Philip Julian Mancini
Encyclopedia
Philippe Jules Mancini Duke of Nevers, was the nephew of Cardinal Mazarin, chief minister of France immediately after the death of King Louis XIII. He was the brother of the five famous Mancini sisters, who along with two of their female Martinozzi cousins, were known at the court of King Louis XIV of France
as the Mazarinettes
.
, an Italian aristocrat who was also a necromancer
and astrologer
. After his father's death in 1650, his mother, Geronima
, brought her family from Rome to Paris
in the hope of using the influence of her brother, Cardinal Mazarin, to gain them advantageous marriages. Philippe's five famous sisters were:
Philippe's cousins, the Martinozzis, also moved to France at the same time, for the same goal (to marry well). The elder, Laura
, married Alfonso IV d'Este
, duke of Modena and became the mother of Mary of Modena
, second wife of James II of England
. The younger, Anne Marie Martinozzi
, married Armand de Bourbon, prince de Conti
.
He also had two brothers: Paul and Alphonse.
, the young king's mother, Anne of Austria
, and chief minister, Cardinal Mazarin, decided to protect the future king by making sure that his younger brother, the duc d'Anjou
, had no part in any political or military office. During his youth, Anjou's behavior was closely watched by dowager queen and her advisor, who made sure that the young duke had no meaningful financial freedom from the Crown. His income was to be derived solely from his appanage
.
The queen and Mazarin discouraged the duc d'Anjou from traditional manly pursuits such as arms
and politics, and encouraged him to wear dresses, makeup, and to enjoy feminine behaviour. His inclination toward homosexuality
was not discouraged, with the hope of reducing any threat he may have posed to his older brother. Reportedly, Cardinal Mazarin even commandeered his nephew, Philippe, to de-flower the king's younger brother..
In 1657, Cardinal Mazarin re-established the Mousquetaires du Roi, a military unit later immortalized by Alexandre Dumas, père
in his story of The Three Musketeers
. Philippe was awarded the position of leader of the corps as a captain-lieutenant. In 1661, after the Cardinal's death, jurisdiction over the musketeers passed to Louis XIV. He replaced Philippe in 1667 with Charles de Batz-Castelmore, comte d'Artagnan
. The comte had been in actual control of the unit since joining in 1658, as Philippe was not interested in war and rarely accompanied the musketeers in battle.
As a young man, Philippe frequented the salon
of Paul Scarron
. Scarron's young wife, the future Madame de Maintenon, became friends with Philippe's sister Marie Mancini
. In 1660, Philippe was nominated to be duc de Nevers and Donzy by his uncle, Cardinal Mazarin, with the prerogative to strike coins. The Parlement de Paris, however, refused to register this new creation. Another creation in 1676 was no more successful. In 1661, Philippe inherited part of his uncle's colossal wealth, the majority of which went to his younger sister, Hortense
, who was their uncle's favourite.
In 1668, Philippe helped Hortense
escape her abusive husband by procuring horses and an escort to help her travel to Rome, where she took refuge with their sister, Marie
, now the Princess Colonna.
He was a knight of the Order of the Holy Spirit
.
, the niece of Louis XIV's mistress, Madame de Montespan. They had six children, including:
Louis XIV of France
Louis XIV , known as Louis the Great or the Sun King , was a Bourbon monarch who ruled as King of France and Navarre. His reign, from 1643 to his death in 1715, began at the age of four and lasted seventy-two years, three months, and eighteen days...
as the Mazarinettes
Mazarinettes
The Mazarinettes were the seven nieces of Cardinal Jules Mazarin, the Chief Minister of France during the youth of King Louis XIV. He brought them, together with three of his nephews, from Italy to France in the years 1647 and 1653. Afterwards, he arranged advantageous marriages for them to...
.
Family
Philippe was born in Rome in 1641. He was the son of Baron Lorenzo ManciniMancini family
Mancini was one of the oldest families of Roman nobility. Their titles and fiefs were numerous: Duke of Nevers and Donzy, Prince of Vergagne and of the Holy Roman Empire with the treatment of Serene Highness, French Peer, Spanish Grandee, Marquis of Fusignano, Count of Montefortino, Viscount of...
, an Italian aristocrat who was also a necromancer
Necromancy
Necromancy is a claimed form of magic that involves communication with the deceased, either by summoning their spirit in the form of an apparition or raising them bodily, for the purpose of divination, imparting the ability to foretell future events or discover hidden knowledge...
and astrologer
Astrology
Astrology consists of a number of belief systems which hold that there is a relationship between astronomical phenomena and events in the human world...
. After his father's death in 1650, his mother, Geronima
Girolama Mazzarini
Girolama or Geronima Mazzarini was the sister of Cardinal Mazarin, the chief minister of France at the start of the reign of King Louis XIV of France...
, brought her family from Rome to Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
in the hope of using the influence of her brother, Cardinal Mazarin, to gain them advantageous marriages. Philippe's five famous sisters were:
- LaureLaura ManciniLaura Mancini, duchess of Mercœur and Vendôme was a niece of Cardinal Mazarin. She was the eldest of the five famous Mancini sisters, who along with two of their female Martinozzi cousins, were known at the court of King Louis XIV of France as the Mazarinettes...
(1636–1657), who married Louis de Bourbon, duc de Vendôme and became the mother of the famous French general Louis Joseph de Bourbon, duc de Vendôme, - Olympe (1638–1708), who married Eugène-Maurice of Savoy-Carignano and became the mother of the famous Austrian general Prince Eugene of SavoyPrince Eugene of SavoyPrince Eugene of Savoy , was one of the most successful military commanders in modern European history, rising to the highest offices of state at the Imperial court in Vienna. Born in Paris to aristocratic Italian parents, Eugene grew up around the French court of King Louis XIV...
, - MarieMarie ManciniAnna Maria Mancini was the third of the five Mancini sisters; nieces to Cardinal Mazarin who were brought to France to marry advantageously...
(1639–1715), who married Lorenzo Colonna and was the first romantic love of King Louis XIV of FranceLouis XIV of FranceLouis XIV , known as Louis the Great or the Sun King , was a Bourbon monarch who ruled as King of France and Navarre. His reign, from 1643 to his death in 1715, began at the age of four and lasted seventy-two years, three months, and eighteen days...
, - HortenseHortense ManciniHortense Mancini, duchesse Mazarin , was the favourite niece of Cardinal Mazarin, chief minister of France, and a mistress of Charles II, King of England, Scotland and Ireland...
(1646–1699), the beauty of the family, who escaped her abusive husband, Armand-Charles de la Porte, duc de La Meilleraye, and went to London, where she became the mistress of King Charles IICharles II of EnglandCharles II was monarch of the three kingdoms of England, Scotland, and Ireland.Charles II's father, King Charles I, was executed at Whitehall on 30 January 1649, at the climax of the English Civil War...
. - Marie AnneMarie Anne ManciniMarie Anne Mancini, duchesse de Bouillon , was the youngest of the five famous Mancini sisters, who along with two of their female Martinozzi cousins, were known at the court of King Louis XIV of France as the Mazarinettes because their uncle was the king's chief minister, Cardinal...
(1649–1714), who married Maurice Godefroy de la Tour d'Auvergne, duc de Bouillon, a nephew of the famous field marshal TurenneHenri de la Tour d'Auvergne, Vicomte de TurenneHenri de la Tour d'Auvergne, Vicomte de Turenne,often called simply Turenne was the most illustrious member of the La Tour d'Auvergne family. He achieved military fame and became a Marshal of France...
.
Philippe's cousins, the Martinozzis, also moved to France at the same time, for the same goal (to marry well). The elder, Laura
Laura Martinozzi
Laura Martinozzi was a Duchess consort of Modena. On the death of her husband, she became the regent of the Duchy in the name of her son, Francesco.-Biography:...
, married Alfonso IV d'Este
Alfonso IV d'Este
Alfonso IV d'Este was Duke of Modena and Reggio from 1658 until his death. He was the father of Mary of Modena, consort of James II of England.-Biography:...
, duke of Modena and became the mother of Mary of Modena
Mary of Modena
Mary of Modena was Queen consort of England, Scotland and Ireland as the second wife of King James II and VII. A devout Catholic, Mary became, in 1673, the second wife of James, Duke of York, who later succeeded his older brother Charles II as King James II...
, second wife of James II of England
James II of England
James II & VII was King of England and King of Ireland as James II and King of Scotland as James VII, from 6 February 1685. He was the last Catholic monarch to reign over the Kingdoms of England, Scotland, and Ireland...
. The younger, Anne Marie Martinozzi
Anne Marie Martinozzi
Anne Marie Martinozzi, Princess of Conti was a niece of King Louis XIV of France's chief minister Cardinal Mazarin, and the wife of Armand de Bourbon, Prince of Conti. She became the mother of the libertine François Louis, Prince of Conti, le Grand Conti...
, married Armand de Bourbon, prince de Conti
Armand de Bourbon, prince de Conti
Armand de Bourbon, Prince de Conti was a French nobleman, the second son of Henry II, Prince of Condé and brother of Louis II de Bourbon, Prince de Condé and Anne Genevieve, Duchess of Longueville. As a member of the reigning House of Bourbon, he was a Prince du Sang.The title of Prince de Conti...
.
He also had two brothers: Paul and Alphonse.
Early life
Soon after his arrival in France, his uncle, Cardinal Mazarin, decided to use him as a tool to avert future warfare in the kingdom. Upon the death of King Louis XIII in 1643, the older of his two sons succeeded to the throne of France as King Louis XIV. In order to discourage the type of tempestuous relationship that had developed between Louis XIII and his younger brother Gaston, duc d'OrléansGaston, Duke of Orléans
Gaston of France, , also known as Gaston d'Orléans, was the third son of King Henry IV of France and his wife Marie de Medici. As a son of the king, he was born a Fils de France. He later acquired the title Duke of Orléans, by which he was generally known during his adulthood...
, the young king's mother, Anne of Austria
Anne of Austria
Anne of Austria was Queen consort of France and Navarre, regent for her son, Louis XIV of France, and a Spanish Infanta by birth...
, and chief minister, Cardinal Mazarin, decided to protect the future king by making sure that his younger brother, the duc d'Anjou
Philippe I, Duke of Orléans
Philippe of France was the youngest son of Louis XIII of France and his queen consort Anne of Austria. His older brother was the famous Louis XIV, le roi soleil. Styled Duke of Anjou from birth, Philippe became Duke of Orléans upon the death of his uncle Gaston, Duke of Orléans...
, had no part in any political or military office. During his youth, Anjou's behavior was closely watched by dowager queen and her advisor, who made sure that the young duke had no meaningful financial freedom from the Crown. His income was to be derived solely from his appanage
Appanage
An apanage or appanage or is the grant of an estate, titles, offices, or other things of value to the younger male children of a sovereign, who would otherwise have no inheritance under the system of primogeniture...
.
The queen and Mazarin discouraged the duc d'Anjou from traditional manly pursuits such as arms
Armed forces
The armed forces of a country are its government-sponsored defense, fighting forces, and organizations. They exist to further the foreign and domestic policies of their governing body, and to defend that body and the nation it represents from external aggressors. In some countries paramilitary...
and politics, and encouraged him to wear dresses, makeup, and to enjoy feminine behaviour. His inclination toward homosexuality
Homosexuality
Homosexuality is romantic or sexual attraction or behavior between members of the same sex or gender. As a sexual orientation, homosexuality refers to "an enduring pattern of or disposition to experience sexual, affectional, or romantic attractions" primarily or exclusively to people of the same...
was not discouraged, with the hope of reducing any threat he may have posed to his older brother. Reportedly, Cardinal Mazarin even commandeered his nephew, Philippe, to de-flower the king's younger brother..
In 1657, Cardinal Mazarin re-established the Mousquetaires du Roi, a military unit later immortalized by Alexandre Dumas, père
Alexandre Dumas, père
Alexandre Dumas, , born Dumas Davy de la Pailleterie was a French writer, best known for his historical novels of high adventure which have made him one of the most widely read French authors in the world...
in his story of The Three Musketeers
The Three Musketeers
The Three Musketeers is a novel by Alexandre Dumas, first serialized in March–July 1844. Set in the 17th century, it recounts the adventures of a young man named d'Artagnan after he leaves home to travel to Paris, to join the Musketeers of the Guard...
. Philippe was awarded the position of leader of the corps as a captain-lieutenant. In 1661, after the Cardinal's death, jurisdiction over the musketeers passed to Louis XIV. He replaced Philippe in 1667 with Charles de Batz-Castelmore, comte d'Artagnan
Charles de Batz-Castelmore d'Artagnan
Charles Ogier de Batz de Castelmore, Comte d'Artagnan served Louis XIV as captain of the Musketeers of the Guard and died at the Siege of Maastricht in the Franco-Dutch War. A fictionalized account of his life by Gatien de Courtilz de Sandras formed the basis for the d'Artagnan Romances of...
. The comte had been in actual control of the unit since joining in 1658, as Philippe was not interested in war and rarely accompanied the musketeers in battle.
As a young man, Philippe frequented the salon
Salon (gathering)
A salon is a gathering of people under the roof of an inspiring host, held partly to amuse one another and partly to refine taste and increase their knowledge of the participants through conversation. These gatherings often consciously followed Horace's definition of the aims of poetry, "either to...
of Paul Scarron
Paul Scarron
Paul Scarron was a French poet, dramatist, and novelist. His precise birthdate is unknown, but he was baptized on July 4, 1610...
. Scarron's young wife, the future Madame de Maintenon, became friends with Philippe's sister Marie Mancini
Marie Mancini
Anna Maria Mancini was the third of the five Mancini sisters; nieces to Cardinal Mazarin who were brought to France to marry advantageously...
. In 1660, Philippe was nominated to be duc de Nevers and Donzy by his uncle, Cardinal Mazarin, with the prerogative to strike coins. The Parlement de Paris, however, refused to register this new creation. Another creation in 1676 was no more successful. In 1661, Philippe inherited part of his uncle's colossal wealth, the majority of which went to his younger sister, Hortense
Hortense Mancini
Hortense Mancini, duchesse Mazarin , was the favourite niece of Cardinal Mazarin, chief minister of France, and a mistress of Charles II, King of England, Scotland and Ireland...
, who was their uncle's favourite.
In 1668, Philippe helped Hortense
Hortense Mancini
Hortense Mancini, duchesse Mazarin , was the favourite niece of Cardinal Mazarin, chief minister of France, and a mistress of Charles II, King of England, Scotland and Ireland...
escape her abusive husband by procuring horses and an escort to help her travel to Rome, where she took refuge with their sister, Marie
Marie Mancini
Anna Maria Mancini was the third of the five Mancini sisters; nieces to Cardinal Mazarin who were brought to France to marry advantageously...
, now the Princess Colonna.
He was a knight of the Order of the Holy Spirit
Order of the Holy Spirit
The Order of the Holy Spirit, also known as the Order of the Knights of the Holy Spirit, was an Order of Chivalry under the French Monarchy. It should not be confused with the Congregation of the Holy Ghost or with the Order of the Holy Ghost...
.
Marriage and children
In 1670 he married Diane-Gabrielle de Damas de ThiangesGabrielle de Rochechouart de Mortemart
Gabrielle de Rochechouart de Mortemart, Marchioness of Thianges was a French noblewoman. A great beauty and wit, she was the older sister of Françoise de Rochechouart de Mortemart, Madame de Montespan.-Biography:...
, the niece of Louis XIV's mistress, Madame de Montespan. They had six children, including:
- Diane Gabrielle Victoire Mancini (1672–1716), who married Charles Louis Antoine de Hénin-Liénard, prince de Chimay
- Philippe Jules François Mancini (1676–1769), prince de Vergagne et du Saint Empire, then duke of Nevers
- Diane Adélaïde Philippe Mancini (1687–1747), who married Louis-Armand, duc d'Estrées
- Jacques Hippolyte Mancini (1690–1759), who in 1719 married Anne-Louise de Noailles, with their only child being Marie Diane Zéphirine (1726–1755), who married Louis-Héracle de Polignac. They are the ancestors of Albert II of Monaco.