Abel Servien facts for kids
Abel Servien (born November 1, 1593 – died February 17, 1659) was an important French diplomat. He worked closely with Cardinal Mazarin, a powerful leader in France. Abel Servien is famous for signing the Treaty of Westphalia, which helped end a long war in Europe. He was also one of the first members of the noblesse de robe, a group of nobles who served the French government in important legal and administrative jobs.
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Biography
Abel Servien was born at the château of Biviers, a castle near Grenoble, France. His father, Antoine Servien, was a high-ranking legal official in the region of Dauphiné.
Early Career and Rise to Power
Abel followed in his father's footsteps, taking over his office in 1616. The next year, he attended a special meeting called by the young King Louis XIII in Rouen. In 1618, he became an important advisor to the government. By March 1624, he was called to Paris, where he gained the favor of Cardinal Richelieu, another very powerful leader.
Servien showed great skill in managing government affairs and was very loyal to the central government. In 1627, he worked as a royal administrator in the region of Guienne. Here, his strong leadership qualities became clear. He proved he was a trusted follower of Richelieu, moving beyond his background in the local courts.
In 1628, he helped set the borders with Spain. The next year, he joined the king's army during the War of the Mantuan Succession, a war over who would rule Mantua. After the king returned to France, Servien stayed in Turin to work on peace talks. This is how he met Mazarin in 1631, and he was able to introduce Mazarin to Richelieu. Servien was one of the people who signed the Treaty of Cherasco and other agreements with the Duke of Savoy between 1631 and 1632.
Public Service and Retirement
In June 1630, Servien was made president of the local court in Bordeaux. However, he gave up this position when King Louis XIII offered him the job of Secretary of State for War. This was a very important role in managing the country's military.
In 1634, he became one of the first members of the Académie française, a famous group that protects the French language. Two years later, he left public life because of disagreements at court.
After leaving his public roles, Abel Servien moved to Angers. In 1641, he married Augustine Le Roux. They had three children. He bought his castle in Sablé in 1652, so he did not live there during his retirement.
Return to Diplomacy and Later Life
Servien's time away from public life ended when Cardinal de Richelieu died in 1642. That same year, Mazarin called him back to court. Mazarin asked him to handle France's diplomatic work in Germany, working with Count Claude d'Avaux.
After five years of talks, and a disagreement with Count d'Avaux, Servien signed two treaties on October 24, 1648. These treaties were part of the larger Peace of Westphalia, which brought an end to the Thirty Years' War in Europe.
When he returned to France in April 1649, he was given the title of Minister of State. He remained loyal to Mazarin during the Fronde, a series of civil wars in France. When Mazarin was exiled, Servien, along with his nephew Hugues de Lionne and his rival Michel le Tellier, became a de facto governor of France.
In 1653, he was made Superintendent of Finances, sharing the role with Nicolas Fouquet. He also advised Mazarin during the talks that led to the Treaty of the Pyrenees in 1659. Servien became very wealthy during his career. He died at the Château de Meudon, a castle he had bought in 1654 and had started to rebuild.
Family Connections
Abel Servien's nephew, Hugues de Lionne (1611–1671), also became a famous diplomat and minister under King Louis XIV. Abel's brother, Ennemond III de Servien, had a long career as the French ambassador to the court of Savoy. His older brother François was a Bishop of Bayeux.
Servien left behind many important letters and documents.
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