Walter Montague, Abbot of St. Martins

Benedictine Abbot and royal agent. After being carefully educated in Sidney College in Cambridge, travelled into France and Italy, where he imbibed such notions of the Romish religion, as induced him to quit his native country, and retire into a monastery in France; at which time he wrote a letter, justifying the change of his religion, and was answered by Lucius, Lord Viscount Falkland, in 1635. Being of a noble family, he was soon taken notice of by Marie de Medici, the Queen mother of France, who received him into her especial favor, making him first Abbot of Nantveil, of the Benedictine order, in the diocese of Metz, and afterwards abbot of St. Martin's Abbey, near Pontoise, in the diocese of Rhoan. He was also one of her cabinet council, and the chief instrument of bringing the famous Cardinal Mazarine into her favour. He was in England in 1639, and employed by the Queen with Sir Kenelm Digby, to prevail with the papists for a liberal contribution to the King, for raising forces to repel the Scots. In 1643, he was apprehended at Rochester, coming to London with letters of consequence, and though the French ambassador demanded his enlargement, as one employed by the King of France, it was denied him, and he remained under confinement until 1647. But after two years, on a report from the council, that he was a dangerous person, the Parliament, then in being, voted that 'he should depart the nation within ten days, and not return without leave of the house, on pain of death, and confiscation of his estate'. On his return to France, Henrietta Maria, the Queen Dowager of England, made him her lord almoner, confiding in him, and the Lord Jermyn (afterwards Earl of St. Albans) more than in any other of her servants.

Family links:

Parents:

 Henry Montagu (1563 - 1642)

 Catherine Spencer Montagu (____ - 1612)

Siblings:

 Mary Montagu (____ - 1624)**

 Lucy Montagu Hare (____ - 1681)*

 Edward Montagu (1602 - 1671)*

 Walter Montagu (1603 - 1677)

 George Montagu (1622 - 1681)**

 Susannah Montagu Brydges (1624 - 1652)**

*Calculated relationship

• *Half-sibling

Burial: Hôpital des Incurables Paris City of Paris Île-de-France, France

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Created by: Todd Whitesides Record added: Sep 11, 2014 Find A Grave Memorial# 135755410

- Nancy Boldt Ogden Vicknair

Added: Sep. 11, 2014