Chapter I: Front Matter

TRIPLE PORTRAIT BY PHILIPPE DE CHAMPAGNE]

CARDINAL DE RICHELIEU

BY

ELEANOR C. PRICE

AUTHOR OF “A PRINCESS OF THE OLD WORLD”

“Il est dans l’histoire de grandes et énigmatiques figures
sur lesquelles le ‘dernier mot’ ne sera peut-être jamais dit....
Telle est, assurément, celle du Cardinal de Richelieu.”

BARON A. DE MARICOURT.

WITH TWELVE ILLUSTRATIONS

SECOND EDITION

METHUEN & CO. LTD.
36 ESSEX STREET W.C.
LONDON

_First Published_ _September 19th 1912_
_Second Edition_ _1912_

INTRODUCTORY NOTE

“Temerarious indeed must he appear who attempts to comprehend in so small a space the admirable actions of a Hero who filled the whole earth with the fame of his glory, and who, by the wonders he worked in our own days, effaced the most lofty and astounding deeds of Pagan demigods and illustrious Personages of Antiquity. But what encourages me to attempt a thing so daring is the preciousness of the material with which I have to deal; being such that it needs neither the workman nor his art for the heightening of its value. So that, however little I may say of the incomparable and inimitable actions of the great Armand de Richelieu, I shall yet say much; knowing also that if I were to fill large volumes, I should still say very little.”

Although the courtly language of the Sieur de la Colombière, Gentleman-in-Ordinary to Louis XIV., who wrote a _Portrait_ of Cardinal de Richelieu some years after his death, may appear extravagant to modern minds, there is no denying that he is justified on one point--the marvellous interest of his subject.

Few harder tasks could be attempted than a complete biography of Richelieu. It would mean the history of France for more than fifty years, the history of Europe for more than twenty: even a fully equipped student might hesitate before undertaking it. At the same time, Richelieu’s personality and the times in which he lived are so rich in varied interest that even a passing glance at both may be found not unwelcome. If excuse is needed, there is that of Monsieur de la Colombière: “Pour peu que j’en parle, j’en dirai beaucoup.”

There are many good authorities for the life of Cardinal de Richelieu and for the details of his time, among which the well-known and invaluable works of M. Avenel and of the Vicomte G. d’Avenel should especially be mentioned. But any modern writer on the subject must, first and foremost, acknowledge a deep obligation to M. Hanotaux, concerning whose unfinished _Histoire du Cardinal de Richelieu_, extending down to the year 1624, one can only express the hope that its gifted author may some day find leisure and inclination to complete it.

E. C. P.

CONTENTS

List of Authorities Pages xiii, xiv

PART I

CHAPTER I

The birth of Armand Jean du Plessis de Richelieu--The position of his family--His great-uncles--His grandfather and grandmother--His father, François de Richelieu, Grand Provost of Henry III.--His mother and her family--His godfathers--The death of his father Pages 1-9

CHAPTER II

Friends and relations--The household at Richelieu--Country life in Poitou Pages 10-15

CHAPTER III

The University of Paris--The College of Navarre--The Marquis du Chillou--A change of prospect--A student of theology--The Abbé de Richelieu at Rome--His consecration Pages 16-25

PART II

CHAPTER I

A Bishop at the Sorbonne--State of France under Henry IV.--Henry IV., his Queen and his Court--The Nobles and Princes--The unhealthiness of Paris--The Bishop’s departure Pages 26-37

CHAPTER II

Richelieu arrives at Luçon--His palace and household--His work in the diocese--His friends and neighbours Pages 38-47

CHAPTER III

“Instructions et Maximes”--The death of Henry IV.--The difficult road to favour--Père Joseph and the Abbey of Fontevrault Pages 48-62

CHAPTER IV

Waiting for an opportunity--Political unrest--The States-General of 1614--The Bishop of Luçon speaks Pages 63-71

CHAPTER V

Richelieu appointed Chaplain to Queen Anne--Discontent of the Parliament and the Princes--The royal progress to the south--Treaty of Loudun--Return to Paris--Marie de Médicis and her favourites--The young King and Queen--The Duc de Luynes--Richelieu as negotiator and adviser--The death of Madame de Richelieu Pages 72-87

CHAPTER VI

A contemporary view of the state of France--Barbin, Mangot, and Richelieu--A new rebellion--Richelieu as Foreign Secretary--The Abbé de Marolles--Concini in danger--The death of Concini--The fall of the Ministry--Horrible scenes in Paris--Richelieu follows the Queen-mother into exile Pages 88-100

CHAPTER VII

Richelieu at Blois--He is ordered back to his diocese--He writes a book in defence of the Faith--Marriage of Mademoiselle de Richelieu--The Bishop exiled to Avignon--Escape of the Queen-mother from Blois--Richelieu is recalled to her service Pages 101-115

CHAPTER VIII

The Treaty of Angoulême--The death of Henry de Richelieu--The meeting at Couzières--The Queen-mother at Angers--Richelieu’s influence for peace--The battle of the Ponts-de-Cé--Intrigues of the Duc de Luynes--Marriage of Richelieu’s niece--The campaigns in Béarn and Languedoc--The death of Luynes--The Bishop of Luçon becomes a Cardinal Pages 116-130

PART III

CHAPTER I

Cardinal de Richelieu--Personal descriptions--A patron of the arts--Court intrigues--Fancan and the pamphlets--The fall of the Ministers--Cardinal de Richelieu First Minister of France Pages 131-142

CHAPTER II

Richelieu’s aims--The English alliance--The affair of the Valtelline--The Huguenot revolt--The marriage of Madame Henriette--The Duke of Buckingham Pages 143-157

CHAPTER III

Peace with Spain--The making of the army and navy--The question of Monsieur’s marriage--The first great conspiracy--Triumph of Richelieu and death of Chalais Pages 158-175

CHAPTER IV

Two famous edicts--The tragedy of Bouteville and Des Chapelles--The death of Madame and its consequences--War with England--The siege of La Rochelle Pages 176-192

CHAPTER V

The Duc de Nevers and the war of the Mantuan succession--The rebellion in Languedoc--A new Italian campaign--Richelieu as Commander-in-Chief Pages 193-206

CHAPTER VI

Illness of Louis XIII.--“Le Grand Orage de la Cour.”--The “Day of Dupes” Pages 207-216

CHAPTER VII

Flight from France of the Queen-mother and Monsieur--New honours for Cardinal de Richelieu--The fall of the Marillac brothers--The Duc de Montmorency and Monsieur’s ride to Languedoc--Castelnaudary--The death of Montmorency--Illness and recovery of the Cardinal Pages 217-233

CHAPTER VIII

The Cardinal and his palaces--The château and town of Richelieu--The Palais-Cardinal--Richelieu’s household, daily life, and friends--The Hôtel de Rambouillet--Mademoiselle de Gournay--Boisrobert and the first Academicians--Entertainments at the Palais-Cardinal--_Mirame_ Pages 234-248

CHAPTER IX

Conquests in Lorraine--The return of Monsieur--The fate of Puylaurens--France involved in the Thirty Years’ War--Last adventures of the Duc de Rohan--Defeat, invasion, and panic--The turn of the tide--Narrow escape of the Cardinal--The flight of the Princes Pages 249-262

CHAPTER X

Palace intrigues--Mademoiselle de Hautefort--Mademoiselle de la Fayette--The affair of the Val-de-Grâce--The birth of the Dauphin--The death of Père Joseph--Difficulties in the Church Pages 263-275

CHAPTER XI

Victories abroad--The death of the Comte de Soissons--Social triumphs--Marriage of the Duc d’Enghien--The revolt against the taxes--The conspiracy of Cinq-Mars--The Cardinal’s dangerous illness--He makes his will--The ruin of his enemies--His return to Paris Pages 276-290