- Born:
- March 15, 1493, Chantilly, France
- Died:
- November 12, 1567, Paris (aged 74)
- Title / Office:
- constable (1538-1541), France
- House / Dynasty:
- Montmorency family
Anne, duke de Montmorency
-
Who was Anne, duke de Montmorency?
Anne, Duke of Montmorency (1493â1567), was a powerful constable of France during the reigns of Francis I, Henry II, and Charles IX.
He fought in wars in northern Italy and southern France against Charles V, Holy Roman emperor and king of Spain, and in campaigns against the Huguenots under Charles IX. Montmorency was raised with the future Francis I, who appointed him to authority when he became king in 1515. He became marshal of France in 1522. Later, political mistakes and court intrigues forced him into retirement in 1541.
Upon Henry IIâs accession in 1547, Montmorency returned to court. He was created a duke and peer of France in 1551. When Charles IX became king in 1560, Montmorency regained power. He initially supported the Huguenots but later allied himself with the Duke de Guise and the Marshal de Saint-AndrĂ© in campaigns against them. Montmorency was wounded at the Battle of Saint-Denis in 1567 and died two days later.
3 Britannica SourcesCreated from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles. -
What role did Anne de Montmorency play in French history?
Anne de Montmorency was a powerful constable of France during the reigns of Francis I, Henry II, and Charles IX. Raised to authority in 1515, he was named marshal of France in 1522 and became the kingâs principal minister, controlling war, the royal household, public works, and foreign affairs.
Montmorency fought in numerous wars in northern Italy and southern France. Political mistakes forced him into retirement in 1541, but he returned to court in 1547. When Charles IX became king in 1560, Montmorency returned to power, later allying himself with the Duke de Guise and the Marshal de Saint-André in campaigns against the Huguenots.
2 Britannica SourcesCreated from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles. -
What important positions did Anne de Montmorency hold during his lifetime?
Anne, duke de Montmorency, held many important positions in France during the reigns of Francis I, Henry II, and Charles IX.
Key positions:
* Marshal of France (1522)
* Governor of Languedoc (1526)
* Grand Master of France/superintendent of the royal household (1526)
* Principal minister, controlling war, the royal household, public works, and foreign affairs
* Constable of France (1538)
* Duke and peer of France (1551)1 Britannica SourceCreated from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles. -
How was Anne de Montmorency involved in the wars of his time?
Anne de Montmorency was a key figure in the wars of his time, serving under French kings Francis I, Henry II, and Charles IX.
During his service, Montmorency participated in numerous campaigns in northern Italy and southern France against Charles V, the Holy Roman Emperor and King of Spain, and also in campaigns against the Huguenots during the reign of Charles IX.
Initially, he supported the Huguenots but later aligned himself with the Duke de Guise and the Marshal de Saint-André in campaigns against them. Notably, Montmorency achieved victory at the Battle of Dreux but was captured. He was also created a duke and a peer of France in 1551.
2 Britannica SourcesCreated from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles. -
How did Anne de Montmorency's relationship with French kings affect his power?
Anne de Montmorency's relationships with French kings significantly influenced his power. Raised alongside the future Francis I, he rose to prominence when Francis became king in 1515, eventually becoming the kingâs principal minister, controlling war, the royal household, public works, and foreign affairs. Henry II's accession in 1547 saw Montmorency's return to court, further solidifying his influence. Even during Charles IX's reign, Montmorency initially held power, demonstrating his enduring impact on French politics.
1 Britannica SourceCreated from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles. -
What is Anne de Montmorency's legacy in French history today?
Anne de Montmorency (1493-1567) was a prominent figure in French history, wielding considerable power during the reigns of Francis I, Henry II, and Charles IX as the constable of France.
Montmorency's legacy includes his service in wars against Charles V and campaigns against the Huguenots. He was known for his diplomatic missions and control over war, the royal household, public works, and foreign affairs. His extensive letters reveal his energy as a minister, though he was also known to be irascible and authoritarian. Despite political mistakes that led to a period of retirement, he returned to court under Henry II and continued to play a significant role in French affairs, including his involvement in the French Wars of Religion.
3 Britannica SourcesCreated from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
Anne, duke de Montmorency (born March 15, 1493, Chantilly, Franceâdied November 12, 1567, Paris) was a constable of France who was powerful during the reigns of Francis I, Henry II, and Charles IX. He served in the numerous wars in northern Italy and southern France against Charles V, Holy Roman emperor and king of Spain, and in the campaigns of Charles IX against the Huguenots.
Named after his godmother, Queen Anne of Brittany, consort of the French kings Charles VIII and Louis XII, Montmorency was brought up with the future Francis I, who raised him to authority when he became king in 1515. After fighting in several campaigns in Italy, he was named marshal of France in 1522. In 1524 he defended Provence and then returned to fight in Italy. Captured at Pavia (Italy) in 1525 along with the king, he was released and helped negotiate the Treaty of Madrid. In 1526 he was named governor of Languedoc and grand master of France (superintendent of the royal household). He was charged with diplomatic missions and eventually became the kingâs principal minister, controlling war, the royal household, public works, and foreign affairs. His many extant letters reveal his prodigious ministerial energy; he was also irascible and a ruthless authoritarian. In 1527 he succeeded in bringing England into the League of Cognac against the Holy Roman emperor Charles V, but in 1529 he helped negotiate the Peace of Cambrai between France and the emperor. In 1536 Montmorency again took up arms against Charles V, first in Provence, where he compelled Charles to withdraw by means of a âscorched earthâ strategy, then in northern Italy. Peace was negotiated in 1538, and he was named constable of France. In 1541, however, political mistakes and court intrigues forced him into retirement.
Recalled to court on Henry IIâs accession (1547), Montmorency savagely crushed a revolt against the salt tax at Bordeaux (1548). He was created a duke and a peer of France in 1551. Captured by the Spanish in 1557, he was released upon the conclusion of the Treaty of Cateau-CambrĂ©sis between France and Spain (1559).
When Charles IX became king in 1560, Montmorency returned to power. At first he supported the Huguenots but soon allied himself with the Duke de Guise and the Marshal de Saint-André in the campaigns conducted against them under Charles IX. He was victorious at the Battle of Dreux but was captured. Released in 1563, he commanded the army that took Le Havre from the English that year. When war with the Huguenots broke out again in 1567, Montmorency was wounded at the Battle of Saint-Denis, just outside Paris, and died two days later. Two of his five sons by Madeleine of Savoy succeeded him as duke.