AGNES SOREL 



1777, in the reign of Louis the Sixteenth, the 

 priestly conscience again awoke to the enormity 

 of its presence within the choir, and, with the 

 king's consent, it was removed to the nave. ' 

 Before re-burial the coffin was opened in the 

 presence of various church dignitaries and State 

 officials. Among the latter was a doctor who 

 left an authoritative account of the proceedings, 

 from which we can approximately surmise the 

 height of La Dame de Beaute, and verify the 

 record of her abundant fair hair. The exterior 

 coffin of oak was only 5 feet 6 inches long. 

 Within this, and protected by another of lead, 

 was a shell of cedar wood in which, after the 

 lapse of more than three centuries, lay all that 

 was mortal of Agnes Sorel. Her fair hair was 

 plaited in a long tress, and two curls rested on her 

 forehead. As one of those present, more curious 

 than his fellows, stretched out his hand to touch, 

 all fell to dust. Death and Time were her 

 guardian angels. But even this desecration did 

 not suffice to drain the cup of unmerited 

 vengeance. In 1793 the tomb was rifled, the 

 sculptured features, so lovingly wrought, 

 defaced, and her dust cast to the winds. But 

 what matter ? Agnes had done her work 

 work which had to be done, and which she 

 alone could do. 



Another of the little band of chosen spirits 

 of which Agnes was the soul and centre, was 

 Pierre de Breze, Lord of Varenne and Brissac, 

 who early showed himself a man of affairs, 



