House of Ficquelmont
Encyclopedia
Nine-century-old
high nobility Lorrainerinct family ranking among the prominent of the Holy Roman Empire
, Lorraine, Austria and Hungary, France
, Russia and Belgium.
s, the House of Ficquelmont traces its origin back to the Merovingian times
, some authors have listed its members since "Conrad de Ficquelmont, who they say lived in 781". However, the family -comital since the 14th century- is formally known since the early 12th century with the named Gerard de Ficquelmont, knight
, in the year 1130 and the complete proven genealogy begins with the descendance of Erard de Ficquelmont, knight
, before 1277. Because it is a Lorrainer family, it owns a dual nobility, both French
and German
. According to the classes of the French nobility
, it is part of both the Noblesse chevaleresque
and the Noblesse d'épée (Nobility of the Sword). According to the classes of the German nobility
, it is part of the Uradel
and Hochadle
(with the form of address Hochgeboren
).
The family's estates were originally surrounding the ancient locality of Ficquelmont where they had built a castle
, in the current French region of Lorraine
. From there the family has risen within the Lorrainer, Holy Roman, French
and Austrian
nobilities and eventually spread all across Europe
following the French Revolution
. Therefore, the ten-century-old
high nobility Lorrainer family ranks among the most prominent high nobles of the Holy Roman Empire
, Lorraine, Austria and Hungary, France
, Russia and Belgium .
of Lorraine, [where] it has long been one of the most prominent noble family due to its antiquity and alliances". Indeed, descendant from the Capetian Royal dynasty
, it is one of the oldest European continuous noble lineage as it has at been referred as part of the nobility at least at the eve of the Holy Roman Empire
.
The family members own numerous titles among which are Counts of Ficquelmont, of Parroy
, of Champcourt, of Bathelémont
, Counts of the Holy Roman Empire, Barons
in Lorraine and Knights of Lotharingia
. For centuries, members of the House of Ficquelmont had been some of the most prestigious Great Officers
of the Ducal Court of Lorraine: chamberlains
, masters of ceremonies or commanders
of the Dukes. In the 17th and 18th century were:
The Ficquelmonts, true to their knightly origin (European noblemen were originally mounted warrior
s who swore allegiance to their Sovereign
and promised to fight for him), took part of the chivalry Orders of Saint John of Jerusalem of Rhodes and of Malta, of the Golden Fleece
and of the Dragon
. They also often fought as warlords
at the service of France
, Spain and the Papacy. The perfect illustration is Count Leonard de Ficquelmont, colonel
of King Philip V of Spain
who died in 1709 during the War of the Spanish Succession
in Cataluna.
After Empress Maria Theresa of Austria
had married Emperor Francis of Lorraine
, the family enter the Austrian nobility
, serving under the rule of the Habsburg. But, by the Treaty of Vienna
, the duchy of Lorraine became part of the Kingdom of France. As member of the high nobility, the House of Ficquelmont was allowed by Royal decree to choose to serve and live as they pleased either in France or in the Empire
.
They resolutely choose France:
count Charles Henri introduced all of his children to the Sovereign
at the Royal Court of Versailles, such presentations were only granted to the members of the noblest families and therefore established the House of Ficquelmont among France's high nobility.
By 1789, the French Revolution
has started, bringing sorrow to the family. Indeed Counts of Ficquelmont, as aristocrats
, were targeted by the Revolution, several members of the family were beheaded http://books.google.fr/books?id=D5VJAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA95&lpg=PA95&dq=ficquelmont+chanoine+metz&source=bl&ots=TiIpwqex_3&sig=2_lHjtc_OL5uyqVBxkhlOqu37EA&hl=fr&ei=eCOwSurtHJed4gaC1vGsCg&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=8#v=onepage&q=ficquelmont%20chanoine%20metz&f=false and the family was divided into two main lines.
One stayed in France while the other chose to emigrate
to Austria
where it has kept close ties (for instance, Reichsgraf Charles de Ficquelmont (1724–1792), had followed Francis I of Lorraine, Holy Roman Emperor
at the Imperial Court of Vienna
when he was 12 and had stayed there ever since serving as colonel of the Imperial guard and (from 1764) Great-chamberlain
of Emperors Francis I
and Joseph II
) various estates and strong supports all the way to the Habsburg
s themselves (for instance, Archduchess Marie-Christine personnally placed count Joseph de Ficquelmont in Emperor Leopold II
's care in a letter dated from January 30, 1792). This branch took part of the counter revolutionary's Army of the Princes
and Imperial Austrian Army. It is best represented by Count Charles Louis de Ficquelmont, born in the castle of Dieuze
on March 23, 1777 and who succeed Prince Klemens von Metternich as acting Minister-President
of the Austrian Empire
and married countess Dorothea von Tiesenhausen
. Since the beginning of the 20th century the Austrian branch has no issue.
The French line is the last remaining.
Each generation of the family was distinguished by the France's highest decoration Legion of Honor - almost a unique case in the Legion's history. From that branch are Clotilde de Vaux
(1815–1846), which was made Goddess
of Wisdom of the Religion of Humanity
by philosopher Auguste Comte
; Maximilien-Marie de Ficquelmont (1815–1891), famous French mathematician
who resolved one of the most difficult problem of equational mathematics by inventing the imaginary number i
; Armand-Marie de Ficquelmont (1909–1998), French scientist whose researches helped discovering heavy water
and therefore developing nuclear physics
.
, Princes von Clary und Aldringen, Princes Kutuzov
, Princes Radziwill
, Princes of Ligne
, Counts de la Marche, Counts Butler of the Holy Roman Empire, Counts of Tiesenhausen
, House of Vaudémont, House of Choiseul
, House of Hohenzollern-Hechingen, House of Esterházy, House of Chatelet, House of Salm
, House of Chotek
and many others.
s in Venice
, Vienna
and St.Petersburg; the original family's castle
in the locality of Ficquelmont (Thumeréville
, current region of Lorraine
, France
) was burned down in 1877. However, many others estates were properties of the family over the ages including the Lorrainer château
x of Parroy
, Dieuze
(those two serving as primary homes and center of administration of the Ficquelmont family during the late 18th century), Mars la Tour, Bathelémont
, Moustier, Champcourt, Puxe
and outstanding hotel particulier
s in Nancy, Karlsruhe
, Strasbourg
and Prague
.
.
For Count
Antoine-Charles de Ficquelmont (1753–1833) and his descendants
:
Furthermore, the Ficquelmonts have been seigneur
s (lord
s) of Puxe
, Moustier, la Tour en Voivre
, Dieuze
, Champcourt and Bathelémont
.
of this family coat of arms
is: gold, three enhanced pickets gules, ensigned with a passant wolf sable.
The family's motto
is "Nul ne m'atteint" (modern French translation) (literally: "No one reaches me") meaning both "No family is more noble" and "No one could defeat me" referring to their 10-century-old noble legacy and their warlike origin.
Nobles of the Sword
The Nobles of the Sword refers to the class of traditional or old nobility in France during the Middle Ages and the Early Modern periods. This class was heir to a militaristic ideology of professional chivalry...
high nobility Lorrainerinct family ranking among the prominent of the Holy Roman Empire
Holy Roman Empire
The Holy Roman Empire was a realm that existed from 962 to 1806 in Central Europe.It was ruled by the Holy Roman Emperor. Its character changed during the Middle Ages and the Early Modern period, when the power of the emperor gradually weakened in favour of the princes...
, Lorraine, Austria and Hungary, France
Kingdom of France
The Kingdom of France was one of the most powerful states to exist in Europe during the second millennium.It originated from the Western portion of the Frankish empire, and consolidated significant power and influence over the next thousand years. Louis XIV, also known as the Sun King, developed a...
, Russia and Belgium.
Origins
According to the legendLegend
A legend is a narrative of human actions that are perceived both by teller and listeners to take place within human history and to possess certain qualities that give the tale verisimilitude...
s, the House of Ficquelmont traces its origin back to the Merovingian times
Merovingian dynasty
The Merovingians were a Salian Frankish dynasty that came to rule the Franks in a region largely corresponding to ancient Gaul from the middle of the 5th century. Their politics involved frequent civil warfare among branches of the family...
, some authors have listed its members since "Conrad de Ficquelmont, who they say lived in 781". However, the family -comital since the 14th century- is formally known since the early 12th century with the named Gerard de Ficquelmont, knight
Knight
A knight was a member of a class of lower nobility in the High Middle Ages.By the Late Middle Ages, the rank had become associated with the ideals of chivalry, a code of conduct for the perfect courtly Christian warrior....
, in the year 1130 and the complete proven genealogy begins with the descendance of Erard de Ficquelmont, knight
Knight
A knight was a member of a class of lower nobility in the High Middle Ages.By the Late Middle Ages, the rank had become associated with the ideals of chivalry, a code of conduct for the perfect courtly Christian warrior....
, before 1277. Because it is a Lorrainer family, it owns a dual nobility, both French
French nobility
The French nobility was the privileged order of France in the Middle Ages and the Early Modern periods.In the political system of the Estates General, the nobility made up the Second Estate...
and German
German nobility
The German nobility was the elite hereditary ruling class or aristocratic class from ca. 500 B.C. to the Holy Roman Empire and what is now Germany.-Principles of German nobility:...
. According to the classes of the French nobility
French nobility
The French nobility was the privileged order of France in the Middle Ages and the Early Modern periods.In the political system of the Estates General, the nobility made up the Second Estate...
, it is part of both the Noblesse chevaleresque
Immemorial nobility
Immemorial nobility is nobility that is established as existing since before normal records of noble title. In its restrictive meaning, it refers to noble families whose origins can be tracked back to the fall of the Roman Empire circa 490...
and the Noblesse d'épée (Nobility of the Sword). According to the classes of the German nobility
German nobility
The German nobility was the elite hereditary ruling class or aristocratic class from ca. 500 B.C. to the Holy Roman Empire and what is now Germany.-Principles of German nobility:...
, it is part of the Uradel
Uradel
The German and Scandinavian term Uradel refers to nobility who can trace back their noble ancestry at least to the year 1400 and probably originates from leadership positions during the Migration Period.-Divisions of German nobility:Uradel : Nobility that originates from leadership positions held...
and Hochadle
Uradel
The German and Scandinavian term Uradel refers to nobility who can trace back their noble ancestry at least to the year 1400 and probably originates from leadership positions during the Migration Period.-Divisions of German nobility:Uradel : Nobility that originates from leadership positions held...
(with the form of address Hochgeboren
Hochgeboren
Hochgeboren is a form of address for members of the highest German nobility. It translates to High Born or of High Birth.The actual address is "Euer" Hochgeboren...
).
The family's estates were originally surrounding the ancient locality of Ficquelmont where they had built a castle
Castle
A castle is a type of fortified structure built in Europe and the Middle East during the Middle Ages by European nobility. Scholars debate the scope of the word castle, but usually consider it to be the private fortified residence of a lord or noble...
, in the current French region of Lorraine
Lorraine (région)
Lorraine is one of the 27 régions of France. The administrative region has two cities of equal importance, Metz and Nancy. Metz is considered to be the official capital since that is where the regional parliament is situated...
. From there the family has risen within the Lorrainer, Holy Roman, French
French nobility
The French nobility was the privileged order of France in the Middle Ages and the Early Modern periods.In the political system of the Estates General, the nobility made up the Second Estate...
and Austrian
Austrian nobility
Historically, the Austrian nobility was a privileged social class in Austria. The nobility was officially abolished in 1919 after the fall of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Former noble families and their descendants are still a part of Austrian society today, but they no longer retain any specific...
nobilities and eventually spread all across Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
following the French Revolution
French Revolution
The French Revolution , sometimes distinguished as the 'Great French Revolution' , was a period of radical social and political upheaval in France and Europe. The absolute monarchy that had ruled France for centuries collapsed in three years...
. Therefore, the ten-century-old
Nobles of the Sword
The Nobles of the Sword refers to the class of traditional or old nobility in France during the Middle Ages and the Early Modern periods. This class was heir to a militaristic ideology of professional chivalry...
high nobility Lorrainer family ranks among the most prominent high nobles of the Holy Roman Empire
Holy Roman Empire
The Holy Roman Empire was a realm that existed from 962 to 1806 in Central Europe.It was ruled by the Holy Roman Emperor. Its character changed during the Middle Ages and the Early Modern period, when the power of the emperor gradually weakened in favour of the princes...
, Lorraine, Austria and Hungary, France
Kingdom of France
The Kingdom of France was one of the most powerful states to exist in Europe during the second millennium.It originated from the Western portion of the Frankish empire, and consolidated significant power and influence over the next thousand years. Louis XIV, also known as the Sun King, developed a...
, Russia and Belgium .
Lorraine
The House of Ficquelmont "belongs to the very ancient ChivalryChivalry
Chivalry is a term related to the medieval institution of knighthood which has an aristocratic military origin of individual training and service to others. Chivalry was also the term used to refer to a group of mounted men-at-arms as well as to martial valour...
of Lorraine, [where] it has long been one of the most prominent noble family due to its antiquity and alliances". Indeed, descendant from the Capetian Royal dynasty
Capetian dynasty
The Capetian dynasty , also known as the House of France, is the largest and oldest European royal house, consisting of the descendants of King Hugh Capet of France in the male line. Hugh Capet himself was a cognatic descendant of the Carolingians and the Merovingians, earlier rulers of France...
, it is one of the oldest European continuous noble lineage as it has at been referred as part of the nobility at least at the eve of the Holy Roman Empire
Holy Roman Empire
The Holy Roman Empire was a realm that existed from 962 to 1806 in Central Europe.It was ruled by the Holy Roman Emperor. Its character changed during the Middle Ages and the Early Modern period, when the power of the emperor gradually weakened in favour of the princes...
.
The family members own numerous titles among which are Counts of Ficquelmont, of Parroy
Parroy
Parroy is a commune in the Meurthe-et-Moselle department in north-eastern France....
, of Champcourt, of Bathelémont
Bathelémont-lès-Bauzemont
Bathelémont-lès-Bauzemont is a commune in the Meurthe-et-Moselle department in north-eastern France.Near Bathelémont is a memorial to the first three U.S. soldiers killed in action in France in World War I. The three men, James Gresham, Thomas Enright, and Merle Hay, of the 16th Infantry, 1st...
, Counts of the Holy Roman Empire, Barons
Lord
Lord is a title with various meanings. It can denote a prince or a feudal superior . The title today is mostly used in connection with the peerage of the United Kingdom or its predecessor countries, although some users of the title do not themselves hold peerages, and use it 'by courtesy'...
in Lorraine and Knights of Lotharingia
Lotharingia
Lotharingia was a region in northwest Europe, comprising the Low Countries, the western Rhineland, the lands today on the border between France and Germany, and what is now western Switzerland. It was born of the tripartite division in 855, of the kingdom of Middle Francia, itself formed of the...
. For centuries, members of the House of Ficquelmont had been some of the most prestigious Great Officers
Great Officer of State (disambiguation)
Great Officer of State stands for one of several positions:*Great Officers of State in England*Great Officers of the Crown of France*Great Officers of the Swedish Realm...
of the Ducal Court of Lorraine: chamberlains
Chamberlain (office)
A chamberlain is an officer in charge of managing a household. In many countries there are ceremonial posts associated with the household of the sovereign....
, masters of ceremonies or commanders
Commandant
Commandant is a senior title often given to the officer in charge of a large training establishment or academy. This usage is common in anglophone nations...
of the Dukes. In the 17th and 18th century were:
- CountCountA count or countess is an aristocratic nobleman in European countries. The word count came into English from the French comte, itself from Latin comes—in its accusative comitem—meaning "companion", and later "companion of the emperor, delegate of the emperor". The adjective form of the word is...
Leonard de Ficquelmont colonelColonelColonel , abbreviated Col or COL, is a military rank of a senior commissioned officer. It or a corresponding rank exists in most armies and in many air forces; the naval equivalent rank is generally "Captain". It is also used in some police forces and other paramilitary rank structures...
of Charles IV, Duke of LorraineCharles IV, Duke of LorraineCharles IV was Duke of Lorraine from 1624 to 1634, when he abdicated under French pressure in favor of his younger brother, and again from 1661 until 1675.- Biography :...
, commanding the prestigious Blainville regiment - CountCountA count or countess is an aristocratic nobleman in European countries. The word count came into English from the French comte, itself from Latin comes—in its accusative comitem—meaning "companion", and later "companion of the emperor, delegate of the emperor". The adjective form of the word is...
Robert de Ficquelmont, Great-chamberlainChamberlain (office)A chamberlain is an officer in charge of managing a household. In many countries there are ceremonial posts associated with the household of the sovereign....
of Charles III, Duke of LorraineCharles III, Duke of LorraineCharles III , known as the Great, was Duke of Lorraine from 1545 until his death.-History:He was the eldest surviving son of Francis I, Duke of Lorraine, and Christina of Denmark... - his grand-son, countCountA count or countess is an aristocratic nobleman in European countries. The word count came into English from the French comte, itself from Latin comes—in its accusative comitem—meaning "companion", and later "companion of the emperor, delegate of the emperor". The adjective form of the word is...
Jean-François de Ficquelmont, Great-chamberlainChamberlain (office)A chamberlain is an officer in charge of managing a household. In many countries there are ceremonial posts associated with the household of the sovereign....
and colonelColonelColonel , abbreviated Col or COL, is a military rank of a senior commissioned officer. It or a corresponding rank exists in most armies and in many air forces; the naval equivalent rank is generally "Captain". It is also used in some police forces and other paramilitary rank structures...
of the guard of Leopold I, Duke of Lorraine, commanding the dukal cavalryLight cavalryLight cavalry refers to lightly armed and lightly armored troops mounted on horses, as opposed to heavy cavalry, where the riders are heavily armored... - his son, Reichsgraf Charles de Ficquelmont Great-chamberlainChamberlain (office)A chamberlain is an officer in charge of managing a household. In many countries there are ceremonial posts associated with the household of the sovereign....
of Francis I of Lorraine, Holy Roman EmperorFrancis I, Holy Roman EmperorFrancis I was Holy Roman Emperor and Grand Duke of Tuscany, though his wife effectively executed the real power of those positions. With his wife, Maria Theresa, he was the founder of the Habsburg-Lorraine dynasty...
, colonel of HIMImperial Majesty (style)Imperial Majesty is a style used by Emperors and Empresses. The style is used to distinguish the status of an emperor/empress from that of a king/queen, who are simply styled Majesty or Royal Majesty...
's cuirassiers commanding the imperial guard's cavalryLight cavalryLight cavalry refers to lightly armed and lightly armored troops mounted on horses, as opposed to heavy cavalry, where the riders are heavily armored... - his son, Reichsgraf Jacques-Charles de Ficquelmont, colonel of the guard and Great-chamberlainChamberlain (office)A chamberlain is an officer in charge of managing a household. In many countries there are ceremonial posts associated with the household of the sovereign....
of Francis I of Lorraine, Holy Roman EmperorFrancis I, Holy Roman EmperorFrancis I was Holy Roman Emperor and Grand Duke of Tuscany, though his wife effectively executed the real power of those positions. With his wife, Maria Theresa, he was the founder of the Habsburg-Lorraine dynasty...
, commanding the cavalry regiment of KalchreuthKalchreuthKalchreuth is a village in the district of Erlangen-Höchstadt, in Bavaria, Germany....
then of ThunThunThun is a municipality in the administrative district of Thun in the canton of Bern in Switzerland with about 42,136 inhabitants , as of 1 January 2006....
.
The Ficquelmonts, true to their knightly origin (European noblemen were originally mounted warrior
Warrior
A warrior is a person skilled in combat or warfare, especially within the context of a tribal or clan-based society that recognizes a separate warrior class.-Warrior classes in tribal culture:...
s who swore allegiance to their Sovereign
Sovereign
A sovereign is the supreme lawmaking authority within its jurisdiction.Sovereign may also refer to:*Monarch, the sovereign of a monarchy*Sovereign Bank, banking institution in the United States*Sovereign...
and promised to fight for him), took part of the chivalry Orders of Saint John of Jerusalem of Rhodes and of Malta, of the Golden Fleece
Order of the Golden Fleece
The Order of the Golden Fleece is an order of chivalry founded in Bruges by Philip III, Duke of Burgundy in 1430, to celebrate his marriage to the Portuguese princess Infanta Isabella of Portugal, daughter of King John I of Portugal. It evolved as one of the most prestigious orders in Europe...
and of the Dragon
Order of the Dragon
The Order of the Dragon was a monarchical chivalric order for selected nobility,founded in 1408 by Sigismund, King of Hungary and later Holy Roman Emperor The Order of the Dragon (Latin Societas Draconistrarum) was a monarchical chivalric order for selected nobility,founded in 1408 by Sigismund,...
. They also often fought as warlords
Warlords
Warlords may refer to:* The plural of warlord, a name for a figure who has military authority but not legal authority over a subnational region.* "WARLORDS", the call sign of a United States Navy Helicopter squadron based in Ayase city, Japan....
at the service of France
Kingdom of France
The Kingdom of France was one of the most powerful states to exist in Europe during the second millennium.It originated from the Western portion of the Frankish empire, and consolidated significant power and influence over the next thousand years. Louis XIV, also known as the Sun King, developed a...
, Spain and the Papacy. The perfect illustration is Count Leonard de Ficquelmont, colonel
Colonel
Colonel , abbreviated Col or COL, is a military rank of a senior commissioned officer. It or a corresponding rank exists in most armies and in many air forces; the naval equivalent rank is generally "Captain". It is also used in some police forces and other paramilitary rank structures...
of King Philip V of Spain
Philip V of Spain
Philip V was King of Spain from 15 November 1700 to 15 January 1724, when he abdicated in favor of his son Louis, and from 6 September 1724, when he assumed the throne again upon his son's death, to his death.Before his reign, Philip occupied an exalted place in the royal family of France as a...
who died in 1709 during the War of the Spanish Succession
War of the Spanish Succession
The War of the Spanish Succession was fought among several European powers, including a divided Spain, over the possible unification of the Kingdoms of Spain and France under one Bourbon monarch. As France and Spain were among the most powerful states of Europe, such a unification would have...
in Cataluna.
After Empress Maria Theresa of Austria
Maria Theresa of Austria
Maria Theresa Walburga Amalia Christina was the only female ruler of the Habsburg dominions and the last of the House of Habsburg. She was the sovereign of Austria, Hungary, Croatia, Bohemia, Mantua, Milan, Lodomeria and Galicia, the Austrian Netherlands and Parma...
had married Emperor Francis of Lorraine
Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor
Francis I was Holy Roman Emperor and Grand Duke of Tuscany, though his wife effectively executed the real power of those positions. With his wife, Maria Theresa, he was the founder of the Habsburg-Lorraine dynasty...
, the family enter the Austrian nobility
Austrian nobility
Historically, the Austrian nobility was a privileged social class in Austria. The nobility was officially abolished in 1919 after the fall of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Former noble families and their descendants are still a part of Austrian society today, but they no longer retain any specific...
, serving under the rule of the Habsburg. But, by the Treaty of Vienna
Treaty of Vienna (1738)
The Treaty of Vienna or Peace of Vienna was signed on November 18, 1738. It ended the War of the Polish Succession. By the terms of the treaty, Stanisław Leszczyński renounced his claim on the Polish throne and recognized Augustus III, Duke of Saxony. As compensation he received instead the...
, the duchy of Lorraine became part of the Kingdom of France. As member of the high nobility, the House of Ficquelmont was allowed by Royal decree to choose to serve and live as they pleased either in France or in the Empire
Holy Roman Empire
The Holy Roman Empire was a realm that existed from 962 to 1806 in Central Europe.It was ruled by the Holy Roman Emperor. Its character changed during the Middle Ages and the Early Modern period, when the power of the emperor gradually weakened in favour of the princes...
.
France and Austria
count Charles Henri introduced all of his children to the Sovereign
Honneurs de la Cour
The Honneurs de la Cour were ceremonious presentations to the sovereign at the Royal Court of France which were formal for women but more casual for men. It was a very prestigious honour only granted to the families of ancient nobility...
at the Royal Court of Versailles, such presentations were only granted to the members of the noblest families and therefore established the House of Ficquelmont among France's high nobility.
By 1789, the French Revolution
French Revolution
The French Revolution , sometimes distinguished as the 'Great French Revolution' , was a period of radical social and political upheaval in France and Europe. The absolute monarchy that had ruled France for centuries collapsed in three years...
has started, bringing sorrow to the family. Indeed Counts of Ficquelmont, as aristocrats
Aristocracy (class)
The aristocracy are people considered to be in the highest social class in a society which has or once had a political system of Aristocracy. Aristocrats possess hereditary titles granted by a monarch, which once granted them feudal or legal privileges, or deriving, as in Ancient Greece and India,...
, were targeted by the Revolution, several members of the family were beheaded http://books.google.fr/books?id=D5VJAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA95&lpg=PA95&dq=ficquelmont+chanoine+metz&source=bl&ots=TiIpwqex_3&sig=2_lHjtc_OL5uyqVBxkhlOqu37EA&hl=fr&ei=eCOwSurtHJed4gaC1vGsCg&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=8#v=onepage&q=ficquelmont%20chanoine%20metz&f=false and the family was divided into two main lines.
One stayed in France while the other chose to emigrate
Émigré
Émigré is a French term that literally refers to a person who has "migrated out", but often carries a connotation of politico-social self-exile....
to Austria
Austrian Empire
The Austrian Empire was a modern era successor empire, which was centered on what is today's Austria and which officially lasted from 1804 to 1867. It was followed by the Empire of Austria-Hungary, whose proclamation was a diplomatic move that elevated Hungary's status within the Austrian Empire...
where it has kept close ties (for instance, Reichsgraf Charles de Ficquelmont (1724–1792), had followed Francis I of Lorraine, Holy Roman Emperor
Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor
Francis I was Holy Roman Emperor and Grand Duke of Tuscany, though his wife effectively executed the real power of those positions. With his wife, Maria Theresa, he was the founder of the Habsburg-Lorraine dynasty...
at the Imperial Court of Vienna
Vienna
Vienna is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Austria and one of the nine states of Austria. Vienna is Austria's primary city, with a population of about 1.723 million , and is by far the largest city in Austria, as well as its cultural, economic, and political centre...
when he was 12 and had stayed there ever since serving as colonel of the Imperial guard and (from 1764) Great-chamberlain
Chamberlain (office)
A chamberlain is an officer in charge of managing a household. In many countries there are ceremonial posts associated with the household of the sovereign....
of Emperors Francis I
Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor
Francis I was Holy Roman Emperor and Grand Duke of Tuscany, though his wife effectively executed the real power of those positions. With his wife, Maria Theresa, he was the founder of the Habsburg-Lorraine dynasty...
and Joseph II
Joseph II, Holy Roman Emperor
Joseph II was Holy Roman Emperor from 1765 to 1790 and ruler of the Habsburg lands from 1780 to 1790. He was the eldest son of Empress Maria Theresa and her husband, Francis I...
) various estates and strong supports all the way to the Habsburg
Habsburg
The House of Habsburg , also found as Hapsburg, and also known as House of Austria is one of the most important royal houses of Europe and is best known for being an origin of all of the formally elected Holy Roman Emperors between 1438 and 1740, as well as rulers of the Austrian Empire and...
s themselves (for instance, Archduchess Marie-Christine personnally placed count Joseph de Ficquelmont in Emperor Leopold II
Leopold II, Holy Roman Emperor
Leopold II , born Peter Leopold Joseph Anton Joachim Pius Gotthard, was Holy Roman Emperor and King of Hungary and Bohemia from 1790 to 1792, Archduke of Austria and Grand Duke of Tuscany from 1765 to 1790. He was a son of Emperor Francis I and his wife, Empress Maria Theresa...
's care in a letter dated from January 30, 1792). This branch took part of the counter revolutionary's Army of the Princes
Émigré armies of the French Revolutionary Wars
The émigré armies of the French Revolutionary Wars were armies raised outside of France by and out of Royalist émigrés, with the aim of overthrowing the French Revolution, reconquering France and restoring the monarchy. These were aided by royalist armies within France itself, such as the Chouans,...
and Imperial Austrian Army. It is best represented by Count Charles Louis de Ficquelmont, born in the castle of Dieuze
Dieuze
Dieuze is a commune in the Moselle department in Lorraine in north-eastern France.-People:Dieuze was the birthplace of:*Charles Hermite, mathematician*Edmond François Valentin About, novelist, publicist and journalist*Émile Friant, painter...
on March 23, 1777 and who succeed Prince Klemens von Metternich as acting Minister-President
Prime minister
A prime minister is the most senior minister of cabinet in the executive branch of government in a parliamentary system. In many systems, the prime minister selects and may dismiss other members of the cabinet, and allocates posts to members within the government. In most systems, the prime...
of the Austrian Empire
Austrian Empire
The Austrian Empire was a modern era successor empire, which was centered on what is today's Austria and which officially lasted from 1804 to 1867. It was followed by the Empire of Austria-Hungary, whose proclamation was a diplomatic move that elevated Hungary's status within the Austrian Empire...
and married countess Dorothea von Tiesenhausen
Dorothea de Ficquelmont
Countess Dolly de Ficquelmont, born Countess Dorothea von Tiesenhausen was a Russian writer and salonist...
. Since the beginning of the 20th century the Austrian branch has no issue.
The French line is the last remaining.
Each generation of the family was distinguished by the France's highest decoration Legion of Honor - almost a unique case in the Legion's history. From that branch are Clotilde de Vaux
Clotilde de Vaux
Clotilde de Vaux, was born Clotilde-Marie de Ficquelmont on April 3, 1815 in Paris, France and died on April 5, 1846 in Paris, France. She gave philosopher Auguste Comte the inspiration for the « Religion of Humanity ».- Biography :...
(1815–1846), which was made Goddess
Goddess
A goddess is a female deity. In some cultures goddesses are associated with Earth, motherhood, love, and the household. In other cultures, goddesses also rule over war, death, and destruction as well as healing....
of Wisdom of the Religion of Humanity
Religion of Humanity
Religion of Humanity was a secular religion created by Auguste Comte, the founder of positivist philosophy. Adherents of this religion have built chapels of Humanity in France and Brazil.-Origins:...
by philosopher Auguste Comte
Auguste Comte
Isidore Auguste Marie François Xavier Comte , better known as Auguste Comte , was a French philosopher, a founder of the discipline of sociology and of the doctrine of positivism...
; Maximilien-Marie de Ficquelmont (1815–1891), famous French mathematician
Mathematician
A mathematician is a person whose primary area of study is the field of mathematics. Mathematicians are concerned with quantity, structure, space, and change....
who resolved one of the most difficult problem of equational mathematics by inventing the imaginary number i
Imaginary unit
In mathematics, the imaginary unit allows the real number system ℝ to be extended to the complex number system ℂ, which in turn provides at least one root for every polynomial . The imaginary unit is denoted by , , or the Greek...
; Armand-Marie de Ficquelmont (1909–1998), French scientist whose researches helped discovering heavy water
Heavy water
Heavy water is water highly enriched in the hydrogen isotope deuterium; e.g., heavy water used in CANDU reactors is 99.75% enriched by hydrogen atom-fraction...
and therefore developing nuclear physics
Nuclear physics
Nuclear physics is the field of physics that studies the building blocks and interactions of atomic nuclei. The most commonly known applications of nuclear physics are nuclear power generation and nuclear weapons technology, but the research has provided application in many fields, including those...
.
Marriages and residences
Marriages
The family is tied to Princes of HaraucourtHaraucourt
Haraucourt may refer to the following communes in France:* Haraucourt, Ardennes, in the Ardennes department* Haraucourt, Meurthe-et-Moselle, in the Meurthe-et-Moselle department* Haraucourt-sur-Seille, in the Moselle department...
, Princes von Clary und Aldringen, Princes Kutuzov
Kutuzov
Kutuzov may refer to:* Mikhail Kutuzov, Russian field marshal during Napoleonic era* Named after Mikhail Kutuzov** Order of Kutuzov, military award** Kutuzov Embankment, embankment and street** Operation Kutuzov, military operation in WWII...
, Princes Radziwill
Radziwill
The Radziwiłł family is an noble family of Lithuanian origin. The descendants of Kristinas Astikas, a close associate of the 14th century Lithuanian ruler Vytautas, were highly prominent for centuries, first in the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, later in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth and the...
, Princes of Ligne
Prince of Ligne
Prince of Ligne is one of the most prestigious Belgian noble titles. It goes back to the eleventh century and owes its name at the village in which it originated, between Ath and Tournai. The lords of Ligne belong to the entourage of the Count of Hainaut at the time of the crusades...
, Counts de la Marche, Counts Butler of the Holy Roman Empire, Counts of Tiesenhausen
Tiesenhausen
Tiesenhausen is the name of a Baltic German nobility family. The origins of the family are in Lower Saxony. During the Baltic crusades they settled in Livonia in the first half of the 12th century where they became one of the wealthiest and most important noble lineages between the 14th and 16th...
, House of Vaudémont, House of Choiseul
Choiseul (surname)
Choiseul is an illustrious family from Champagne, France, descendents of the comtes of Langres. The family's head was Renaud III de Choiseul, comte de Langres and sire de Choiseul, who in 1182 married Alix de Dreux, daughter of Louis VI of France. It has formed into the Langres, Clémont,...
, House of Hohenzollern-Hechingen, House of Esterházy, House of Chatelet, House of Salm
House of Salm
The House of Salm was a noble family originating in the Belgian Ardennes and ruling Salm. It is above all known for the experiences of the branch which came to be located in the Vosges Mountains and over time came to rule over a principality whose capital was Badonviller then Senones.Its notable...
, House of Chotek
Chotek family
The Chotek family was an aristocratic family from Bohemia. When this and other Bohemian noble families' surnames and/or territorial suffixes are translated from the Czech language, particules and conjunctions are usually translated into German, rather than into English..The family is first...
and many others.
Residences
There are Ficquelmont palacePalace
A palace is a grand residence, especially a royal residence or the home of a head of state or some other high-ranking dignitary, such as a bishop or archbishop. The word itself is derived from the Latin name Palātium, for Palatine Hill, one of the seven hills in Rome. In many parts of Europe, the...
s in Venice
Venice
Venice is a city in northern Italy which is renowned for the beauty of its setting, its architecture and its artworks. It is the capital of the Veneto region...
, Vienna
Vienna
Vienna is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Austria and one of the nine states of Austria. Vienna is Austria's primary city, with a population of about 1.723 million , and is by far the largest city in Austria, as well as its cultural, economic, and political centre...
and St.Petersburg; the original family's castle
Castle
A castle is a type of fortified structure built in Europe and the Middle East during the Middle Ages by European nobility. Scholars debate the scope of the word castle, but usually consider it to be the private fortified residence of a lord or noble...
in the locality of Ficquelmont (Thumeréville
Thumeréville
Thumeréville is a commune in the Meurthe-et-Moselle department in north-eastern France.-See also:*Communes of the Meurthe-et-Moselle department...
, current region of Lorraine
Lorraine (région)
Lorraine is one of the 27 régions of France. The administrative region has two cities of equal importance, Metz and Nancy. Metz is considered to be the official capital since that is where the regional parliament is situated...
, France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
) was burned down in 1877. However, many others estates were properties of the family over the ages including the Lorrainer château
Château
A château is a manor house or residence of the lord of the manor or a country house of nobility or gentry, with or without fortifications, originally—and still most frequently—in French-speaking regions...
x of Parroy
Parroy
Parroy is a commune in the Meurthe-et-Moselle department in north-eastern France....
, Dieuze
Dieuze
Dieuze is a commune in the Moselle department in Lorraine in north-eastern France.-People:Dieuze was the birthplace of:*Charles Hermite, mathematician*Edmond François Valentin About, novelist, publicist and journalist*Émile Friant, painter...
(those two serving as primary homes and center of administration of the Ficquelmont family during the late 18th century), Mars la Tour, Bathelémont
Bathelémont-lès-Bauzemont
Bathelémont-lès-Bauzemont is a commune in the Meurthe-et-Moselle department in north-eastern France.Near Bathelémont is a memorial to the first three U.S. soldiers killed in action in France in World War I. The three men, James Gresham, Thomas Enright, and Merle Hay, of the 16th Infantry, 1st...
, Moustier, Champcourt, Puxe
Puxe
Puxe is a commune in the Meurthe-et-Moselle department in north-eastern France....
and outstanding hotel particulier
Hôtel particulier
In French contexts an hôtel particulier is an urban "private house" of a grand sort. Whereas an ordinary maison was built as part of a row, sharing party walls with the houses on either side and directly fronting on a street, an hôtel particulier was often free-standing, and by the 18th century it...
s in Nancy, Karlsruhe
Karlsruhe
The City of Karlsruhe is a city in the southwest of Germany, in the state of Baden-Württemberg, located near the French-German border.Karlsruhe was founded in 1715 as Karlsruhe Palace, when Germany was a series of principalities and city states...
, Strasbourg
Strasbourg
Strasbourg is the capital and principal city of the Alsace region in eastern France and is the official seat of the European Parliament. Located close to the border with Germany, it is the capital of the Bas-Rhin département. The city and the region of Alsace are historically German-speaking,...
and Prague
Prague
Prague is the capital and largest city of the Czech Republic. Situated in the north-west of the country on the Vltava river, the city is home to about 1.3 million people, while its metropolitan area is estimated to have a population of over 2.3 million...
.
Titles and Blazon
Titles
The Ficquelmont family is comital since the 14th century and has been raised to Counts of the Holy Roman Empire with the style of address of Erlaucht (Illustrious Highness) in the 18th century by Francis I of Lorraine, Holy Roman EmperorFrancis I, Holy Roman Emperor
Francis I was Holy Roman Emperor and Grand Duke of Tuscany, though his wife effectively executed the real power of those positions. With his wife, Maria Theresa, he was the founder of the Habsburg-Lorraine dynasty...
.
- LordLordLord is a title with various meanings. It can denote a prince or a feudal superior . The title today is mostly used in connection with the peerage of the United Kingdom or its predecessor countries, although some users of the title do not themselves hold peerages, and use it 'by courtesy'...
s of Ficquelmont and hereditary knights of Lorraine (known before 1130); - Counts of Mars la Tour (1473);
- Counts of ChaumontChaumont-France:* Chaumont-Porcien, in the Ardennes département* Chaumont, Cher, in the Cher département* Chaumont-le-Bois, in the Côte-d'Or département* Arrondissement of Chaumont, in the Haute-Marne département...
(1605); - Counts of ParroyParroyParroy is a commune in the Meurthe-et-Moselle department in north-eastern France....
(1709); - Counts of Ficquelmont (1710);
- Counts of Ficquelmont and of the Holy Roman Empire (1736).
For Count
Count
A count or countess is an aristocratic nobleman in European countries. The word count came into English from the French comte, itself from Latin comes—in its accusative comitem—meaning "companion", and later "companion of the emperor, delegate of the emperor". The adjective form of the word is...
Antoine-Charles de Ficquelmont (1753–1833) and his descendants
Lineal descendant
A lineal descendant, in legal usage, refers to a blood relative in the direct line of descent. The children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, etc...
:
- Counts of Ficquelmont (Title recreated within the Dutch nobility July 16, 1822) ;
- Counts of Ficquelmont de VyleHuyHuy is a municipality of Belgium. It lies in the country's Walloon Region and Province of Liege. Huy lies along the river Meuse, at the mouth of the small river Hoyoux. It is in the sillon industriel, the former industrial backbone of Wallonia, home to about two-thirds of the Walloon population...
when became BelgianBelgian nobilityIn the Kingdom of Belgium there are at the moment approximately 1,300 noble families. Some 20,000 individuals are titled. The noble lineage of only ca. 400 families dates back to the 17th century. As Belgium is a democratic constitutional monarchy there are no legal privileges attached to bearing a...
after the 1830's Revolution; became extinct in male line in 1909; used as a courtesy title (France and Belgium).
- Counts of Ficquelmont de Vyle
Furthermore, the Ficquelmonts have been seigneur
Seigneur
Seigneur may refer to:* The possessor of a seigneurie in medieval feudal or manorial systems.* The Seigneurial system of New France* The hereditary feudal ruler of the island of Sark, see also List of Seigneurs of Sark...
s (lord
Lord
Lord is a title with various meanings. It can denote a prince or a feudal superior . The title today is mostly used in connection with the peerage of the United Kingdom or its predecessor countries, although some users of the title do not themselves hold peerages, and use it 'by courtesy'...
s) of Puxe
Puxe
Puxe is a commune in the Meurthe-et-Moselle department in north-eastern France....
, Moustier, la Tour en Voivre
La Tour
-France:Several communes in France:* La Tour, Alpes-Maritimes, in the Alpes-Maritimes département* La Tour, Haute-Savoie, in the Haute-Savoie département* La Tour-Blanche, in the Dordogne département* La Tour-d'Aigues, in the Vaucluse département...
, Dieuze
Dieuze
Dieuze is a commune in the Moselle department in Lorraine in north-eastern France.-People:Dieuze was the birthplace of:*Charles Hermite, mathematician*Edmond François Valentin About, novelist, publicist and journalist*Émile Friant, painter...
, Champcourt and Bathelémont
Bathelémont-lès-Bauzemont
Bathelémont-lès-Bauzemont is a commune in the Meurthe-et-Moselle department in north-eastern France.Near Bathelémont is a memorial to the first three U.S. soldiers killed in action in France in World War I. The three men, James Gresham, Thomas Enright, and Merle Hay, of the 16th Infantry, 1st...
.
Coat of Arms
The blazonBlazon
In heraldry and heraldic vexillology, a blazon is a formal description of a coat of arms, flag or similar emblem, from which the reader can reconstruct the appropriate image...
of this family coat of arms
Coat of arms
A coat of arms is a unique heraldic design on a shield or escutcheon or on a surcoat or tabard used to cover and protect armour and to identify the wearer. Thus the term is often stated as "coat-armour", because it was anciently displayed on the front of a coat of cloth...
is: gold, three enhanced pickets gules, ensigned with a passant wolf sable.
The family's motto
Motto
A motto is a phrase meant to formally summarize the general motivation or intention of a social group or organization. A motto may be in any language, but Latin is the most used. The local language is usual in the mottoes of governments...
is "Nul ne m'atteint" (modern French translation) (literally: "No one reaches me") meaning both "No family is more noble" and "No one could defeat me" referring to their 10-century-old noble legacy and their warlike origin.
Sources
- Alain Petiot, Au service des Habsburg, 1999
- Alain Petiot, Les Lorrains et l'Empire, 2005
- The French Nobility Book: Régis Valette, Catalogue de la noblesse française (Robert Laffont, Paris, 2007)
- Jougla de Morénas, Grand armorial de France, n° 15355
- Woelmont de Brumagne, Notices généalogiques, 7e série, p. 340.
- Poplimont, La Belgique héraldique: recueil historique, chronologique, généalogique et biographique..., t. IV, Paris : 1866.