Secretary of State for War (France) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Secretary of State for War
Longest serving Nicolas de Neufville (25 October 1567 – 8 September 1588 30 September 1594 – 4 March 1606)
Department of War
Member of	Conseil du Roi Conseil d'État
Reports to	King of France
Term length	No fixed term
Formation	1 April 1547; 478 years ago (1547-04-01)
First holder	Guillaume Bochetel
Final holder	Louis Lebègue Duportail
Abolished	25 May 1791; 234 years ago (1791-05-25)
Succession	Minister of War

Imagine a time when kings ruled France! The Secretary of State for War was a very important job back then. This person was like the main boss for everything related to the French Army. They made sure the army was ready, had enough supplies, and was well-organized.

This role was one of the top jobs in the French government, working directly for the King of France. The Secretary of State for War also looked after the Marshalcy, which was a police force, and watched over France's border regions. This position existed for a long time, during a period known as the Ancien Régime. In 1791, during the French Revolution, the job changed its name to the Minister of War.

What Did the Secretary of War Do?

The Secretary of State for War had a huge responsibility. They were in charge of the entire French military. This included making sure soldiers were trained and equipped. They also managed the army's money and supplies.

Another key part of their job was overseeing France's borders. They had to make sure these areas were safe from attacks. This meant working with local leaders and military commanders. They were also responsible for the Marshalcy, which helped keep order in the countryside.

A Look at the Secretaries of War

The role of Secretary of State for War started in 1547. Over the years, many different people held this important position. They served under various kings of France, from Henry II to Louis XVI. Each secretary played a part in shaping France's military history.

The job was officially created when King Henry II appointed the first four Secretaries of State on April 1, 1547. These early secretaries shared many duties. Over time, the role became more focused on military matters.

Key Secretaries and Their Times

Many notable figures served as Secretary of State for War. They often came from powerful families. These individuals helped manage France's armies during times of peace and war. Their decisions impacted the safety and future of the country.

One of the longest-serving secretaries was Nicolas de Neufville. He held the position for many years, serving under different kings. His long time in office shows how important and stable this role could be.

The secretaries worked closely with the king. They advised him on military strategies and defense. They also helped manage the vast network of forts and troops across France. This was a very demanding job that required strong leadership.

The End of the Role

The position of Secretary of State for War lasted until 1791. This was a time of big changes in France, known as the French Revolution. The old system of government was being replaced. The role then changed into the Minister of War, which was part of a new government structure.

This change marked the end of an era. The new title reflected a shift in how France was governed. However, the importance of managing the country's military continued, just under a new name.

List of Secretaries

This table shows some of the people who held the important job of Secretary of State for War in France.

No.	Portrait	Name	Term			King	Ref.
			Took office	Left office	Time in office
The first four Secretaries of State were appointed by Henry II on April 1, 1547.
1		Guillaume Bochetel Seigneur de Sassy	1 April 1547	? ? 1558†	10 years, 275 days	Henry II
2		Claude II de l'Aubespine Baron de Châteauneuf	1 April 1547	11 November 1567†	20 years, 224 days	Henry II Francis II Charles IX
3		Côme Clausse Seigneur de Marchaumont	1 April 1547	? ? 1558†	10 years, 275 days	Henry II
4		Jean du Thier Seigneur de Beauvoir	1 April 1547	11 November 1559†	11 years, 275 days	Henry II Francis II
5		Jacques Bourdin Seigneur de Villeines	? ? 1558	6 July 1567†	9 years, 186 days	Henry II Francis II Charles IX
6		Florimond II Robertet Seigneur de Fresne	? ? 1558	? October 1567†	9 years, 273 days	Henry II Francis II Charles IX
7		Florimond III Robertet Baron d'Alluye	? ? 1559	? June 1569†	8 years, 151 days	Francis II Charles IX
8		Claude III de l'Aubespine Baron de Châteauneuf	? ? 1567	11 September 1570†	3 years, 253 days	Charles IX
9		Simon Fizes Baron de Sauves	22 October 1567	27 November 1579†	12 years, 36 days	Charles IX Henry III
10		Nicolas de Neufville Marquis de Villeroy	25 October 1567	8 September 1588	20 years, 319 days	Charles IX Henry III
11		Pierre de Brûlart Seigneur de Genlis	8 June 1569	8 September 1588	19 years, 92 days	Charles IX Henry III
12		Claude Pinart Baron de Cremailles	13 September 1570	8 September 1588	17 years, 361 days	Charles IX Henry III
The office became more distinct in 1588. Before this, the roles were less defined.
13		Louis de Revol	15 September 1588	24 September 1594†	6 years, 9 days	Henry III Henry IV
(10)		Nicolas de Neufville Marquis de Villeroy	30 September 1594	4 March 1606	11 years, 155 days	Henry IV
14		Pierre de Brûlart Marquis de Sillery	4 March 1606	9 August 1616	10 years, 158 days	Henry IV Louis XIII
Claude Mangot served as an interim (temporary) Secretary from August 9 to November 25, 1616.
Cardinal Armand Jean du Plessis also served as an interim Secretary from November 25, 1616, to April 24, 1617.
(14)		Pierre de Brûlart Marquis de Sillery	24 April 1617	5 February 1624	6 years, 287 days	Louis XIII
15		Charles Le Beauclerc Seigneur d'Achères	5 February 1624	12 October 1630†	6 years, 249 days	Louis XIII
16		Abel Servien Marquis de Sablé	11 December 1630	12 February 1636	5 years, 63 days	Louis XIII
17		François Sublet Baron de Dangu	12 February 1636	10 April 1643	7 years, 57 days	Louis XIII
18		Michel Le Tellier Marquis de Barbezieux	13 April 1643	? ? 1666	22 years, 263 days	Louis XIII Louis XIV
19		François Michel Le Tellier Marquis de Louvois	? ? 1666	16 July 1691†	25 years, 196 days	Louis XIV
20		Louis François Marie Le Tellier Marquis de Barbezieux	16 July 1691	5 January 1701†	9 years, 173 days	Louis XIV
21		Michel de Chamillart Seigneur de Montfermeil	8 January 1701	9 June 1709	8 years, 155 days	Louis XIV
22		Daniel François Voysin Seigneur de Mesnil-Voysin	9 June 1709	14 September 1715	6 years, 97 days	Louis XIV Louis XV Régence
Claude Louis Hector served as an interim Secretary on November 26, 1715.
Louis Phélypeaux served as an interim Secretary on October 14, 1715.
Joseph Jean Baptiste Fleuriau served as an interim Secretary on February 14, 1716.
23		Claude le Blanc	24 September 1718	1 July 1723	4 years, 280 days	Louis XV Régence
24		François Victor Le Tonnelier Marquis de Fontenay-Trésigny	4 July 1723	16 June 1726	2 years, 347 days	Louis XV
(23)		Claude le Blanc	16 June 1726	19 May 1728†	1 year, 338 days	Louis XV
25		Nicolas Prosper Bauyn Seigneur d’Angervilliers	23 May 1728	15 February 1740†	11 years, 268 days	Louis XV
26		François Victor Le Tonnelier Marquis de Fontenay-Trésigny	20 February 1740	7 January 1743†	2 years, 321 days	Louis XV
27		Marc Pierre de Voyer Comte d'Argenson	8 January 1743	2 February 1757	14 years, 25 days	Louis XV
28		Marc Antoine René de Voyer Marquis d'Argenson	3 February 1757	4 March 1758	1 year, 29 days	Louis XV
29		Charles Louis Auguste Fouquet Duc de Belle-Isle	4 March 1758	26 January 1761†	2 years, 328 days	Louis XV
30		Étienne François Duc de Choiseul	27 January 1761	24 December 1770	9 years, 331 days	Louis XV
Louis Phélypeaux served as an interim Secretary from December 24, 1770, to January 4, 1771.
31		Louis François Marquis de Monteynard	4 January 1771	28 January 1774	3 years, 24 days	Louis XV
32		Emmanuel Armand de Vignerot du Plessis-Richelieu Duc d'Aiguillon	28 January 1774	2 June 1774	125 days	Louis XV Louis XVI
33		Louis Nicolas Victor de Félix d'Ollières Comte du Muy	9 June 1774	10 October 1775†	1 year, 123 days	Louis XVI
34		Claude Louis Robert Comte de Saint-Germain	25 October 1775	23 September 1777	1 year, 333 days	Louis XVI
35		Alexandre Marie Léonor de Saint-Mauris Comte de Montbarrey	27 September 1777	15 December 1780	3 years, 79 days	Louis XVI
Charles Gravier served as an interim Secretary from December 15 to December 23, 1780.
36		Philippe Henri Marquis de Ségur	23 December 1780	27 August 1787	6 years, 247 days	Louis XVI
Louis Auguste Le Tonnelier served as an interim Secretary from August 27 to September 23, 1787.
37		Athanase Louis Marie de Loménie Comte de Brienne	23 September 1787	21 August 1788	272 days	Louis XVI
38		Louis Pierre de Chastenet Comte de Puységur	30 November 1788	12 July 1789	224 days	Louis XVI
39		Victor François Duc de Broglie	12 July 1789	16 July 1789	4 days	Louis XVI
The office was empty from July 16 to August 4, 1789.
40		Jean-Frédéric de la Tour du Pin de Gouvernet Comte de Paulin	4 August 1789	16 November 1790	1 year, 104 days	Louis XVI
41		Louis Lebègue Duportail	16 November 1790	25 May 1791	−199 years, 175 days	Louis XVI

See also

• Ancien Régime in France
• Early Modern France