Montmorency

Montmorency, ANNE, first DUC DE, Marshal and Constable of France, born 15th March 1492, belonged to one of the oldest and greatest of the noble families of France. Brought up along with Francis I., he distinguished himself by his gallantry and military skill at Marignano (1515) and in the defence of Mézières, and was taken prisoner along with his sovereign in the battle of Pavia (1525). In consequence of his efforts to win his master freedom, and his successful warring against the emperor's armies, he was made Constable in 1538; but, being suspected by the king of siding with the Dauphin against him, he was banished from court in 1541. On the accession of Henry II. (1547) he was restored to his former position and dignities. In 1557 he commanded the French army which suffered the terrible defeat of St Quentin at the hands of the Spaniards, in which he was again taken prisoner. During the minority of Charles IX. Montmorency, with the Duke of Guise and the Marshal St André, composed the triumvirate which opposed the influence of Catharine de' Medici. In 1562 he commanded the royal army against the Huguenots at Dreux, and was taken prisoner a third time. In the following year he drove the English out of Havre. He again engaged Condé at St Denis (1567), but received a fatal wound, of which he died at Paris on the following day, 11th November 1567. See Life by Decrue (2 vols. Paris, 1885-89).