Édouard de Fitz-James, 6th Duke of Fitz-James facts for kids
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Édouard de Fitz-James, 6th Duke of Fitz-James
Duke of Fitz-James
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Édouard, 6th Duke of Fitz-James
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| MP for Haute-Garonne | |
| In office 10 January 1835 – 11 November 1838 |
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| Personal details | |
| Born | 10 January 1776 Versailles |
| Died | 15 November 1838 (aged 62) Château de La Rivière-Bourdet, Quevillon |
| Spouses |
Elisabeth Le Vassor de la Touche de Longpré
(m. 1797; died 1816)Antoinette Françoise Sidonie de Choiseul
(m. 1819) |
| Relations | Charles de Fitz-James (grandfather) Henri de Thiard de Bissy (grandfather) |
| Parents | Jacques Charles de Fitz-James Marie Claudine Silvie de Bissy |
Édouard de Fitz-James (born January 10, 1776 – died November 15, 1838) was an important French soldier and politician. He was the 6th Duke of Fitz-James. His family, the House of Stuart, had a long history in Britain.
Contents
Early Life and Family History
Édouard was born in Versailles, France, on January 10, 1776. He was the second son of Jacques Charles de Fitz-James, who was the 5th Duke of Fitz-James. His mother was Marie Claudine Silvie de Thiard de Bissy.
His family was very old and important. His great-grandfather was James FitzJames, 1st Duke of Berwick. He was an illegitimate son of King James II of England. This means Édouard's family was related to the royal family of England.
Growing Up During the French Revolution
When Édouard was a teenager, the French Revolution began. This was a time of big changes in France. Many noble families, like Édouard's, faced danger. To stay safe, Édouard had to leave France and go to Italy.
While in Italy, he joined a group called the Army of Condé. This army was made up of French nobles who had left France. They wanted to bring back the old system of government. Édouard served as an aide-de-camp, which is like a personal assistant, to a high-ranking military leader.
Édouard's Political and Military Career
Édouard returned to France in 1801. This was around the time the old royal family, the Bourbons, were starting to come back into power. This period is known as the Bourbon Restoration in France.
In 1805, Édouard became the 6th Duke of Fitz-James after his father passed away. He quickly became involved in politics and the military.
Roles in the National Guard
In 1813, Édouard joined the National Guard (France). This was a military force that helped keep order in France. He started as a Corporal, a lower military rank. He even helped guard a part of Paris in 1814.
When the Bourbon kings returned to power, Édouard became an important figure. He was an aide-de-camp to the Count of Artois, who later became King Charles X. He also became a Colonel in the National Guard.
A Peer of France
In 1814, Édouard was made a Peer of France. This was a very high title. It meant he was a member of the Chamber of Peers (France). This was like a parliament or a group of important nobles who helped make laws.
During this time, he was known for his "ultraroyalist" views. This means he strongly supported the king and the old royal system. He believed in giving the king a lot of power.
Important Political Actions
In 1815, a famous event called the Hundred Days happened. This was when Napoleon briefly returned to power. Édouard stayed loyal to King Louis XVIII and went with him to Ghent. When the king returned to Paris, Édouard took his place in the Chamber of Peers again.
He was involved in some important trials. For example, he insisted on a strong punishment for Marshal Michel Ney, a famous general. Édouard also played a part in the trial of General Henri Gatien Bertrand.
Later in his life, from 1835 to 1838, Édouard served as a representative for Haute-Garonne in the French parliament.
Personal Life and Family
Édouard was married twice. His first marriage was to Elisabeth "Betsy" Alexandrine Le Vassor de la Touche de Longpré in 1797. They were married in England.
Together, Édouard and Elisabeth had three children:
- Antoinette Alexandrine Claudine de Fitz-James (1799–1837)
- Jacques Marie Emmanuel de Fitz-James (1803–1846)
- Henri Charles François de Fitz-James (1805–1883)
Elisabeth passed away in 1816. A few years later, in 1819, Édouard married Antoinette Françoise Sidonie de Choiseul in Paris. Antoinette was a widow who owned a beautiful home called the Château de La Rivière-Bourdet.
Édouard de Fitz-James passed away at this château in Quevillon on November 15, 1838. His son, Jacques, became the next Duke of Fitz-James.
His Grandson, a Future Duke
Through his son Jacques, Édouard had a grandson named Édouard Antoine Sidoine de Fitz-James. He later became the 8th Duke of Fitz-James. His grandson married Marguerite Augusta Marie Löwenhielm, who was a French scientist who studied fungi.
