Countess Christina of Salm,, was a duchess consort of Lorraine; married in 1597 to Francis II, Duke of Lorraine.
Background
She was the daughter of Paul, Count zu Salm and head of the House of Salm (c 1535 – c 1595) by his wife, Marie Le Veneur, of whom he was a second cousin-once-removed, the couple sharing descent from Philippe L"Huillier, seigneur de Manicamp and de Cailly, governor of the Bastille.
Career
Although the Salms had been semi-sovereign Imperial counts since 1475, neither they nor the Le Veneurs were reckoned among the major magnates of either the Holy Roman Empire or of France in the 16th century. However, when Francis married Christina, he was only the third son of Duke Charles III, destined for the countship of Vaudémont as appanage rather than for the sovereignty of Lorraine. Issue:
Henri de Lorraine, Marquis of Hattonchâtel (1602–1611) died in childhood;
Charles de Lorraine, Duke of Lorraine (1604–1675) married Nicolette de Lorraine, no issue.
Married Béatrice de Cusance and had issue;
Henriette de Lorraine (1605–1660), married Louis de Lorraine, Prince of Lexin, no issue, son of Louis II, Cardinal of Guise;
Nicolas de Lorraine, Duke of Lorraine (1609–1670) married Claude de Lorraine and had issue;
Marguerite de Lorraine (1615–1672), married Gaston de France, Duke of Orléans and had issue;
Christine de Lorraine (1621–1622) died in infancy.
