V.
VALADA, a Moorish Spaniard, Daughter of King Almostakeph, of Corduba,
Wonderfully skilled in polite learning, and on that account much celebrated by writers. She more than once contending with scholars noted for their learning, in rhetoric, and always bore away the palm from them. She died 1091.
VALENTINOIS (DIANA DE POICTIERS, DUCHESSE DE); born about 1496, or 1500; died 1566;
So that she must have been at least forty years of age, when Henry II. at the age of eighteen, became so deeply attached to her: and though near sixty at the death of this prince, she had always maintained her ascendancy over him. She married, 1541, Lewis de Brezé, at that time grand seneschal of Normandy; and married her daughters very advantageously, the second to the Prince de Sedan. In 1549 she was made Duchesse de Valentinois. In 1552 she nursed the queen in a dangerous illness, notwithstanding she did not love her. She preferred the interest of the state to the aggrandizement of her family, and she loved the glory of her King. Her charities were immense; and every man distinguished for genius was sure of her support. Yet, towards the end of the reign of Henry, she did not make so good use of her power, for she persuaded him to break the truce with
