Agnes was born Agnes de Chastillon to a father whom she later described as a "bastard". At some point, she became known as Agnes de la Fère, for unrevealed reasons. Early years: Agnes was to marry François, allegedly "a pig" on her father's command. Agnes' sister offered her a dagger as wedding present, and thought Agnes should rather kill herself than marry François, the first time Agnes was given any kindness. She killed François at the altar with the dagger, and escaped the marriage. She was taken by her father into a forest, drawn by her hair as she was begging for mercy. There, she first met Etienne Villiers in that forest, who saw her in robes, her face and the dagger she was holding bloody. Etienne confused her for a ghost.