Louis Georges Érasme de Contades
Encyclopedia
Louis Georges Érasme de Contades (1704, Gizeux
, Anjou - 1795 Livry) was the 6th Marquis de Contades and Seigneur de Montgeoffroi. He was a Marshal of France
and a major battlefield commander during the Seven Years' War
. He notably commanded the French forces at the 1759 Battle of Minden
.
He was born to Gaspard de Contades (b.1666) and his wife Jeanne-Marie Crespin de La Chabosselaye. On 1734, he was created a Brigadier; in 1740 Maréchal de camp; and in 1745 Lieutenant Général. He took command of the French Army of Westphalia in 1758 during the Seven Years' War due to dissatisfaction with the previous commanders. He was unable to stem the French withdrawal across the Rhine, which had undone France's conquest of Hanover
. On 24 August 1758, he was created Maréchal de France. On 1 August 1759, he led the French forces at the Battle of Minden
, where they were routed. This largely halted France's offensive in Germany that year, and had wider strategic ramifications. He was subsequently relieved of his command.
About 1737, he had an affair with Marie-Hélène Moreau de Séchelles, resulting in issue:
Gizeux
Gizeux is a commune in the Indre-et-Loire department in central France....
, Anjou - 1795 Livry) was the 6th Marquis de Contades and Seigneur de Montgeoffroi. He was 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...
and a major battlefield commander during the Seven Years' War
Seven Years' War
The Seven Years' War was a global military war between 1756 and 1763, involving most of the great powers of the time and affecting Europe, North America, Central America, the West African coast, India, and the Philippines...
. He notably commanded the French forces at the 1759 Battle of Minden
Battle of Minden
The Battle of Minden—or Thonhausen—was fought on 1 August 1759, during the Seven Years' War. An army fielded by the Anglo-German alliance commanded by Field Marshal Ferdinand, Duke of Brunswick, defeated a French army commanded by Marshal of France Louis, Marquis de Contades...
.
He was born to Gaspard de Contades (b.1666) and his wife Jeanne-Marie Crespin de La Chabosselaye. On 1734, he was created a Brigadier; in 1740 Maréchal de camp; and in 1745 Lieutenant Général. He took command of the French Army of Westphalia in 1758 during the Seven Years' War due to dissatisfaction with the previous commanders. He was unable to stem the French withdrawal across the Rhine, which had undone France's conquest of Hanover
Invasion of Hanover (1757)
The Invasion of Hanover took place in 1757 during the Seven Years' War when a French army under Louis Charles César Le Tellier, duc d'Estrées advanced into Electorate of Hanover and neighbouring German states following the Battle of Hastenbeck. French forces overran most of Hanover forcing the Army...
. On 24 August 1758, he was created Maréchal de France. On 1 August 1759, he led the French forces at the Battle of Minden
Battle of Minden
The Battle of Minden—or Thonhausen—was fought on 1 August 1759, during the Seven Years' War. An army fielded by the Anglo-German alliance commanded by Field Marshal Ferdinand, Duke of Brunswick, defeated a French army commanded by Marshal of France Louis, Marquis de Contades...
, where they were routed. This largely halted France's offensive in Germany that year, and had wider strategic ramifications. He was subsequently relieved of his command.
Family
In October 1724, he married Marie-Françoise Magon, daughter of François Magon, with issue:- Françoise-Gertrude de Contades
- Georges Gaspard François Auguste Jean Baptiste de Contades (b.1726), who succeeded his father as the 7th Marquis de Contades
- Adrien-Maurice de Contades (b.1736)
About 1737, he had an affair with Marie-Hélène Moreau de Séchelles, resulting in issue:
- Jean-Baptiste Martin Hérault de Séchelles (the father of Marie-Jean Hérault de SéchellesMarie-Jean Hérault de SéchellesMarie-Jean Hérault de Séchelles was a French judge and politician who took part in the French Revolution.-Origins and early career:...
)