Dowager Princesse d'Angoumois Versailles, December 6, 1773

Dearest Madame,

I could not wait to write you Mama after a day of ever so eventful happenings. There is so much to share I feel as though I'm bursting with news! First I must convey the most positive of the happenings, at the salon of the Comte d'Artois, which I may say was frightfully empty of courtiers, the most stern Madame Royale spoke so very highly of me. At first I thought that she may be false in her praise, as you well know she is known to bring ladies up to shoot them down once more. But Mama she was complete in her praise, calling me pious and even speaking so very highly of your future daughter in law the Mlle de Bidache. I could have burst with pride this day, for praise from Madame Royale is as sparse as flowers in winter. Alas, not having Henri attend court is yet unsettling, especially with his wedding drawing so near, I am often questioned as to where he has gotten himself off to. Were you to do your daughter a favor for thisChristmasseason, it would be to convince your dearest son, my brother, to not shirk his duties in makingappearanceat events.

Now for the questionable and rather disparaging events of the days, and may I first preface this selection with a warning that it is pure scandal in each word and enough to turn thestomachin it's wickedness. I came upon my dear cousin in the market and had the most delightful of conversations only to be broken apart by the oddest of invitations. As you know theMonsieurTartuffe has been, oddly enough, welcomed at court and has taken up an apartment. As you might have heard there is all manner of scandal surrounding the man but upon encouragement that there might be music at such a salon I dared attend. Oh Mama this is where it gets most delicate, first the arrangement was quite... odd. Idisdainto call him so, but my 'Uncle' the Comte de Chiverny was in presence, odd in itself as he is quite open of his dislike of all the non nobles at court. Then when the discussions, or lashings of viper tongues, had begun Madame du Barry herself madeappearance! Now mother I know my cousin the Duchesse approves of her but Lord in heaven I can not bring myself to do more than smile and nod at the preening crow! You may think me horribly un-christian for this but Mama she is most horrible and without any piety. I don't think the lady capable of passing a reflection without stopping to admire and praise herself, and I can say short of the Royal wedding I've never seen her at mass.

See now I've diverged from my most scandalous story with the great du barry as if you weren't keenly aware of her. Do forgive me, Mama, my mind is quite easily diverged of late. Now then to the heart of the event... There was of course the usual back and forth between the Tartuffe man and the Comte de Chiverny, well less back and forth and more the Comte disparaging the man's very breath. Then the Comte turns his viper tongue on the young Mlle de Liseaux. Now Mama I know what you'll say, butdespiteher birth she really is the most bright young girl. I can not possibly believe all the wicked things said about everyone at court, for to do so is to believe court is not in fact filled with nobles and courtiers but whore's andcharlatans But to speak of such vile rumors with the young mlle sitting right there, it was so very wicked. Mama you'll council me to have kept my temper but I'm afraid I could not sit idle while he spoke of such things. Not only because of the shame and harm it would cause a young woman, but that I was shamed and harmed just by hearing such vile things. I know, I was terribly wrong to speak so to the Comte, and I assure you I've seen diligently to my prayers and begged God for forgiveness for speaking so to the Comte. Mama, I willendeavorto show him the regard due his station, but I can not abide the man for much time if he is to continue his behavior. If he were a man of Royal birth it would be understood, they are above us and are to push us to better ourselves, but he himself is most often a font of gossip for his wicked deeds and prevails upon those at court to witness how grand he think himself. My dearest Mama I fear his association, even by marriage to our house is distressing. Please do think on this and engage me in conference as to how best I manage any ills that might show upon our house.

With that scandal at end, as I left in haste to spare myself hearing anything more, I retreated from Versailles to the duchy for a meeting with my favorite seamstress. Mother I must admit I have done something wicked... horribly wicked. While in the duchy I made theacquaintanceof the most wonderful young gentleman. Let me preface this next statement with the warning that I was at all times wellchaperonedand did not do anything unseemly... But I attended his parlor for some discussion for some hour or so. It has reminded me of two things; One that I am dreadfully wicked and must always strive to better myself and devote myself to God and my duties, lest I be taken off with my fancies. Two that I was born into position and duty and it is very doubtful I will ever find love in marriage as You and Papa, or Henri have. Oh mama he was so wonderfully delightful, and I was so free to speak without worry that he would sneak my words to the gossips for a smile and position. Part of me thinks I could be most happy with a husband such as that, who travels and adventures... Don't fret mother You know better than to think I would let myself have such adalliance. I must always tryto remind myself that my duty is not found in romance and the things of writers... though I wish it could be at times. Why must I be such a silly wicked girl? Should I attend to church and pray to be forgiven and broken from these desires? I pray to God to be forgiven for my wickedness in even thinking for a moment I wanted to walk from my duty to sail off with some rogue.

I thank you dearest mother for your last letter, it brought me such comfort and I have as always taken your words to heart. I will continue without hesitation to better myself and keep far from the scandals that taint others at court... though I know not how to avoid them all. True friends are lacking at court but I hold in my heart that I will find others interested in true betterment of self and service to the crown, court and God. I pray this letter finds you in good spirits and packing for the return to Versailles for the Wedding. I am most eager to hear from you that you will be present as I long for even an afternoon of your company.

With all my love and ever your faithful daughter,

Marie-Jocelyn de Saint Cyr

Dowager Princesse d'Angoumois Versailles, December 1, 1773

Dearest Madame,

This past week has been dreadfully soured as I fell ill shortly after I wrote you last. At first I was terrified that I had contracted pox when attending to Madame Royale, but God has seen fit to protect me from such and it was simply a fever and chills that kept me a bed for the past week. Honestly I feel blessed, with the hateful gossip spreading through court of late, it seems almost impossible for a good God fearingmademoiselleto keep her virtue in tact! Have you heard the whispers even so removed as you are inAngouleme? All theservantsare a flutter with new gossip each day, each one more convoluted than the last! Honestly I don't think one could spin a truth from the lot if pressed on pain of death. It would seem as though the courtierstrulylack for something of substance to occupy their minds as we enter the winter months.

I both dread and am overly excited for the following month of activities. With such joy as to witness my dearest brother marry one I would hope to call dearest sister soon, it is hard to think that I also dread the occasion. Oh do not mistake my words dear mother, I truly hold nothing but joy in my heart for the union, but I am troubled that such events will throw our house into focus. With how everyone gossips so, what will theyconjureup next? That I am secretly a dancer inParis? Honestly mother they have the tongues of vipers! Your council on this would be most graciously accepted as I've no idea how to avoid these scandals apart from staying from court alltogether You know the true heart of your daughter dear mother, I would not for an instant do anything that could come back upon my dear Brother's name, but that does not seem to matter when the geese start tosquawk. For now I will remain proper, reserved, and quiet, in the hopes that I will not draw any unwanted attention.

Jeanne has now poked her head into my chambers three times in the space of mycorrespondencewith you, I've a notion she wishes to subject me to more of that foul drink she passes off as medicine. So it is with a deeply sad heart that I will have to end this letter. And so I will do so with the deepest devotions of love, respect and a fond desire tohopefullysee you soon.

Ever your faithful daughter,

Marie-Jocelyn de Saint Cyr

Dowager Princesse d'Angoumois Versailles, November 10th 1773

Dearest Madame,

Oh Mama! The wedding, the splendor! Oh you would have loved to see everyone done up in their finest again. I managed to get the most wonderful habit made just in time for the Royal wedding, you would love the look of it, finest silks and laces and in a brilliant tangerine color. I would not say so aloud to anyone else Mama, but you of all people would understand this sentiment, I looked positively good enough to eat! Oh my dearest mother you should have seen the chapel, all done up in finespectacle As you can Imagine everyone who's anyone was in attendance, Even du Barry went to great lengths to impress, though I'd imagine because she hoped to give the King some ideas of making her a marriage bed.

Today means to be a terribly full one, with the formalIntroductions to Madame la Comtesse d'Artois and following that the ball! I may or may not have feet left to stand upon by the end of this. And Mama! I'm sure Henri has already written with the news, but the date for hisnuptialshas been announced! It shall be a grand event I'm sure, I do so hope you'll manage to make it to Court for at least this, your son's wedding? I'm sending my deepest love, devotion, and prayers for you mother, I miss you terribly. I promise a longer letter when time allows, for now my maid isholleringabout wigs and I must run or I'll miss the Introductions!

Ever your faithful daughter,

Marie-Jocelyn de Saint Cyr

The Noblesse d'pe grand House de Saint-Cyr has stood as one of the premiere families in France through their dedicated military history and devotion to King and crown. Tracing their history back to the beginning is a task indeed, but the family proudly holds claim to it's beginnings as an off shoot from the House of vreux, through the notable William Taillefer I known as William d'Angoulme. It is said among the Saint-Cyr that through the marriage of the d'Angouleme and the Evreaux the Saint-Cyr's were born. Historically holding land and titles in the Saintonge region of France the duchys and lands famous for their production of grapes used to make cognac and Pineau de Charentes. The Family is known most famously for raising the Saintonge Regiment (also known as the 85e Regiment of the Line) that furthers the crowns motives in the West Indies and French Guiana. It is under their motto:"Ils s'instruisent pour vaincre" that many of the most notable Saint-Cyr men have both served and held rank within this regiment. The duchy of Montausier is by far the most ancient and traditional lands held by the family and today the Ducal seat of the Saint-Cyr house. In 1696, the Duc de Montausier Henri-Charles de Saint-Cyr died suddenly, leaving the duchy in the hands of his brother Leonard Charles de Saint-Cyr, Marquis de Montausier, his daughter however had been married to the then Prince; Fonteneau Alfonse dAngouleme. The title of Prince d'Angoumois was titres de courtoisie for her cousin Nicolas-Philippe de Saint-Cyr following her death of dropsy not long after tragedy took her husband and newborn. Angouleme is now primarily split between the house of Bourbon and Saint-Cyrs. Though looked upon as simply titled and not ranked, within the Saint-Cyr's they treat the title as Prince tranger for their long standing ties to many of the royal houses by marriage and those they claim from history.

Stoic and unflappable are common traits of those within the Saint-Cyr family, braving all manner of military and social battles with a calm and focused demeanor. Devout Catholics, the Saint Cyr family has become quite the patrons of the church, often spending lavishly to restore and revive forgotten religious buildings, relics and furthering the work of the Holy Mother church within France and abroad. One of the most favoured of the familys holdings is the abbey of Saint-Etienne Baignes which was built in the time of Charlemagne and restored to its glory by the family.

No family is without dark times however, and as it would happen it wasn't so far back in history to be forgotten easily. Early in 1660 when Maria Theresa was just assuming her place at court as the Queen consort of France and Navarre, a simple rumor started that none other than the sister of the Duc the Mlle de Montausier; Jeanne-Marie de Saint Cyr was the first of the King's many Mistresses. Truth or not, the very fact that the majority of court believed the mlle to be the first of the madame's before Louise de La Vallire ruined the family in court. With the Queen turning her favor from the family drastic measures were taken in the summer of 1662. The Mlle in question was sent away to the nuns at Saint-Etienne to serve God as penance for the ruin upon the family. It was later said that the rumor was started by a rival at court who was envious. It was later found that her brother had been in negotiations to marry her to a well respected man of the Bourbon house, an alliance that would have tied the Saint-Cyrs to the Royal house. This second blow to the family was deeply felt and took a generation to recover from. To this day, Mlle's of the house of Saint-Cyr are strictly chaperoned and watched over at court to prevent future issue. The late Jeanne-Marie de Saint-Cyr was not removed from the family records, but is also not spoken of unless it is in warning to misspent youth. As it would have it the family would have to rethink the choices of chaparones when in early 1682 the young Mlle de Barfleur was found to be with child, and not any child the bourgeois child of her chaparone's son! Again plunged into social scandal the family was saved when the young mlle passed away in childbirth, what became of the child however is not noted nor spoken of. Rumors persist to this day that the child was given to the father's family and raised a Le Moine with a very large stipend of sous to keep him in comfort for his lifetime and that of his children.

Recovery from such scandal could to some seem impossible, but it was through the union of Jeanne-Elisabeth de la Chapelle to the Marquis de Montausier in 1719 that shot the family back into the forefront of nobility. While some would say her beginnings were just shy of bourgeois the youngest daughter of the Baron de Longueuil and sister to the wife of then aged governor of Acadia and New France Simon-Pierre Denys de Bonaventure. Her dowry alone was rumored to rival that of some royal matches in Europe, many saying the Baron afforded the Saint-Cyr's lands and estates in New France along with ships of wealth. The union was beyond simply profitable for the Saint-Cyr's, affording them wealth, and eventually the next generations of Nobility as she gave her husband five healthy children including a Prince, a Duc, Duchesse, and two Comtesse's. Initially not accepted in court because of her questionable status with the elite of french nobility, she was appointed to the Queen's household and there began a rich and successful career as a courtier. Her natural grace, and seemingly unending wealth allowed her to bring the family up even higher in the eyes france. A devoted friend and alley of the Queen Marie Leczinska, she served her Mistress loyally until her death in 1768. Between the death of her Queen and her son that same year, the Dowager Marquise retreated from court. The infamous Dowager Marquise de Montausier, to this day resides at the family estates, and while she's taken her leave of courtly life in her twilight years, commands the respect and love of her grandchildren now making debut in Versailles.

Recent devastation to the house of Saint-Cyr was the tragic loss of Nicolas-Philippe de Saint-Cyr, Prince d'Angoumois, in the fall of 1769. A man in his prime, a devoted subject of his Majesty and Master in the Regimental Forces, the Prince was out on sojourn at one of his estates and took fall while hunting. Normally not a cause to fear meeting one's Maker, it happened that in that tragic fall he broke his femur, and the resulting infection took his life in a matter of weeks. A grueling, painful, and sad death for such a stoic and noble man, one that touched everyone in the family greatly, especially so soon after his brother's death the year before. The end of the Marquis de Saint-Cyr however was nothing so dramatic however, he simply succumbed to a weak heart while recovering from a bout of scurvy. An illness he contracted on his return from visiting the regiments in the West Indies.

A wave of prosperity seems to be rolling through the house de Saint-Cyr of late, with the now Prince d'Angoumois announcing his intentions to marry the court favorite Mlle de Bidache from the Gramont family. This firmly ties the family to their allies in the Duc and Duchesse de Fraisac who have been instrumental in setting the match. To that appointments of all the major members at court in the various houses of the Royal house from the Dauphin (( ADD Dauphine if that goes through)) to the Comtesse de Provence.

Dowager Princesse d'Angoumois Versailles, November 10th 1773

Dearest Madame,

I would like to first thank you dearest mother for you kind letter Ireceivedlast week, as always yourcorrespondencebrought joy and happiness to my day. I pray this letter in turn finds you in good spirits and health and sure in the knowledge that as ever you are first in the minds of your children away at court. I was so glad to hear from Henri that his visit with you went swimmingly and I must admit I blushed for your kind words passed along.

I cannot describe to you, my dear mamma, the trouble that winds through his majesty's court of late. I am positively sick with worry for the fate of my dearest brother's marriage. It would seem all you warned me of with regards to choosing my allies well was well founded advice. Oh how I wish you were here, your years of experience within her late Majesties household would be a boon to me now more than ever. The Duc and Duchesse have been expelled from their household positions, and worse still court itself! Of course none of us can be too surprised that punishment comes down from his Majesty, a fool thing like a duel, but how unfortunate to all close to the Tancarville family! Mamma you must write me and give your comfort and direction on this matter, I fear I'm lost as to how to best proceed. They are yet the Duc and Duchesse and so as they retain title I'm quite sure they will again find favor at court. But shall I as others give in to snubbing them and their house? Or is it better to be forgiving or even yet more silent on the matter? How I wish I had someone to speak to of these matters at length. I find myself ever sodisappointedby Gabrielle, she has once more retreated to the chapel at d'Ivoire, refusing to attend court with me. Henri, bless him, does his best to escort me, and when he can not insures as per your request I amadequatelychaperoned. (Not that I would ever find myself compromised of course.)

I do have some good news in the wake of all this mess, I have had heard whispers there may be a wonderful announcement made this week! Between this and the coming Royal Wedding I nearly float upon the joy that fills my life. I have made sure to attend my prayers as you wished, twice a week to the chapel in the least, and I pray constantly for the good favor of our family and your health. I ask you to continue to light candles for Madame Royale, whom as you know is still unwell, I shall keep youapprisedof her condition as I know it worries you to hear of her in such a condition. At last we were told, it was confirmed that she has taken ill with the pox, and having seen it myself I do not doubt it. I pray God will keep her through this and she will recover in short order.

May the arrival of this short letter bring you happiness, My wishes of health, blessings and prayers for you my dearest mother,

Ever your faithful daughter,

Marie-Jocelyn de Saint Cyr

(( I decided to start writing again about my experiences at court, this time to my mother, hope you enjoy!! This is for the purposes ofcharacterdevelopment only and not to be referenced in RP unless you catch me by chance writing :P ))