Friday, 30 October 2020

The Maréchaux of Louis XIV

The title of Marèchal de France was specific to the court of France; it should not be confused as being a military rank - rather it was an honourific title granted to generals who had distinguished themselves in an extraordinary manner on the battlefield. The outward signs were the baton of office which were blue and adorned with golden fleur-de-lys. The uniform of the lucky recipient also underwent changes once the honour was granted; seven stars were embroidered onto the epaulettes.

During the reign of Louis XIV, the title was granted to no fewer than 53 officers. Below you will find a complete list of their names, familial allegiances reason for receiving the honour - and a fun fact.


César de Choiseul, Duc de Choiseul

Family: Choiseul
Year granted: 1645
Military campaigns: La Rochelle, Isle of Ré, Italian campaign of 1635
Interesting fact: he remained on the side of the royal family during the Fronde which earned him the gratitude of both Anne of Austria and Louis XIV

Caesar, duc de Choiseul.jpg

Josias Rantzau, Comte de Rantzau

Family: Rantzau
Year granted: 1645
Military campaigns: Franco-Spanish War (for France)
Interesting fact: Josias was a Dane who used his military skill on behalf of four different sovereigns: the king of Denmark, the king of France, the Prince of Orange and the king of Sweden

Alaux - Josias Rantzau (1609-1650) - MV 1002.jpg

Nicolas V de Neufville de Villeroi, Duc de Villeroi

Family: Neufville de Villeroi
Year granted: 1646
Military campaigns: Italian campaign (possible the Cretan War of 1645)
Interesting fact: he gained the honour through Cardinal Mazarin and was later appointed as governor of the young Louis XIV


Antoine d'Aumont de Rochebaron, Duc d'Aumont

Family: Aumont
Year granted: 1651
Military campaigns: Fronde, Thirty Years' War
Interesting fact: he died from a fit of apoplexy in 1669

Antoine d'Aumont de Rochebaron


Jacques d'Étampes, Marquis de La Ferté-Imbert

Family: d'Étampes
Year granted: 1651
Military campaigns: Fronde, La Rochelle, Thirty Years' War
Interesting fact: before Louis XIV's ascension to the throne, he served Louis XIII in his wars against the French Protestants

Jacquesdestampes.jpg


Henri II de la Ferté-Senneterre, Duc de la Ferté-Senneterre 

Family: La Ferté-Senneterre
Year granted: 1651
Military campaigns: Dutch revolt against Spain, La Rochelle, Louis XIII's campaign in Lorraine and Rocroi
Interesting fact: he received his title following a successful defense of Hesdin against the Spanish army in 1639. When he was captured - during a campaign - in 1656, he was ransomed by Louis XIV to whom he had remained loyal during the Fronde


Charles de Monchy, Marquis d'Hocquincourt 

Family: Monchy
Year granted: 1651
Military campaigns: Franco-Spanish War, Thirty Years' War
Interesting fact: he died while defending Dunkirk

Charles de Monchy d'Hocquincourt

Jacques Rouxel, Comte de Grancey

Family:
Year granted: 1651
Military campaigns: Thirty Years War, Religious Wars
Interesting fact: he was originally intended - as the sixth child - to go into the church but decided on the army instead

Armand Nompar de Caumont, Duc de La Force 

Family: Caumont
Year granted: 1652
Military campaigns: Italian and German campaigns of Louis XIV
Interesting fact: he was a Huguenot Protestant who had no less than two horses shot out from under him during the Siege of Hondarribia

Armand de Caumont, duc de La Force.jpg

Philippe de Clérambault, Comte de la Palluau 

Family: Clérambault
Year granted: 1652
Military campaigns: Thirty Years' War, Fronde
Interesting fact: he was granted his title of Marèchal for his loyalty to the crown during the Fronde

Philippe de Clérambault

César Phoebus d'Albret, Comte de Miossens 

Family: Albret
Year granted: 1652
Military campaigns: Eighty Years' War (fighting for the Dutch against the Spanish), Dunkirk and Mardyck 
Interesting fact: Cardinal Mazarin was hesitant about fulfilling his promise of the title of Marèchal; it was only after court intrigue - including by César's cousin, Madame de Montespan - that César was given it.


Louis de Foucault de Saint-Germain-Beaupré, Comte de La Daugnon

Family: Foucault
Year granted: 1653
Military campaigns: Fronde and Siege of Orbetello
Interesting fact: he was initially opposed to the crown during the Fronde but changed sides in 1653


Jean de Schulemberg, Comte de Montejeu  

Family: Schulemberg
Year granted: 1658
Military campaigns: Thirty Years' War (where he partook in the defenses of Coblenz and Arras before commanding troops in both Berry and Artois)
Interesting fact: one of his finest military moments was when he drove back the Grand Condé before the city of Arras in 1654

Abraham de Fabert, Marquis d'Esternay

Family: Fabert
Year granted: 1658
Military campaigns: sieges of La Rochelle, Stenay and Exilles during the Huguenot Rebellions
Interesting fact: Abraham differed from the majority of the men on this list in one particular aspect - he was not an aristocrat. As such, he would become the first commoner to reach the title of Marèchal de France.

Fabert, Abraham (de), BNF Gallica.jpg


Jacques de Mauvisière, Marquis de Castelnau 

Family: Caustelnau-Bochetel
Year granted: 1658
Military campaigns: Flanders Campaign, Thirty Years' War, Franco-Spanish War
Interesting fact: he was shot while inspecting the Fort of Léon but managed to return to court. A short time later he died of his wounds

Jacques de Castelnau

Bernardin Gigault, Marquis de Bellefonds 

Family: Gigault
Year granted: 1668
Military campaigns: Fronde, Franco-Spanish War of 1635-59, War of Devolution, Franco-Dutch War of 1672-78, War of the Reunions, Nine Years' War etc.
Interesting fact: he was given the prestigious posts in the royal households of both Louis XIV and the Grand Dauphine and Grande Dauphine. If anything, he certainly deserved his promotion - he spent 41 years in active service!

Bellefonds, marechal.jpg

François de Créquy, Marquis des Marines 

Family: Blanchefort de Créquy
Year granted: 1668 
Military campaigns: Franco-Spanish War of 1635-59, Occupation of Lorraine, War of Devolution and War of the Reunions
Interesting fact: both he and his brother remained loyal to the crown during the Fronde. He would fall from grace in 1675 when he failed to hold the city of Trier - he was blamed for the failure by both Louis XIV and his ministers. Although not entirely disgraced, he would never enjoy the same confidence again

François de Blanchefort de Créquy (1629-1687).jpg


Louis de Crevant, Duc d'Humières 

Family: Crevant
Year granted: 1668
Military campaigns: Franco-Spanish War of 1635-59, Nine Years' War, War of Devolution and War of the Reunions
Interesting fact: along with the Marèchaux de Créquy and Bellefonds, he was exiled briefly in 1672 when they refused to serve under Turenne - it was a long-standing tradition that one Marèchal did not serve under another

Louis de Crevant, maréchal d'Humières, Grand Maitre de l'Artillerie (1685-1694).jpg


Godefroy d'Estrades, Comte d'Estrades

Family: d'Estrades
Year granted: 1675
Military campaigns: Italian Campaign of the 1640's, Catalonian Campaign of the 1650's and the Dutch Campaign of 1675
Interesting fact: he was a skilled negotiator who was sent by Louis XIV to settle the treaties of Breda with Denmark and Nijmwegen with the Netherlands. He also arranged the restitution to France of Dunkirk.


Philippe de Montaut-Bénac, Duc de Navailles 

Family: Montaut-Bénac
Year granted: 1675
Military campaigns: Thirty Years' War, Fronde, Franco-Spanish War, Ten Years' War, War of Devolution, Franco-Dutch War
Interesting fact: he was exiled with his wife when she refused Louis XIV entry in the chamber of Anne of Austria's young ladies

Philippe de Montaut-Bénac de Navailles


Friedrich Hermann von Schönberg, Duc de Schomberg 

Family: Schönberg (Schomberg in French)
Year granted: 1675
Military campaigns: Catalonian Campaign and many others (but for foreign powers)
Interesting fact: This German (born in Heidelberg) had the honour of being not "only" a French Marèchal but also a General in both the English and the Portuguese Armies. He was forced to leave France after the Edict of Nantes was revoked. He died in the Battle of the Boyne.


Jacques Henri de Durfort, Duc de Duras

Family: Durfort
Year granted: 1675
Military campaigns: War of the Grand Alliance and Thirty Years' War
Interesting fact: he took part in the destruction of the Palatinate - home of Madame, Louis XIV's sister-in-law. He was in high favour with the king who allowed him to say what he pleased.


François d'Aubusson, Duc de La Feuillade 

Family: d'Aubusson de La Feuillade
Year granted: 1675
Military campaigns: Fronde, Franco-Spanish War, Austro-Turkish War, Franco-Dutch War and War of Devolution
Interesting fact: he spent lavish sums on his Hôtel de La Feuillade which is said to have cost over 7.000.000 livres.

François III d'Aubusson.jpg


Louis Victor de Rochechouart, Duc de Mortemart

Family: Rochechouart 
Year granted: 1675
Military campaigns: Flanders, Franco-Dutch War
Interesting fact: he was the brother of Madame de Montespan whose influence aided him in getting the position of General of the Galleys. He was later made Viceroy of Sicily and First Gentleman of the King's Chamber

1780 engraving of the "Maréchal de Vivonne" (Louis Victor de Rochechouart, Duke of Vivonne).jpg


François-Henri de Montmorency, Duc de Luxembourg 

Family: Montmorency-Bouteville
Year granted: 1675
Military campaigns: Franco-Dutch War, War of the Grand Alliance and War of Devolution
Interesting fact: he suffered from the disability of being hunch-backed; nevertheless, his mind was sharp and he is credited with never having lost a battle

Marshal luxembourg.jpg


Henri Louis d'Aloigny, Marquis de Rochefort 

Family: d'Aloigny
Year granted: 1675
Military campaigns: War of Devolution, Franco-Dutch War
Interesting fact: he was gravely wounded in 1676 which led to his death at Nancy


Guy de Durfort, Duc de Lorges 

Family: Durfort
Year granted: 1676
Military campaigns: Franco-Dutch War, Nine Years' War and the Destruction of the Palatinate
Interesting fact: he was born a twin, but his brother died in infancy. He would later so impress Louis XIV that he was elevated from his title of Comte de Lorges to Duc de Lorges

Blondel - Guy Aldonce de Durfort de Lorges (1630-1702) - MV 1042.jpg


Jean II d'Estrées, Comte d'Estrées 

Family: d'Estrées
Year granted: 1681
Military campaigns: Caribbean and Franco-Dutch War
Interesting fact: he was the nephew of Gabrielle d'Estrées, mistress to Henri IV. He suffered a naval disaster at Las Aves for which he was blamed by some. Nevertheless, once he made it back to France, the king absolved him of blame


Claude de Choiseul, Marquis de Francières 

Family: Choiseul
Year granted: 1693
Military campaigns: Franco-Dutch War


Jean Armand de Joyeuse, Marquis de Grandpré 

Family: Joyeuse 
Year granted: 1693
Military campaigns: Nine Years' War, Franco-Dutch War and War of the Spanish Succession
Interesting fact: during the Battle of Neerwinden he was shot which resulted in the end of his active military career


François de Neufville, Duc de Villeroi

Family: Neufville de Villeroi
Year granted: 1693
Military campaigns: War of the Grand Alliance, Franco-Dutch War and War of the Spanish Succession
Interesting fact: his nomination was almost entirely based on royal favour. He had been the governor of Louis XIV and had been a firm favourite for years. When he was made Marèchal he had never had a significant command in either army or navy. It was he who - for no apparent reason - decided to bombard Brussels to such an extend that the city had to be rebuilt in the 18th century

Caminade - François de Neufville de Villeroy (1644-1730) - MV 1043.png


Louis François de Boufflers, Duc de Boufflers

Family: Boufflers
Year granted: 1693
Military campaigns: Conquest of Lorraine, Franco-Dutch War and Nine Years' War
Interesting fact: he was wounded while besieging Mons and partook in the Siege of Namurs alongside Louis XIV 

Portrait du duc de Boufflers (bgw18 1264).jpg

Anne-Hilarion de Costentin, Comte de Tourville

Family: Costentin
Year granted: 1693
Military campaigns: Nine Years' War
Interesting fact: he was an immensely successful naval commander who managed to heavily damage the 97 ships of the Anglo-Dutch fleet while himself having just 45 ships at his disposal - eventually, his enemies sent fireships at him which forced him to retreat. He would also inflict another defeat on the English-Dutch alliance in 1690 when he sunk or captured 15 ships

Tourville-musee-marine.jpg

Anne Jules de Noailles, Duc de Noailles

Family: Noailles
Year granted: 1693
Military campaigns: Nine Years' War and War of the Spanish Succession
Interesting fact: he raised a regiment which (naturally) was named after him

Anne-Jules, duc de Noailles (1650-1708).jpg

Nicolas Catinat

Family: Catinat (commoner)
Year granted: 1693
Military campaigns: War of Devolution, Franco-Dutch War, Italian Campaign and War of the Spanish Succession 
Interesting fact: the other commoner on the list, Nicolas was the son of a magistrate


Louis Joseph de Bourbon, Duc de Vendôme

Family: Bourbon-Vendôme
Year granted: 1695
Military campaigns: Franco-Dutch War, Nine Years' War and War of the Spanish Succession 
Interesting fact: he was one of the best strategists of his time, even receiving praise from Eugene of Savoy. He earned the respect of his men by his calculated maneuvers which caused minimal loss of lives

Duc de Vendôme, 1706.jpg

Claude Louis Hector de Villars, Duc de Villars

Family: Villars 
Year granted: 1702
Military campaigns: Franco-Dutch War, Nine Years' War, War of the Spanish Succession and War of the Polish Succession
Interesting fact: while being a successful general, he was better known at court for his boasting - and his love for young men

0 'Le maréchal de Villlars' - Rigaud - Vaux-le-Vicomte.JPG

Noël Bouton, Marquis de Chamilly

Family: Bouton
Year granted: 1703
Military campaigns: Franco-Dutch War, Nine Years' War, War of the Spanish Succession and War of Devolution
Interesting fact: he was granted the Order of the Holy Spirit


Victor Marie, Duc d'Estrées 

Family: d'Estrées 
Year granted: 1703
Military campaigns: Franco-Dutch War, War of the Spanish Succession 
Interesting fact: he served as a member of the Regency Council but had little flair for politics. Instead, he devoted his time to his enormous collection of art and books

Nicolas de Largillière - portrait of Victor Marie d'Estrées, Duke of Estrées in 1710.jpg


François Louis Rousselet, Marquis de Château-Renault 

Family: Rousselet
Year granted: 1703
Military campaigns: Franco-Spanish War, Nine Years' War and War of the Spanish Succession
Interesting fact: he managed to withstand an attack by Cornelius Evertsen with 25 ships despite having just 6 ships at his own disposal

Chateaurenault.jpg

Sébastien Le Prestre, Marquis de Vauban

Family: Preste de Vauban
Year granted: 1703
Military campaigns: Franco-Dutch War, Nine Years' War, War of Devolution, War of the Reunions and War of the Spanish Succession
Interesting fact: he was a forward thinker whose ideas clashed with the time he lived in. For example, he suggested that taxation should be spread out more equally and that borders should be decided by coherence and defensibility 

Sebastien le Prestre de Vauban.png

Conrad von Rosen, Marquis de Rosen

Family: Rosen
Year granted: 1703
Military campaigns: Franco-Dutch War and Nine Years' War
Interesting fact: he was originally from Livonia - then under Swedish control - where he was exiled for killing an officer in a duel

1705 - Conrad von Rosen-Kleinröb (copie Joué).jpg


Nicolas Chalon du Blé, Marquis d'Huxelles 

Family: Chalon du Blé
Year granted: 1703
Military campaigns: Nine Years' War
Interesting fact: he represented the king during the negotiation for the treaty of Utrecht  

René de Froulay, Comte de Tessé

Family: Froulay
Year granted: 1703
Military campaigns: Franco-Dutch War, NineYears' War, War of the Spanish Succession
Interesting fact: he was one of the leading officers who carried out Louis XIV's scorched-earth policy in the Palatinate

Le maréchal de Tessé.JPG


Camille d'Hostun, Duc de Tallard 

Family: Hostun de La Baume
Year granted: 1703
Military campaigns: Nine Years' War, War of the Spanish Succession 
Interesting fact: Camille witnessed the utter destruction of the forces under his command at the Battle of Blenheim after which he was captured by the English. Nevertheless, he was made a Marèchal and made a duke when he returned to France


Nicolas Auguste de La Baume, Marquis de Montrevel 

Family:
Year granted: 1703
Military campaigns:
Reason for receiving the title:
Interesting fact:


Henri d'Harcourt, Duc d'Harcourt 

Family: d'Harcourt
Year granted: 1703
Military campaigns: War of the League of Augsburg, Nine Years' War, Franco-Dutch War
Interesting fact: he was serving in the French Army of the Rhine when he suffered a stroke which forced him to retire

Maréchal d'Harcourt Beuvron.jpg


Ferdinand de Marchin, Comte de Marsin 

Family: Marchin
Year granted: 1703
Military campaigns: War of the Spanish Succession, Flanders Campaign
Interesting fact: Ferdinand died while serving as he was severely wounded at the Battle of Turin. He was captured and died in prison shortly afterwards


James FitzJames, Duke of Berwick 

Family: Stuart
Year granted: 1706
Military campaigns: Nine Years' War, War of the Spanish Succession
Interesting fact: he was the illegitimate son of James II of England (whose claim to the English throne Louis XIV supported) and Arabella Churchill

James Fitz-James, primer duque de Berwick (Museo del Prado).jpg


Charles Auguste Goyon, Comte de Matignon 

Family: Goÿon de Matignon
Year granted: 1708
Military campaigns: Franco-Dutch War, War of the Spanish Succession
Interesting fact: he accompanied James II when set sails for Ireland

Charles Auguste de Goyon de Matignon

Jacques de Bazin, Marquis de Bezons 

Family: Bazin de Bezons
Year granted: 1709
Military campaigns: War of the Spanish Succession, Nine Years' War and Siege of Candia
Interesting fact: he was made a member of the Regency Council following the death of Louis XIV

Pierre de Montesquiou, Comte d'Artagnan  

Family:
Year granted: 1709
Military campaigns: War of the Spanish Succession
Interesting fact: not to be confused with the famous Musketeer from Alexandre Dumas' "The Three Musketeers" - although he was the cousin of the man whom that character was based on. He had no fewer than 3 horses shot out from under him during the Battle of Malplaquet

Alberico III Cybo-Malaspina, Duc de Massa

Family: Cybo-Malaspina
Year granted: 1703
Interesting fact: he was an Italian and appears to have led a rather obscure life

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