Jeanne de Jussie (1503–1561)

Jeanne de Jussie (or Jussy) was born at a castle in Jussy-l'évèque, near Geneva, Switzerland and was apparently educated in Geneva. Her family were Roman Catholics. Her father Louis de Jussie died before 1519, leaving an estate that was the subject of a lengthy legal battle before being sold off. Jeanne entered the Convent of Saint Clare (Poor Clares), an enclosed order, in 1521 at the age of 18. Because of her education, Jeanne was appointed the convent's secretary by 1530, and was responsible for all written correspondence with the outside world. It was in this capacity that she developed the skill with which she wrote La Petite chronique (The Short Chronicle), an account of the history of the Order during the Protestant Reformation.