Chauvelin Family
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Who were the Chauvelin family in France?
The Chauvelin family was a prominent French family with great influence in state affairs from the 16th to 19th centuries. They produced many notable diplomats, clergymen, and peers.
Some notable members include:
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Toussaint Chauvelin A public prosecutor for parliament and then attorney general under Catherine de MĂ©dicis.
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Germain-Louis Chauvelin Served as general counsellor to parliament, keeper of the seals (minister of justice) in 1727, and then secretary of state (1727â37).
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Bernard-Louis, marquis de Chauvelin Achieved distinction as a soldier and diplomat. He became a commander of the army in Germany in 1735 and field marshal in 1745. He led diplomatic and military missions and was ambassador to Turin (1753â64).
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Bernard-François, marquis de Chauvelin Served as ambassador to London in 1792 and was later elected to the Tribunal in 1800 and the legislature in 1804.
In the novel The Scarlet Pimpernel, Citizen Chauvelin is a ruthless agent of Robespierre and the nemesis of Sir Percy Blakeney.
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When and where did the Chauvelin family become important?
The Chauvelin family rose to prominence in France between the 16th and 19th centuries, wielding considerable influence in state affairs. Toussaint Chauvelin (d. c. 1552) was the first notable member, serving as a public prosecutor for parliament and then attorney general under Catherine de MĂ©dicis. Many Chauvelins became diplomats, clergymen, and peers. Later, Germain-Louis Chauvelin (1685â1762) became keeper of the seals (minister of justice) in 1727 and then secretary of state (1727â37). The family maintained widespread political influence, with some members also known for their anti-Jesuitical writings.
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What roles did members of the Chauvelin family have in French society?
The Chauvelin family was a prominent French family that exerted considerable influence in state affairs from the 16th to 19th centuries, producing diplomats, clergymen, and peers.
Key roles held by Chauvelin family members:
* Toussaint Chauvelin Public prosecutor for parliament, attorney general
* François Chauvelin Attorney general
* Bernard Chauvelin (1662â1755) Counsellor to parliament, steward, counsellor of state
* Louis de Chauvelin Counsellor to parliament, steward
* Germain-Louis Chauvelin Keeper of the seals (minister of justice), secretary of state
* Henri-Philippe Chauvelin Abbot, counsellor to the parliament
* Bernard-Louis, marquis de Chauvelin Lieutenant in the kingâs infantry, commander of the army, field marshal, ambassador to Turin
* Bernard-François, marquis de Chauvelin Ambassador to London, member of the Tribunal and the legislature, prefect of Lys, member of the Chamber of Deputies1 Britannica SourceCreated from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles. -
Did the Chauvelin family serve in government or the military?
The Chauvelin family was a prominent French family with influence in state affairs from the 16th to 19th centuries.
Several members served in government:
* Toussaint Chauvelin was a public prosecutor and attorney general.
* François Chauvelin became attorney general.
* Bernard Chauvelin was a counsellor to parliament and counsellor of state.
* Germain-Louis Chauvelin was minister of justice and secretary of state.
* Henri-Philippe Chauvelin was a counsellor to the parliament.
* Bernard-François, marquis de Chauvelin, was an ambassador to London and was elected to the Tribunal and the legislature.Bernard-Louis, marquis de Chauvelin, distinguished himself as a soldier and diplomat, rising through the ranks to become a commander and field marshal, also leading diplomatic and military missions.
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Are there any famous individuals from the Chauvelin family?
The Chauvelin family was a prominent French family with great influence in state affairs from the 16th to 19th centuries, producing notable diplomats, clergymen, and peers.
Some famous members include:
- Toussaint Chauvelin Public prosecutor and attorney general under Catherine de MĂ©dicis
- Germain-Louis Chauvelin Keeper of the seals (minister of justice) and secretary of state under Cardinal Fleury
- Bernard-Louis, marquis de Chauvelin Achieved great distinction as a soldier and diplomat
- Bernard-François, marquis de Chauvelin Ambassador to London, outstanding orator, and known for his defense of liberalism and freedom of the press
The Chauvelin family is also listed as one of the French dynasties.
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How did the Chauvelin family influence French history or culture?
The Chauvelin family was a prominent French family that significantly influenced affairs of state from the 16th to 19th centuries, producing notable diplomats, clergymen, and peers.
Toussaint Chauvelin was a public prosecutor and attorney general, while his son François also became attorney general. Germain-Louis Chauvelin, as keeper of the seals and secretary of state, pursued an anti-Austrian policy and was a key figure in the War of Polish Succession. Henri-Philippe Chauvelin was known for his political influence and anti-Jesuitical writings. Bernard-Louis, marquis de Chauvelin, distinguished himself as a soldier and diplomat, contributing to the annexation of Corsica to France. Bernard-François, marquis de Chauvelin, embraced the Revolution, served as ambassador to London, and later became a defender of liberalism and freedom of the press.
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Chauvelin Family, prominent French family that had great influence in affairs of state from the 16th to 19th centuries and produced many notable diplomats and clergymen and several peers.
The first family member of note was Toussaint Chauvelin (d. c. 1552), who was a public prosecutor for parliament and then attorney general under Catherine de MĂ©dicis. His oldest son, François, became attorney general under Marie de MĂ©dicis. Bernard Chauvelin (1662â1755), great-grandson of Toussaint, was successively counsellor to parliament, steward of Tours, Bordeaux, and Amiens, and counsellor of state.
Louis de Chauvelin (b. 1640âd. July 31, 1719), the son of Louis Chauvelin (d. 1645), who was steward of the army of Italy, became counsellor to parliament and then steward of Picardie and Franche-ComtĂ©. At the time of his death he was counsellor of state. Germain-Louis Chauvelin (b. 1685âd. April 1, 1762) was general counsellor to parliament when he was appointed keeper of the seals (minister of justice) in 1727 and then secretary of state (1727â37) under the foreign minister Cardinal Fleury. Chauvelinâs policy was basically anti-Austrian, and the War of Polish Succession is considered largely his work. He proved himself quite capable but attracted the jealousy of Fleury, who exiled him. Henri-Philippe Chauvelin (b. April 18, 1714âd. Jan. 14, 1770), the son of Bernard, was the abbot of Montieramey and counsellor to the parliament. Along with his widespread political influence, he was known for his anti-Jesuitical writings.
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Bernard-Louis, marquis de Chauvelin (b. March 1, 1716âd. Nov. 24, 1773), was the brother of Henri-Philippe and achieved great distinction as a soldier and diplomat. In 1732 he became a lieutenant in the kingâs infantry and distinguished himself in the Italian campaign. Rising rapidly through the ranks, he became a commander of the army in Germany in 1735 and major general of infantry of the army in Italy in 1744 and fought valiantly in several campaigns until wounded. Created field marshal in 1745, he led several more diplomatic and military missions until sent as ambassador to Turin (1753â64). He took part in the Corsican campaign, which assured the annexation of that island to France.
His son, Bernard-François, marquis de Chauvelin (b. Nov. 29, 1766âd. April 9, 1832), succeeded his father as an attendant to Louis XVI. Raised with strong liberal ideals, Chauvelin welcomed the Revolution and fought with Rochambeauâs army. In 1792 he was made ambassador to London, where he succeeded in obtaining British neutrality. In spite of his efforts in its behalf, when he returned to Paris in the midst of the Terror the government imprisoned him, although he was later released. He was elected to the Tribunal in 1800 and the legislature in 1804, when Napoleon, recognizing his talents, appointed him prefect of Lys. Chauvelin carried out his duties well, instituting a great number of public works. With the Bourbon restoration, he sought to retire to private life; under the second restoration, however, he was again active in liberal politics, and in 1816 he was elected to the Chamber of Deputies. He was an outstanding orator, known for his originality and eloquence, and proved to be one of the great defenders of liberalism and freedom of the press. Although reelected in 1827, he resigned in 1829.