Henri de Montmorency, 4th Duke of Montmorency facts for kids
Henri de Montmorency (born 1595 – died 1632) was an important French nobleman and military leader. He was also the 4th Duke of Montmorency. Henri was known for his bravery in battles and his high positions in the French government.
Contents
Biography
Early Life and Important Roles
Henri was born in Chantilly, Oise, France. His father was Henri I de Montmorency. King Henri IV was his godfather. This showed how much the king liked him. Henri was popular at court and with the people.
By 1612, he became the Grand Admiral of France. This meant he was in charge of the French navy. In 1614, he took over his father's title as Duke of Montmorency. He also became the governor of Languedoc, a region in southern France. With help from Marie de Medici, he married Maria Felicia Orsini. She was a noblewoman from Italy. From 1620 to 1625, Henri was also the viceroy of New France. This meant he was the king's representative in French lands in North America.
Military Victories and Challenges
Henri was a skilled military commander. He helped the king take back several important places from Protestants in France. He was part of the sieges of Montauban and Montpellier.
In 1625, a civil war started again. Henri was given command of a fleet of ships from Holland. He defeated the French Protestant fleet led by Soubise. Henri also captured the islands of Ré and Oleron. However, Cardinal Richelieu, the king's chief minister, was jealous of Henri's success. Richelieu did not give Henri the support he needed to continue his victories.
Later, in 1628 and 1629, Henri led a royal army. He fought against the forces of Henri, Duc de Rohan in Languedoc. Henri defeated this famous Huguenot leader.
Hero in Italy
In 1630, Henri became even more famous as a military leader. He fought in a war against the Spanish in Piedmont (Italy). This was called the War of the Mantuan Succession. Henri defeated the Piedmontese army at the Battle of Avigliana. During this battle, he bravely charged across a ditch. He captured the enemy general, Carlo Doria, himself. Henri fought like a regular soldier until the enemy was completely defeated.
After this victory, the siege of Casal was lifted. Henri also captured Saluzzo. For these great achievements, he was made a Marshal of France later that year. This was a very high military honor.
Conflict with Richelieu and His End
At the peak of his fame, Henri was asked to join those who opposed Cardinal Richelieu. Richelieu was trying to reduce the power of noble families like Henri's. In 1632, Henri used his position as governor of Languedoc. He gathered troops and money. He then joined the party of Gaston, Duke of Orleans. Gaston was the king's brother. Henri took command of an army of about six or seven thousand soldiers.
Attempts to negotiate a peace failed. Henri's army was confronted by Marshal Schomberg at the Battle of Castelnaudary on September 1, 1632. Henri tried to repeat his brave charge from Avigliana. He led a charge into the royal camp with a few horsemen. He fought through many enemy soldiers. His horse was killed, and he was badly wounded. Henri was then captured.
Gaston, the king's brother, abandoned Henri. Cardinal Richelieu decided that Henri must be executed. This was meant to be an example to other nobles who might plot against the king. Many people across France begged for Henri's life. However, King Louis XIII only agreed that the execution would be private. Henri was beheaded in Toulouse's town hall on October 30, 1632. His title then passed to his sister, Charlotte Marguerite.
See also
In Spanish: Enrique II de Montmorency para niños
