Olympia Mancini, Countess of Soissons

Olympia Mancini, Countess of Soissons, born on July eleventh, sixteen thirty-eight, was a prominent figure at the court of King Louis XIV of France. As the second-eldest of the five renowned Mancini sisters, she, along with her Martinozzi cousins, earned the moniker 'Mazarinettes' due to their uncle, Cardinal Mazarin, serving as the king's chief minister.

Her life was marked by significant achievements, including her role as the mother of the illustrious Austrian general, Prince Eugene of Savoy. Olympia's influence extended beyond her familial ties, as she actively participated in the intricate web of court intrigues that characterized the era.

One of the most notable episodes in her life was her involvement in the infamous Affair of the Poisons, a scandal that ultimately led to her expulsion from France. This event underscored the perilous nature of court life and the delicate balance of power and reputation.