Jean Louis de Nogaret, I duc d'Epernon

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jean_Louis_de_Nogaret_de_La_Valette

Notes for *JEAN LOUIS DE NOGARET DE LA VALETTE:

Jean Louis de Nogaret de La Valette (1554-1642), FIRST DUKE OF EPERNON, was a powerful member of the French nobility at the turn of the 17th century. He was deeply involved in plots and politics throughout his life (allegedly, Dumas drew his inspiration for the character of D'Artagnan in The Three Musketeers from de La Valette).

He was born at Caumont in Languedoc, the son of Jean de Nogaret de La Valette and Jeanne de Saint-Lary of Bellegarde. His father and grandfather being both military men, it was natural that young Jean Louis would choose a soldier's life. He fought in the French Wars of Religion and participated in the Siege of La Rochelle (1572-1573), where he first came to the notice of the Duc d'Anjou, the future Henry III of France.

By December 1578, de Nogaret had been accepted into Henri's most intimate circle of friends (known as Les Mignons). In 1581, Henry sold him the town of Epernon, at the same time raising it to the rank of a duchy thus creating de Nogaret the first Duc d'Epernon. The new duke of Epernon was one of Henry's favourites (known as les Mignons); the king showered favours and titles upon him, among them maître de camp of the Champagne regiment (1579), Governor of Fère (1580), Colonel-general of the infantry (1581), First Gentleman of the King's Chamber (1582), Chevalier de l’Ordre du Saint-Esprit, Governor of Boulonnais, Loches, Lyon, Metz and its surrounding areas (1583), Chevalier des Ordres du roi (1584), and Governor of Provence (1586). At the death of the duc de Joyeuse (1587) he was awarded the titles of Admiral of France, Governor of Normandy, of Caen, and of Le Havre.

The line of Duchy of Epernon was specifically created for Jean Louis by the King Henry III. He had descended thur a line of Noble blood on the Valette side. The elder Duc de Epernon died in Loches which was a dilapidated royal prison. He was accused of conspiring to kill King Henry IV. This was never proven but it is known fact that his mistress gave the murderer money the day before the murder and that the Duke hid the murderer for 24 hours after the murder. His son Jean-Louis (Bernard) fled France. He had been married to the illegitimate daughter of King Henry IV. (1st wife)Gabrielle, who was legitimized the day she married Jean Louis. He left behind his two children Ann Louise who was sent to a convent, and son Louis-Charles who mysterious died.

Jean Louis and his wife Marguerite were buried at Saint-Blaise de Cadillac, Gironde. The tomb, built of marble and surmounted by a winged female figure in bronze, was inspired by the great royal tombs at Saint Denis Basilica and by the monument of Anne de Montmorency. The tomb was destroyed in 1792 and the statue, known as "La Renommée," now resides in the Louvre (other fragments of the tomb, including marble heads of the duke and duchess, are in the museum of Aquitaine, in Bordeaux).

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