Bassompierre, François, Baron De

Related Category: French History: Biographies

(fräNswä´ bärôN´ də bäsôNpyĕr´), 1579–1646, marshal of France. Under King Henry IV he distinguished himself in the army and as a courtier, and after Henry's death he remained loyal to the queen, Marie de' Medici, during her regency. Subsequently he was ambassador to Spain, to England, and to Switzerland, and he fought against the Huguenots in 1621–22 and 1627–28. Because of his opposition to Cardinal Richelieu and his alleged part in an intrigue he was imprisoned (1631) in the Bastille until after the cardinal's death (1643). During his captivity he wrote valuable memoirs.