Charles Colbert, Marquis of Croissy facts for kids
Charles Colbert, Marquis of Croissy (born in 1625, died July 28, 1696) was an important French statesman and diplomat. He played a key role in France's foreign policy during the reign of King Louis XIV.
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Early Life and Career
Charles Colbert was born in Reims, a city in France. Like his older brother, Jean-Baptiste Colbert, Charles started his career working for Michel Le Tellier, who was the minister of war.
In 1656, Charles bought a position as a counselor at the parlement (a type of high court) in Metz. Two years later, in 1658, he became an intendant (a royal administrator) for Alsace. He also became the president of a new council in Alsace. His job was to help organize this area, which had recently become part of France.
Because his brother had a lot of influence at court, Charles was sent on several diplomatic missions. He traveled to Germany and Italy between 1659 and 1661. In 1662, he was given the title of Marquis de Croissy and became a président à mortier (another high judicial position) in Metz.
Becoming a Diplomat
After working as an intendant in different cities like Soissons (1665), Amiens (1666), and Paris (1667), Charles Colbert decided to focus entirely on diplomacy.
Key Diplomatic Missions
In 1668, he represented France at the conference of Aix-la-Chapelle. This meeting helped end a war. Later that year, in August, he was sent as an ambassador to London, England. His main task there was to negotiate the Treaty of Dover with Charles II of England, who was the King of England at the time.
Colbert helped arrange a meeting between King Charles II and his sister, Henrietta of Orléans, in Dover. He also convinced King Charles II to declare the Third Anglo-Dutch War against the Dutch Republic.
Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs
Colbert's skills as a diplomat became even more clear during the negotiations for the Treaty of Nijmwegen (1676–1678). This treaty helped end several wars in Europe.
Because of his success, King Louis XIV made him the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs for France in 1679. This was a very important job, as he was now in charge of all of France's dealings with other countries. He was the main person foreign ambassadors met with, and he gave all diplomatic instructions.
Colbert had an idea to expand French territory peacefully by using "chambers of reunion." He had thought of this plan for Alsace as early as 1658. His goal was to keep the lands France had gained without starting new wars. To do this, he signed agreements with the elector of Brandenburg (1681) and with Denmark (1683).
However, problems arose after the Edict of Nantes was revoked in 1685. This event caused unrest and forced Colbert to prepare for war with Germany in 1688. He was working on new peace negotiations when he passed away at the Palace of Versailles, near Paris, on July 28, 1696.
Family Life
In 1664, Charles Colbert married Françoise Béraud. She was the daughter of a wealthy banker and brought with her the land of Croissy. This land was later made into a Marquisate in 1676. Charles and Françoise had seven children:
- Jean Baptiste Colbert, Marquis of Torcy (1665–1746): He followed in his father's footsteps and became the Minister of Foreign Affairs.
- Charles Joachim Colbert (1667–1738): He became the Bishop of Montpellier.
- Marie-Françoise (1671–1724): She married the Marquis of Bouzols.
- Louis-François Henri Colbert, Count of Croissy (1676–1747): He was a military officer and diplomat.
- Charlotte Colbert (1678–1765): She became the abbess of the Maubuisson Abbey.
- Marguerite Thérèse Colbert (1682–1769): She married the Marquis de Reynal and later the Duke of Saint-Pierre.
- Olympe Sophie Colbert (1686–1705): She did not marry.
