Laura Martinozzi
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Laura Martinozzi (May 27, 1639 - July 19, 1687) was the regent of the Duchy of Modena and Reggio in the name of her son, Francesco. She was born in Fano to Cardinal Mazarin's eldest sister, also named Laura, and Girolamo Martinozzi, an Italian noble. She was one of the Mazarinettes - the seven nieces of the Cardinal that he brought to France in order to arrange for them rich and politically advantageous marriages.
In 1655, Laura was married to the Duke of Modena, Alfonso IV d'Este. They had two children: Maria Beatrice d'Este (1658-1718), who would married the future King James II of England, and Francesco (1660-1694), who was the Duke of Modena and Reggio from 1662 to 1694.
Laura was abandoned by her son and died in Rome in 1687, shortly before the birth of her grandson, James Francis Edward. She was buried in the Este chapel of the Church of San Vincenzo at Modena.
