Armand de Gontaut, Baron of Biron facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Armand de Gontaut
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| Baron of Biron | |
Sixteenth-century portrait of Biron.
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| Other titles | Marshal of France |
| Born | January 1524 Kingdom of France |
| Died | 26 July 1592 (aged 68) Épernay, Kingdom of France |
| Family | Famille de Gontaut |
| Spouse(s) | Jeanne, dame d'Ornezan |
| Issue | Charles, 1st Duke of Biron |
Armand de Gontaut, Baron of Biron (1524 – 26 July 1592) was a famous French soldier and a top diplomat. He became a Marshal of France, which was a very high military rank. Biron was known for his skills in both fighting wars and talking peace. He played a big part in the French Wars of Religion, a time when France was divided by religious conflicts.
Biron started his military career during the Italian Wars. He fought alongside important leaders like Marshal Brissac and Guise. Later, he commanded his own group of cavalry soldiers. After the wars in Italy ended, he returned to France. He saw how religious tensions were growing, which soon led to the French Wars of Religion.
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Who Was Armand de Gontaut?
Armand de Gontaut came from a noble family. They took their name from the Biron region in France. Their family castle, the Château de Biron, was built way back in the 11th century.
Biron was born in 1524. When he was young, he worked as a page for Queen Marguerite de Navarre. He was also very smart and loved to read and write. He even carried a small notebook to write down interesting things he learned. Some of his letters and writings about war are still kept in libraries today.
Biron had a son named Charles de Gontaut, duc de Biron. Charles also became a Marshal of France, just like his father.
Early Military Career
Biron first gained attention from Marshal Brissac, a top military leader. He fought in Italy and was wounded, which made him limp for the rest of his life. Because of this, people sometimes called him Armand Le Boiteux, meaning "Armand the Limper." But his injury didn't stop him from being a brave soldier. In 1557, he commanded a group of light cavalry. Soon after, he became the chief of a whole cavalry regiment.
Fighting in the French Wars of Religion
Biron was deeply involved in the French Wars of Religion. These were a series of civil wars between Catholics and Protestants (also called Huguenots) in France.
First Civil War Battles
During the first civil war, Biron fought for the king's side. He was at the Battle of Dreux in December 1562. This was an important battle where the royal forces fought against the Protestants.
Keeping the Peace
After the first war ended with the Edict of Amboise in March 1563, Biron was sent to Provence. His job was to make sure everyone followed the peace agreement. He helped take back a town called Sisteron that was still held by Protestants. He also helped the governor of Provence, Tende, get his position back. Biron reported to the king that some local nobles were causing trouble and not following the peace terms. He believed that only strong royal power could make them obey.
The Siege of Saint-Jean-d'Angély
After a big victory at the Battle of Moncontour in 1569, Biron suggested making peace. But the king wanted to keep fighting and capture Protestant strongholds. Biron was made the Grand Master of Artillery, meaning he was in charge of all the cannons. His first big task was to capture the town of Saint-Jean-d'Angély.
The siege was very difficult. Biron's soldiers faced strong resistance, and many got sick or went hungry. It took a long time, but the city finally surrendered in December. After the surrender, Biron even stopped his own soldiers from stealing from the defeated garrison, showing he wanted to keep the peace terms.
A Skilled Diplomat
Besides being a soldier, Biron was also a very important diplomat. He often met with Protestant leaders to discuss peace terms. In 1570, he talked with Gaspard II de Coligny, a major Protestant leader. Biron encouraged the king to keep talking, even if it was just to understand what the rebels wanted.
His most important diplomatic work was for the marriage of Henri of Navarre (who would later become king) and Margaret of Valois. Biron met with Henri's mother, Jeanne d'Albret, to arrange the marriage. He even escorted her to Paris to meet the queen, Catherine de'Medici.
The Siege of La Rochelle
After the terrible Massacre of Saint Bartholomew in 1572, many Protestants fled to La Rochelle, a well-fortified city. The king wanted the city to surrender peacefully, and Biron was named its governor. But the city refused to let him in.
Since negotiations failed, a long siege began in 1573. Biron was in charge of the cannons. His forces fired 25,000 cannonballs at the city! The siege was tough, and progress was slow. Eventually, Anjou (who later became king) took over the command. Anjou was elected King of Poland, so he negotiated a peace deal. As part of the agreement, Biron was finally allowed to enter the city briefly.
Serving King Henri III
When Henri III became the new King of France, Biron was made a Marshal. He helped the king deal with various challenges, including containing Condé who was trying to bring his army into France.
More Diplomacy and War
Biron continued to be a diplomat, trying to prevent new wars. In 1577, he was sent to talk with Henri of Navarre to avoid another conflict. Even though fighting broke out, Biron's efforts helped lead to the Treaty of Bergerac, which brought peace.
Biron was also the lieutenant-general of Guyenne, a region in France. This meant he had a lot of power there. However, some Protestants felt he wasn't fully carrying out the peace agreements. This led to more tensions and fighting, including Navarre's capture of Cahors in 1580.
Helping in the Netherlands
In 1582, the king's younger brother, Alençon, became the ruler of the United Provinces of the Netherlands. He needed help to keep control, so Biron led troops to support him. Biron arrived with 3,500 foot soldiers and many cavalry.
However, Alençon's rule in the Netherlands didn't last. He tried to take the city of Antwerp by surprise, but it was a disaster known as the French Fury. Biron was not involved in this failed attack. Biron's own army in the Netherlands struggled with a lack of money and soldiers leaving. He eventually had to withdraw his forces.
Dealing with the Catholic League
Later, a powerful group called the Catholic League gained a lot of influence. They wanted to force the king to fight against the Protestants. In 1585, Biron was ordered to fight against Navarre. However, Biron and another marshal, Matignon, didn't fight very hard. Biron even secretly talked with Navarre and made a truce.
In 1588, the Catholic League caused a lot of trouble in Paris, even setting up barricades in the streets. King Henri III ordered his troops to withdraw, and Biron helped lead them to safety. Biron also met with the Duke of Guise, the League's leader, to ensure the king's soldiers could leave safely.
Serving King Henri IV
After King Henri III was assassinated in 1589, Henri of Navarre became the new king. Biron was one of the first marshals to support him. He fought alongside the new king against the Catholic League.
Biron was with King Henri IV at the Battle of Ivry in Normandy, where the League's army was defeated. Sadly, Biron's long and distinguished military career ended during a siege. He was killed by a cannonball at the siege of Épernay on 26 July 1592.
See Also
- French Wars of Religion
- Marshal of France
Images for kids
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Sixteenth-century portrait of Biron.
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Portrait of Armand de Gontaut-Biron, Grand Master of Artillery
