Gaston, Duke of Orléans facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Gaston |
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| Duke of Orléans | |||||
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Portrait by Anthony van Dyck, 1634
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| Born | 24 April 1608 Palace of Fontainebleau, France |
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| Died | 2 February 1660 (aged 51) Château de Blois, France |
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| Burial | Royal Basilica, Saint Denis | ||||
| Spouse |
(m. 1643) |
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| Issue Detail |
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| House | Bourbon | ||||
| Father | Henry IV of France | ||||
| Mother | Marie de' Medici | ||||
| Religion | Roman Catholicism | ||||
| Signature |  |
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Gaston, Duke of Orléans (born Gaston Jean Baptiste; April 24, 1608 – February 2, 1660), was a French prince. He was the third son of King Henry IV of France and his second wife, Marie de' Medici.
As a son of the king, he was known as a Fils de France. He later received the important title of Duke of Orléans. At court, he was often called Monsieur, a special title for the king's eldest brother.
Contents
Early Life and Royal Role
Gaston Jean Baptiste was born at the Palace of Fontainebleau on April 24, 1608. When he was born, he was given the title of Duke of Anjou.
In 1626, when he married Marie de Bourbon, Duchess of Montpensier, he received more titles. These included the duchies of Orléans and Chartres, and the county of Blois.
From 1611 until 1638, Gaston was the heir presumptive to the French throne. This meant he was next in line to become king if his older brother, King Louis XIII, had no children.
Political Disagreements
Gaston was often involved in political plots against his brother, King Louis XIII. He also plotted against the King's chief minister, Cardinal Richelieu.
Because of these disagreements, Gaston had to leave France two times. For example, after a conflict in Languedoc in 1632, he went to Flanders. He later made up with King Louis XIII.
However, Gaston continued to plot against Richelieu. In 1635, he fled the country again. He eventually made peace with the King and Cardinal.
In 1642, Gaston was involved in another plot to harm Richelieu. But he later abandoned his co-conspirator.
Later Military and Political Roles
In 1643, after King Louis XIII died, Gaston became the Lieutenant-General of the Kingdom. This was a very high military position. He helped fight against Spain on France's northern borders. In 1646, he was also made duc d'Alençon.
During a time of civil unrest in France called the Fronde (1648–1653), Gaston often changed sides. He did not always show strong loyalty to the crown.
Marriages and Family
Gaston had two main marriages and several children.
First Marriage
Gaston first married Marie de Bourbon, Duchess of Montpensier on August 6, 1626, in Nantes. Marie was a very wealthy heiress.
They had one daughter:
- Anne Marie Louise d'Orléans (born May 29, 1627). She was known as Mademoiselle de Montpensier and later as the Grande Mademoiselle.
Sadly, Marie de Bourbon died just six days after her daughter was born, on June 4, 1627.
Second Marriage
While Gaston was living away from France to avoid Cardinal Richelieu, he met Marguerite of Lorraine. She was the sister of the Duke of Lorraine. Gaston fell in love with her.
France and Lorraine were enemies at the time. Because of this, King Louis XIII did not allow Gaston to marry Marguerite. But Gaston went back to Lorraine and secretly married Marguerite on January 2 or 3, 1632. This secret wedding happened in Nancy.
Because he married without the King's permission, Gaston and Marguerite could not go to the French court. Their marriage was kept a secret for a while.
However, the King and Richelieu soon found out about the marriage. In 1634, the Parlement of Paris declared Gaston's marriage invalid. Even though Pope Urban VIII disagreed, the French clergy said that a prince could only marry with the King's permission.
Gaston and Marguerite tried to get married again in Malines. But Gaston eventually agreed to the annulment of his marriage.
It was not until King Louis XIII was very ill in May 1643 that he finally allowed Gaston to marry Marguerite. They had their third wedding ceremony in July 1643. After this, the Duke and Duchess of Orléans were finally welcomed at court.
Marguerite became known as Madame at court. After Gaston's mother died in 1642, Gaston inherited the Luxembourg Palace. This became their home in Paris. They also spent time at the Château de Blois.
Marguerite and Gaston had five children together. Three of their daughters lived to be adults:
- Marguerite Louise d'Orléans (born July 28, 1645). She married Cosimo III de' Medici, Grand Duke of Tuscany.
- Élisabeth Marguerite d'Orléans (born December 26, 1646). She married Louis Joseph of Lorraine, Duke of Guise.
- Françoise Madeleine d'Orléans (born October 13, 1648). She married Charles Emmanuel II, Duke of Savoy. She died without children.
- Jean Gaston d'Orléans (born August 17, 1650). He died as a baby.
- Marie Anne d'Orléans (born November 9, 1652). She also died as a baby.
Gaston also had two children outside of his marriages:
- Marie d'Orléans (born January 1, 1631).
- Louis d'Orléans (born January 13, 1638). He later became a general for Spain.
Later Life and Legacy
After Gaston's brother, King Louis XIII, died in 1643, his nephew Philippe became the new Monsieur. Philippe was the brother of the new king, Louis XIV.
To tell the two "Monsieurs" apart, Gaston was called Le Grand Monsieur (The Great Monsieur). His nephew Philippe was called Le Petit Monsieur (The Little Monsieur).
After the Fronde civil unrest, Gaston was sent away by Cardinal Mazarin to Blois in 1652. He stayed there until he died. All of his titles then went to his nephew Philippe.
See also
In Spanish: Gastón de Orleans para niños
- Charles de Lorme, Gaston's personal doctor
