BLAZON OF ARMS:
SHIELD: Argent three chevronels Gules
SOURCE, NOTES & CREDITS: The Illustration for background and the text were adapted from the Wikipedia article.
Cardinal Armand Jean du Plessis, 1st Duke of Richelieu and Fronsac was born on 9 September 1585 was likely the most important and powerful French clergyman and statesman in France in the first half of the seventeenth century turning France into one of the Great Powers.
Richelieu came from a minor noble family, his father a soldier served as Grand Provost of France in the wars of religion and was rewarded for his service by Henri III with the Bishopric of Luçon. Richelieu was ordained a priest circa 1606 then nominated by Henri IV to be Bishop of Luçon. As he was under age, Richelieu traveled to Rome for a dispensation, was consecrated bishop there in 1607 and returned to his diocese in 1608.
About this time, Richelieu became a friend of François Leclerc du Tremblay (better known as “Père Joseph” or “Father Joseph”), a Capuchin friar, who would later become a close confidant. Because of his closeness to Richelieu, and the grey colour of his robes, Father Joseph was also nicknamed l’Éminence grise (“the Grey Eminence”). Later, Richelieu often used him as an agent during diplomatic negotiations.
Richelieu was made a cardinal in 1622. He served as the chief minister to King Louis XIII from 1624 until his death in 1642. He is known for centralizing royal power in France and playing a key role in the Thirty Years’ War, as well as for founding the AcadĂ©mie Française. Cardinal Richelieu who suffered from frail health throughout his life, died on 4 December 1642 at age 57.
The artwork is an interpretation of John Hamilton Gaylor.
2025 0417
dqw266@gmail.com
