Jahanne Anne of Lysé

Jahanne Anne of Lysé, Duchess of Laungshe (26 April 1019-18 March 1082), was the spouse of Rogathu, Duke of Laungshe, son of Emperor Jakigan of Baland. After her nephew Belfante IV, Duke of Lysé, died without an heir, her son Jahan II, Duke of Laungshe inherited Duchy of Lysé and began the rule of House of Hafra over Lysé.

Early life
Jahanne Anne is the third daughter of Alan VII, Duke of Lysé, and Lebinreina of Palarra. She had 4 sisters, but only one survived brother, Alan VIII, future Duke of Lysé. Her sisters included Madharia Anna, Duchess of Kausaung, Kalanthe, Duchess of Mohal and Queen of the Saungson Island, Lebinreina, Duchess of Rinarcaïaunt, and Ophia Anne, who became a nun later and unmarried. Of all her parents' daughters, Jahanne Anne was the only one with issue.

One year after the birth of Jahanne Anne, Renee of Basnoi, Empress of Baland also gave birth to a son Rogathu. Alan VII immediately engaged his daughter to Rogathu, because Jakigan, Rogathu's father, was still in power at that time. Rogathu was his only surviving son and was likely to become emperor. However, when Jahanne Anne was 2, Isatal III overthrew Jakigan and became the new emperor of Baland. Renee fled with Rogathu. Therefore, Alan VII broke the engagement without hesitation, brought gifts and proposed to Isatal III that Jahanne Anne be engaged to his eldest son, Crown Prince Isatal. Isatal III agreed.

As the future Crown Princess and likely future empress, Jahanne Anne was most valued by her parents and received extremely strict teaching, which made her talented at a very young age. She was particularly interested in poetry. One of her tutors was the famous poet Menshan La Yalle at that time.

Engagement problems
Although Jahanne Anne has been engaged to the crown prince Isatal, the engagement had not been fulfilled. Especially after her brothers were born, Isatal III seemed to have little interest in the marriage. In 1033, Alan VII was told that the emperor was discussing with his courtiers to replace the marriage object of Jahanne Anne with his second son, Kanaunt, Duke of Atalimban. Alan VII was shocked. He hurriedly sent a messenger to ask the emperor about the authenticity of the matter. Isatal III denied it, but when the messenger asked when to fulfill the marriage agreement between the crown prince and Jahanne Anne, Isatal III avoided to answer this question.

When Prince Isatal died in 1035, his engagement with Jahanne Anne naturally ceased to exist. Alan VII was very upset. He tried to have Jahanne Anne engaged to the new crown prince Thusuaye, but Isatal III clearly refused. For a time, Jahanne Anne couldn't find a suitable marriage partner. Alan VII even considered letting her be a nun in the temple.

In 1036, Kalanthe, the second daughter of Alan VII, married Diagar II, Duke of Mohal. The Duke's mother, Joana, was the aunt of Rogathu and the sister of Isatal III. Under her mediation, Rogathu returned to Baland and was granted Duke of Laungshe. Joana proposed to Alan VII that Jahanne Anne and Rogathu be married. Alan VII was very hesitant, because after all, he had cancelled the engagement between Jahanne Anne and Rogathu, but Jahanne Anne readily agreed, perhaps because she was unwilling to be a nun.

In March 1037, Kensa, Count of Gabriant, set off a rebellion in Barikali against his half brother, Isacca II, King of Sayamati. In order to obtain support, Kensa found Alan VII and lured Jahanne Anne with the position of Queen of Sayamati. Alan VII was eager to get along with the Balish Empire, and as a traditional ally of Sayamati, the Empire supported Isacca II in the dispute. Therefore, Alan VII flatly refused Kensa and made it clear that he would marry Jahanne Anne to Rogathu. Renee, mother of Rogathu, was sister of Eliana, mother of Isacca II. Therefore, Alan VII made such a statement, which was equivalent to supporting Isacca II both tactfully and clearly. Kensa had to give up the alliance with Lysé. The engagement between Jahanne Anne and Rogathu was confirmed again after the incident.

Duchess of Laungshe
On 13 July 1037, Rogathu and Jahanne Anne got married in Yohiwa Temple. The wedding was not grand as Isatal III died 5 months ago, empress mother Kalidha Min Gasi who was in power now was hostile to Rogathu. Rogathu did not want to be accused of not respecting the emperor.

Their marriage was happy. They had a common hobby that both liked poetry. Rogathu also liked music very much. He often taught Jahanne Anne to play music, and the two often went to the theater together. At that time, Jahanne Anne was the most distinguished woman in the Empire except the Empress Mother. Because the emperor was still young and unmarried, Jahanne Anne often went to the court. She maintained a good relationship with Thusuaye I, which made Thusuaye I trusted his cousin Rogathu more. Jahanne Anne paid great attention to her words and deeds in the court. She knew that the Empress Mother was hostile to her husband, so she was always very cautious and kind to people. Even Kalidha Min Gasi appreciated her very much.

After the emperor married Isovanasi in 1044, Jahanne Anne was appointed to be the chief lady-in-waiting to the empress, and her annuity was raised to 2,300 nelas. She had an impact on Isovanasi. Many people believed that in order to help Rogathu fight against Kalidha, she used her position to incite the empress against Kalidha. After Mayadevi came to Nanwa, she continued to be trusted and remained her position as the chief lady-in-waiting. She sympathized with Mayadevi, who was noble but neglected by her husband, and often accompanied her. After the empress gave birth to Menshan Maya, she helped the empress find nannies and tutors for her son.

Jahanne Anne suffered from controversy because she had no children even after 10 years of marriage. Even her father wrote to accuse her of this. However, at that time, Jahanne Anne's other three married sisters did not give birth to a child. No wonder Alan VII was so worried. Rogathu defended his wife. He defended: "Maybe it's not her problem, it's my problem. After all, my siblings didn't survive.". Thusuaye I also personally comforted Jahanne Anne and Rogathu and showed his complete trust to his cousin.

But luckily, later, Jahanne Anne gave birth to 2 sons and a daughter in this marriage:

1. Rogathu Thusuaye, born on 18 June 1050, died in smallpox on 12 September 1066.

2. Kalanthe, born on 1 February 1055, was married to Menshan Maya, Duke of Thiwarik. She had no issue, and died on 11 May 1080.

3. Jahan Hsinpalay, later Jahan II, Duke of Laungshe and Jahan I, Duke of Lysé, born on 19 October 1057, died on 25 June 1092. He married twice: 1) Madhri of Hullijeau, with whom he had issue, 3 sons and 2 daughters, but only 1 daughter, Kalanthe, grew up. 2) Elyene of Mohal, with whom he had issue, 1 son and 2 daughters, all of whom died young.

Widowhood
When Rogathu died in 1069, Jahanne Anne fell into great sadness. Her son Jahan II became the new Duke of Laungshe. Jahan II was arrogant and domineering. Jahanne Anne persuaded him to change for several times, but he turned a deaf ear. After hosting her husband's funeral, Jahanne Anne refused to be regent for her son. Her brother Alan VIII came to Laungshe to help her nephew rule the duchy.

Jahanne Anne retired to a Goddess Suma Temple in Febela. She missed her husband for the rest of her life. In 1075, Empress Asha Vanni was arrested for rebellion, hoping that Jahanne Anne could help her to plead with Thusuaye I. Jahanne Anne persuaded the emperor to forgive his wife and son. Thusuaye I finally did not execute Asha Vanni, and her son was pardoned. In 1076, after the new empress Muhatana arrived at Nanwa, Jahanne Anne entered the palace and served as a female official for a period of time, assisting the young empress to rule the court. She also often went to visit former empress Mayadevi, who lived in seclusion in Malin. Her daughter Kalanthe married Mayadevi's son Menshan Maya.

In 1081, Kalanthe of Laungshe died, and Jahanne Anne's health became even worse. Jahan II, who was indulged in pleasure and ambitious, did not visit his mother, but sent some gifts. Jahanne Anne once wrote to her son to persuade him to be cautious, but it was obvious that Jahan II did not listen to her.

Jahanne Anne died on 18 March 1082. She had a good reputation, so many people attended her funeral. Jahanne Anne was buried in the Hepan Valley, not far from Tomb of Shawekki and Muztal Sultan Begum, but far from her husband Rogathu, who was buried next to his parents' Mausoleum in Yanimen.

In 1087, her nephew Belfant IV died and left no children. Therefore, her son Jahan II announced his rule over the Duchy of Lysé. On 17 April, he was officially recognized as Jahan I, Duke of Lysé, and began the rule of House of Hafra over Lysé. Kalanthe, daughter of Jahan II, inherited Laungshe and Lysé, and through marriage (marrying Nanjamin, Duke of Pasaan) passed them on to Elyene of Baland, great-granddaughter of Menshan Maya. Elyene married Rene, Duke of Basnoi, and merged their lands into Kingdom of Ransuei, thus Laungshe and Lysé became part of Ransuei.