Jacques Henri de Durfort de Duras
Encyclopedia
Jacques Henri de Durfort, Duke of Duras (October 9, 1625 – October 12, 1704) was marshal of France
.
His brother, Guy Aldonce de Durfort de Lorges
, was also a Marshal of France
. He served first under his uncle, Turenne, and under Condé ; he distinguished himself at Mariendal, and Alerheim.
In 1651 he followed Condé into rebellion, but came back into the service of the king in 1657, with the title of lieutenant-general. He played a major part in the conquest of Franche-Comté
; and was named by Louis XIV governor of that province and marshal in 1675. In 1689 he took part in the destruction of the Palatinate during the War of the Grand Alliance
.
He married Marguerite Félice de Lévis, daughter of Charles de Lévis, Duke of Ventadour
and Marie de La Guiche. Marguerite Félice was the sister in law of Charlotte de La Mothe Houdancourt
and aunt of the Duchess of Rohan-Rohan.
The Duc de Saint-Simon, who married his niece, speaks highly of him in his memoirs and notes that he was in such favour with Louis XIV that he " could more or less say what he pleased."
Marshal of France
The Marshal of France is a military distinction in contemporary France, not a military rank. It is granted to generals for exceptional achievements...
.
Life
Jacques Henri was the oldest son of Guy Aldonce de Durfort (1605-1665), marquis of Duras, count of Rozan and of Lorges, maréchal de camp and of Élisabeth de La Tour d'Auvergne, sister of Henri de La Tour d'Auvergne, better known as Turenne.His brother, Guy Aldonce de Durfort de Lorges
Guy Aldonce de Durfort de Lorges
Guy Aldonce de Durfort, duc de Lorges, marshal of France, , was a French nobleman and soldier.Guy Aldonce was the fourth son of Guy Aldonce de Durfort , marquis of Duras, count of Rozan and of Lorges, maréchal de camp, and Élisabeth de La Tour d'Auvergne, daughter of Henri de La Tour d'Auvergne and...
, was also a Marshal of France
Marshal of France
The Marshal of France is a military distinction in contemporary France, not a military rank. It is granted to generals for exceptional achievements...
. He served first under his uncle, Turenne, and under Condé ; he distinguished himself at Mariendal, and Alerheim.
In 1651 he followed Condé into rebellion, but came back into the service of the king in 1657, with the title of lieutenant-general. He played a major part in the conquest of Franche-Comté
Franche-Comté
Franche-Comté the former "Free County" of Burgundy, as distinct from the neighbouring Duchy, is an administrative region and a traditional province of eastern France...
; and was named by Louis XIV governor of that province and marshal in 1675. In 1689 he took part in the destruction of the Palatinate during the War of the Grand Alliance
War of the Grand Alliance
The Nine Years' War – often called the War of the Grand Alliance, the War of the Palatine Succession, or the War of the League of Augsburg – was a major war of the late 17th century fought between King Louis XIV of France, and a European-wide coalition, the Grand Alliance, led by the Anglo-Dutch...
.
He married Marguerite Félice de Lévis, daughter of Charles de Lévis, Duke of Ventadour
Duke of Ventadour
Duke of Ventadour was a noble title in the peerage of France granted to Gilbert de Lévis de Ventadour by Henry IV of France in 1589. It is named after the Château de Ventadour.-List of Dukes of Ventadour, 1589—1717:...
and Marie de La Guiche. Marguerite Félice was the sister in law of Charlotte de La Mothe Houdancourt
Madame de Ventadour
Charlotte de La Motte Houdancourt, Duchess of Ventadour was the governess of King Louis XV of France, great-grandson of King Louis XIV. She is credited with saving Louis XV from the ministrations of the royal doctors when he was ill as a child...
and aunt of the Duchess of Rohan-Rohan.
The Duc de Saint-Simon, who married his niece, speaks highly of him in his memoirs and notes that he was in such favour with Louis XIV that he " could more or less say what he pleased."