François de Vendôme, duc de Beaufort facts for kids
Quick facts for kids François de Vendôme |
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| Duke of Beaufort | |||||
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Portrait by Jean Nocret
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| Born | 16 January 1616 Château de Coucy, Picardy, France |
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| Died | 25 June 1669 (aged 53) Candia, Crete |
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| House | Bourbon-Vendôme | ||||
| Father | César de Bourbon | ||||
| Mother | Françoise de Lorraine | ||||
François de Vendôme, Duke of Beaufort (born January 16, 1616 – died June 25, 1669) was an important French noble and military leader. He was the son of César de Bourbon, Duke of Vendôme. François was part of the powerful Bourbon family. He played a big role in a civil war called the Fronde. Later, he became a naval commander in the Mediterranean Sea.
In 1665, he led a French fleet that won a battle against Algerian ships. In 1669, he helped defend Candia (now Heraklion) on the island of Crete. This city was under attack by the Ottoman Turks. François de Beaufort was likely killed during a night attack on June 25, 1669. His body was returned to France for a special funeral.
Contents
Early Life and Career
François was the second son of César de Vendôme and Françoise of Lorraine. His father, César, was a son of King Henry IV of France. Henry IV was a famous French king. François started his career in the army. He fought in the early battles of the Thirty Years' War. This was a major European conflict.
In 1642, François joined a group against Cardinal Richelieu. Cardinal Richelieu was a powerful minister to the king. When this plan failed, Beaufort had to leave France. He lived in England for a time. He could only return after Richelieu died.
Role in the Fronde
After returning to France, Beaufort became a leader of a group called the "Importants." This group included many important court ladies. They hoped to have a big role in the new government. However, Cardinal Mazarin became the main minister.
Beaufort was accused of a plot against Mazarin. He was put in prison in September 1643. But he managed to escape on May 31, 1648. This was just in time to join the Fronde. The Fronde was a series of civil wars in France. It began in August 1648.
Beaufort sided with the Parliament and other nobles against Mazarin. The people of Paris loved him. He was a grandson of King Henry IV. He was known as the Roi des Halles, or "king of the markets." People even raised money to help him pay his debts. He hoped to become prime minister. However, other leaders of the Fronde saw him as a tool. He did not show much skill during the war.
Cardinal Mazarin sent Beaufort away from Paris in October 1652. He was allowed to come back in 1654. By then, Mazarin no longer saw him as a threat. After this, Beaufort stopped getting involved in court plots.
In 1658, he was put in charge of the French navy. He served the king loyally in naval wars from then on. In 1664, he led a mission against pirates near Algiers. In 1669, he led French soldiers defending Candia. Candia was a city on the island of Crete. It was being attacked by the Ottoman Turks. François de Beaufort was killed during a night attack on June 25, 1669. His body was brought back to France with great honor.
In Popular Culture
François de Beaufort appears in several famous stories. He is a character in two books by Alexandre Dumas: Twenty Years After and The Vicomte de Bragelonne. These books are sequels to The Three Musketeers. The first book describes his escape from prison.
He also appears in a French musical called Le Roi Soleil. This musical opened in Paris in 2005. Beaufort is also a main character in the "Secret d'État" book series. This series was written by French novelist Juliette Benzoni.
See also
In Spanish: Francisco de Borbón-Vendôme (1616-1669) para niños
