Charles, Prince of Soubise facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Charles de Rohan |
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|---|---|
| Duke of Rohan-Rohan, Duke of Ventadour, 4th Prince of Soubise, Prince of Épinoy, Marquis of Roubaix, and Count of Saint-Pol | |
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| Governor of Flanders and Hainaut | |
| Tenure | 26 September 1751 – 1 July 1787 |
| Predecessor | Charles Joseph Marie de Boufflers |
| Successor | Charles Eugène Gabriel de La Croix |
| Monarch | Louis XVI |
| Born | 16 July 1715 Palace of Versailles, Kingdom of France |
| Died | 1 July 1787 (aged 71) Hôtel de Soubise, Paris, Kingdom of France |
| Spouse |
Anne Marie Louise de La Tour d'Auvergne
(m. 1734; died 1739)Princess Anne Thérèse of Savoy
(m. 1741; died 1745)Landgravine Victoria of Hesse-Rotenburg
(m. 1745) |
| Issue Detail |
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| Noble family | Rohan |
| Father | Jules, Prince of Soubise |
| Mother | Anne Julie de Melun |
| Military career | |
| Allegiance |  Kingdom of France |
| Service/ |
 French Royal Army |
| Years of service | 1732–1762 |
| Rank | Marshal of France |
| Battles/wars | Seven Years' War |
Charles de Rohan, the 4th Prince of Soubise, was an important figure in 18th-century France. Born on July 16, 1715, he became a Marshal of France in 1758. He was a soldier and also served as a minister for kings Louis XV and Louis XVI. Charles was the last male from his part of the famous House of Rohan family. He was also the great-grandfather of the Duke of Enghien.
Who Was Charles de Rohan?
Charles was born at the grand Palace of Versailles in France. His parents were Jules, Prince of Soubise and Anne Julie de Melun. He was the oldest of five children. When he was born, he was called the Prince of Epinoy. He received the title of Prince of Soubise after 1749.
Sadly, his parents died in Paris in 1724 from a disease called smallpox. This made Charles and his siblings, including his sister Marie Louise, orphans.
After his parents passed away, Charles was raised by his grandfather, Hercule Mériadec, Duke of Rohan-Rohan. His grandfather brought him to the royal court. There, Charles became a close friend and companion to King Louis XV, who was the same age as him.
Charles joined King Louis XV in a military campaign between 1744 and 1748. He rose to a high rank in the military. However, his success was more due to his connections at court than his skills as a general.
Soon after the Seven Years' War began, Charles was given command of a large army of 24,000 men. This happened because of the influence of Madame de Pompadour, a close friend of the king. In November 1757, his army suffered a big loss at the Battle of Rossbach. This defeat was a major setback for France in the war.
Despite this, Charles had more success in his later military career. He continued to serve until the peace treaty of 1763 ended the war. After the war, he lived a normal life as a nobleman in Paris.
Charles's Family
Charles de Rohan was married three times during his life.
His first marriage was in 1734 to Anne Marie Louise de La Tour d'Auvergne. She was the daughter of Emmanuel Théodose de La Tour d'Auvergne (1668–1730). Anne Marie Louise passed away in 1739 while giving birth to a son. This son also died a few years later. They had one daughter who survived:
- Charlotte Élisabeth Godefride de Rohan (1737–1760), known as Charlotte. She married Louis Joseph, Prince of Condé, who was a royal prince. Charlotte was the grandmother of the Duke of Enghien.
In 1741, Charles married for a second time to Princess Anna Teresa of Savoy. She was a daughter of Victor Amadeus I, Prince of Carignano. Anna Teresa, also known as Anne Thérèse de Savoie, gave birth to another daughter:
- Victoire Armande Josèphe de Rohan (1743–1807). She married Henri Louis Marie de Rohan, who was her cousin. Victoire later became the governess for the daughter of Marie Antoinette, the Queen of France.
After Anne Thérèse died in 1745, Charles married for the third time in the same year. His third wife was Princess Anna Viktoria of Hessen-Rheinfels-Rotenburg. They did not have any children together.
What's His Legacy?
Charles de Rohan is remembered in a unique way through food. A creamy sauce called Soubise sauce is said to be named after him. This sauce is made with onions and a classic French sauce called béchamel.
