Montesquiou family
Encyclopedia
The House of Montesquiou is the main branch of the Fezensac family, itself being a cadet branch of the House of Gascony. It is one of oldest aristocratic families in Europe
.
Montesquiou is closely related to the other branches of the bigger family, such as the families of Armagnac
, of Marsan
, and d'Artagnan
.
The Barons de Montesquiou descend from the Counts de Fezensac, themselves descendants of Garsie Sanche
(886-920) Duke of Gascony.
Eventually, the very name of Fezensac was renewed by Louis XVI in 1777 to be carried by the head of the house, which was then, as is now, represented by Montesquiou family.
Since that time the main line of the Montesquiou became known as Montesquiou-Fezensac.
The main branches of Montesquiou-Fezensac and d'Artagnan merged in the early twentieth century.
The titles of the main line are:
The branches of the family are: Montesquiou-Marsan, Montesquiou-Marsac, Montesquiou-Sainte-Colombe, Montesquiou-Montluc, Montesquiou-Lasseran-Massencomme-Montluc.
Throughout centuries, this family produced notable military leaders, ecclesiastics, as well as particularly notable men of letters.
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...
.
Montesquiou is closely related to the other branches of the bigger family, such as the families of Armagnac
House of Armagnac
The House of Armagnac, at the end of the thirteenth century, was not yet powerful enough to play a political role beyond its possessions. The House of Toulouse, which ruled over the large southwest of France, was defeated by the Capetians during the Albigensian Crusade, but local dynasties, like...
, of Marsan
Marsan
Marsan is a commune in the Gers department in southwestern France.-Population:...
, and d'Artagnan
D'Artagnan
Charles Ogier de Batz de Castelmore, Comte d'Artagnan served Louis XIV as captain of the Musketeers of the Guard and died at the Siege of Maastricht in the Franco-Dutch War. A fictionalized account of his life by Gatien de Courtilz de Sandras formed the basis for the d'Artagnan Romances of...
.
The Barons de Montesquiou descend from the Counts de Fezensac, themselves descendants of Garsie Sanche
García II Sánchez of Gascony
García II Sánchez , called the Bent, was the duke of Gascony from sometime before 887 to his death....
(886-920) Duke of Gascony.
Eventually, the very name of Fezensac was renewed by Louis XVI in 1777 to be carried by the head of the house, which was then, as is now, represented by Montesquiou family.
Since that time the main line of the Montesquiou became known as Montesquiou-Fezensac.
The main branches of Montesquiou-Fezensac and d'Artagnan merged in the early twentieth century.
The titles of the main line are:
- Baron de Montesquiou-Fézensac and Pair de France (1815, 1819 and 1824)
- Comte de Montesquiou-Fézensac and Pair de France (1817)
- Duc de Montesquiou-Fézensac and Pair de France (1821)
The branches of the family are: Montesquiou-Marsan, Montesquiou-Marsac, Montesquiou-Sainte-Colombe, Montesquiou-Montluc, Montesquiou-Lasseran-Massencomme-Montluc.
Throughout centuries, this family produced notable military leaders, ecclesiastics, as well as particularly notable men of letters.
Notable members
- Bernard de Montesquiou (+1175) Bishop of Tarbes;
- Raymond V de Montesquiou (fl.FloruitFloruit , abbreviated fl. , is a Latin verb meaning "flourished", denoting the period of time during which something was active...
1190) lord of Montesquiou, participant of the Third CrusadeThird CrusadeThe Third Crusade , also known as the Kings' Crusade, was an attempt by European leaders to reconquer the Holy Land from Saladin...
and uncle of Gerard de La Barthe, Archbishop of Auch - Pierre Cardinal de Montesquiou (+1262), Bishop of Albi;
- Pictavin Cardinal de Montesquiou (+1355/6), Bishop of Albi;
- Jean de Montesquiou de Montluc (1502–1579), Archbishop of Bordeaux;
- Pierre de Montesquiou d'ArtagnanPierre de Montesquiou d'ArtagnanPierre de Montesquiou, comte d'Artagnan and later comte de Montesquiou was a French soldier and Marshal of France....
, (1645–1725), musketeerMusketeerA musketeer was an early modern type of infantry soldier equipped with a musket. Musketeers were an important part of early modern armies, particularly in Europe. They sometimes could fight on horseback, like a dragoon or a cavalryman...
and maréchal de France; - Henri Jacques de Montesquiou de Puylobon (1710–1777), Bishop of Sarlat;
- Anne-Pierre de Montesquiou-Fézensac (1739–1798), general and politician, member of the French Academy, he joined the Third Estate during the French RevolutionFrench RevolutionThe 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...
; - François-Xavier-Marc-Antoine de Montesquiou-FézensacFrançois-Xavier-Marc-Antoine de Montesquiou-FézensacAbbé François-Xavier-Marc-Antoine de Montesquiou-Fézensac was a French politician.- Life :...
(1756–1832), French politician; - Raymond Aymeric Philippe Joseph de Montesquiou-Fezenzac, French soldier;
- Anatole de Montesquiou-Fezenzac (born in 1788), French soldier ;
- François-Xavier-Marc-Antoine de Montesquiou-FézensacFrançois-Xavier-Marc-Antoine de Montesquiou-FézensacAbbé François-Xavier-Marc-Antoine de Montesquiou-Fézensac was a French politician.- Life :...
, French priest, traveler, writer, politician, member of the French Academy; - Bertrand de Montesquiou-Fézenzac (1837–1902), French admiralAdmiralAdmiral is the rank, or part of the name of the ranks, of the highest naval officers. It is usually considered a full admiral and above vice admiral and below admiral of the fleet . It is usually abbreviated to "Adm" or "ADM"...
; - Robert de MontesquiouRobert de MontesquiouMarie Joseph Robert Anatole, comte de Montesquiou-Fézensac , was a French aesthete, Symbolist poet, art collector and dandy....
(1855–1921), writer, poet, art collector; - Léon de Montesquiou (1873–1915), essayist, French monarchist;
- Mathilde de Montesquiou-Fézenzac (1884–1960), wife of the composer Charles-Marie WidorCharles-Marie WidorCharles-Marie Jean Albert Widor was a French organist, composer and teacher.-Life:Widor was born in Lyon, to a family of organ builders, and initially studied music there with his father, François-Charles Widor, titular organist of Saint-François-de-Sales from 1838 to 1889...
; - Aymeri de MontesquiouAymeri de MontesquiouAymeri de Montesquiou is a member of the Senate of France, representing the Gers department. He is a member of the Radical Party. Since 1976, he is the mayor of Marsan.-References:*...
, contemporary French politician; - Alfred de Montesquiou, contemporary French journalist;