Duke of Saint-Simon and Voltaire.
The most widely whispered story regarding Louise is her possible royal lineage. It was whispered that King Louis’ wife, Maria Teresa of Spain, was Louise’s mother. The story goes that the Queen secretly gave birth to Louise in 1664 and gave the child to the King’s valet to take away to the nunnery. Even more salaciously, it was claimed that the father of this child was the Queen’s dwarf, an African named Nabo, who was a gift from the King of Narda.
