Prince of Sedan
Encyclopedia
The Prince of Sedan was the ruler of the independent Principality of Sedan (Fr.: Principauté de Sedan), a Renaissance
state centered on modern Sedan, Ardennes.
(1364–1440) (son of Eberhard I von der Mark and grandson of Engelbert II, Count of the Mark, ruler of the County of Mark) began construction of the Château de Sedan
in the vicinity of the Benedictine Abbey of Mouzon
. Erard II von der Mark was the first ruler to style himself Lord of Sedan (Fr.: seigneur de Sedan). In the following years, the town of Sedan grew up in the area between the Château de Sedan and the Meuse.
In the wake of the Protestant Reformation
, Henri Robert de la Marck (de la Marck
) and his wife Françoise de Bourbon-Vendôme were attracted to the Huguenot
movement. In 1560, they declared Sedan's independence from the Kingdom of France
. Particularly in the wake of the 1562 Massacre of Vassy, Sedan became one of the leading refuges for French speaking Protestants. The Academy of Sedan
, founded in 1579, became one of the chief Huguenot academies.
With the death of Guillaume Robert de la Marck in 1588, the principality passed to his daughter, Charlotte de La Marck
. In 1591, she married Henri de La Tour d'Auvergne, who thereupon assumed her titles, becoming Prince of Sedan and Duke of Bouillon. As such, the principality passed from the House of La Marck to the House of La Tour d'Auvergne. Charlotte died childless in 1594, and the principality was ultimately inherited by Henri de La Tour d'Auvergne's son by his second marriage.
Henri de La Tour d'Auvergne was accused of participating in the 1602 plot to assassinate Henry IV of France
led by Charles de Gontaut, duc de Biron
and the 1604 intrigues involving Henry IV's former mistress, Catherine Henriette de Balzac d'Entragues
. In 1604, Henry IV declared Henri de La Tour d'Auvergne's lands forfeit to the crown of France and led an expedition to Sedan in 1606. He also participated in a 1613 noble revolt against the king. Henri de La Tour d'Auvergne's son, Frédéric Maurice de La Tour d'Auvergne, shared his father's antipathy to royal power. In 1630, he participated in a revolt led by Gaston, Duke of Orléans
.
Sedan finally lost its independence during the Thirty Years' War
. In spite of a victory over French royal forces at the Battle of La Marfée
, held July 6, 1641, it soon became obvious that Sedan could no longer resist the forces of Louis XIII of France
. In 1642, Frédéric Maurice de La Tour d'Auvergne participated in the failed conspiracy led by Henri Coiffier de Ruzé, Marquis of Cinq-Mars
; in the wake of Cinq-Mars' execution, Frédéric Maurice de La Tour d'Auvergne struck a deal with Louis XIII, who agreed to spare his life and give him a commission in the French army in Italy in exchange for the relinquishment of Sedan's sovereignty. Sedan was thus annexed to the French crown in 1642. Frédéric Maurice de La Tour d'Auvergne's younger brother, Henri de la Tour d'Auvergne, Vicomte de Turenne
would go on to achieve fame as France's leading general. In 1709, at the request of Lord Chancellor of France Henri François d'Aguesseau
, the Parlement of Paris passed a decree reaffirming the French crown's sovereignty over Sedan.
, Givonne
, Douzy
, Pouru-Saint-Remy
, Rubécourt-et-Lamécourt
, Balan
, Fleigneux
, Bazeilles
, La Chapelle
, La Moncelle
, Villers-Cernay
, Raucourt-et-Flaba
, Noyers-Pont-Maugis
, Wadelincourt, Haraucourt
, Thelonne
, Bulson
, and Angecourt
.
The Princes of Sedan founded the Academy of Sedan
for the training of Protestant pastors.
The Protestant Princes of Sedan were buried in the Protestant church in Sedan. Burials in the church include:
Renaissance
The Renaissance was a cultural movement that spanned roughly the 14th to the 17th century, beginning in Italy in the Late Middle Ages and later spreading to the rest of Europe. The term is also used more loosely to refer to the historical era, but since the changes of the Renaissance were not...
state centered on modern Sedan, Ardennes.
History
The history of Sedan begins in 1424, when Eberhard II von der MarkEberhard II von der Mark
Eberhard II von der Mark was Lord of Arenberg and began styling himself Lord of Sedan in 1424.-Biography:...
(1364–1440) (son of Eberhard I von der Mark and grandson of Engelbert II, Count of the Mark, ruler of the County of Mark) began construction of the Château de Sedan
Château de Sedan
The Château de Sedan is a castle situated in Sedan, France, on a headland on the border of Meuse, flanked by the rivers Bièvre and Vra, in the Ardennes département of France...
in the vicinity of the Benedictine Abbey of Mouzon
Mouzon, Ardennes
Mouzon is a commune in the Ardennes department in northern France.-Population:...
. Erard II von der Mark was the first ruler to style himself Lord of Sedan (Fr.: seigneur de Sedan). In the following years, the town of Sedan grew up in the area between the Château de Sedan and the Meuse.
In the wake of the Protestant Reformation
Protestant Reformation
The Protestant Reformation was a 16th-century split within Western Christianity initiated by Martin Luther, John Calvin and other early Protestants. The efforts of the self-described "reformers", who objected to the doctrines, rituals and ecclesiastical structure of the Roman Catholic Church, led...
, Henri Robert de la Marck (de la Marck
De la Marck
The House of La Marck, , original German name von der Mark, was an important family in the history of Europe, which from about 1200 appeared as the Counts of Mark.-History:...
) and his wife Françoise de Bourbon-Vendôme were attracted to the Huguenot
Huguenot
The Huguenots were members of the Protestant Reformed Church of France during the 16th and 17th centuries. Since the 17th century, people who formerly would have been called Huguenots have instead simply been called French Protestants, a title suggested by their German co-religionists, the...
movement. In 1560, they declared Sedan's independence from the Kingdom of France
Kingdom of France
The Kingdom of France was one of the most powerful states to exist in Europe during the second millennium.It originated from the Western portion of the Frankish empire, and consolidated significant power and influence over the next thousand years. Louis XIV, also known as the Sun King, developed a...
. Particularly in the wake of the 1562 Massacre of Vassy, Sedan became one of the leading refuges for French speaking Protestants. The Academy of Sedan
Academy of Sedan
The Academy of Sedan was a Huguenot academy in Sedan, founded in 1579 and suppressed in 1681. It was one of the main centres for the production of Reformed pastors in France for a hundred years.-History:...
, founded in 1579, became one of the chief Huguenot academies.
With the death of Guillaume Robert de la Marck in 1588, the principality passed to his daughter, Charlotte de La Marck
Charlotte de La Marck
Charlotte de La Marck was a member of the House of La Marck and Duchess of Bouillon in her own right. She married into the House of La Tour d'Auvergne but died without issue.-Biography:...
. In 1591, she married Henri de La Tour d'Auvergne, who thereupon assumed her titles, becoming Prince of Sedan and Duke of Bouillon. As such, the principality passed from the House of La Marck to the House of La Tour d'Auvergne. Charlotte died childless in 1594, and the principality was ultimately inherited by Henri de La Tour d'Auvergne's son by his second marriage.
Henri de La Tour d'Auvergne was accused of participating in the 1602 plot to assassinate Henry IV of France
Henry IV of France
Henry IV , Henri-Quatre, was King of France from 1589 to 1610 and King of Navarre from 1572 to 1610. He was the first monarch of the Bourbon branch of the Capetian dynasty in France....
led by Charles de Gontaut, duc de Biron
Charles de Gontaut, duc de Biron
Charles de Gontaut, duc de Biron was a French soldier.-Biography:He was the son of Armand de Gontaut, baron de Biron, under whose command he fought for the royal party against the Catholic League in the later stages of the Wars of Religion in France. His efforts won him the name “Thunderbolt of...
and the 1604 intrigues involving Henry IV's former mistress, Catherine Henriette de Balzac d'Entragues
Catherine Henriette de Balzac d'Entragues
Catherine Henriette de Balzac d'Entragues, Marquise de Verneuil was the favourite mistress of Henry IV of France after Gabrielle d'Estrées died...
. In 1604, Henry IV declared Henri de La Tour d'Auvergne's lands forfeit to the crown of France and led an expedition to Sedan in 1606. He also participated in a 1613 noble revolt against the king. Henri de La Tour d'Auvergne's son, Frédéric Maurice de La Tour d'Auvergne, shared his father's antipathy to royal power. In 1630, he participated in a revolt led by Gaston, Duke of Orléans
Gaston, 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...
.
Sedan finally lost its independence during the Thirty Years' War
Thirty Years' War
The Thirty Years' War was fought primarily in what is now Germany, and at various points involved most countries in Europe. It was one of the most destructive conflicts in European history....
. In spite of a victory over French royal forces at the Battle of La Marfée
Battle of La Marfée
The Battle of La Marfée was a battle of the Thirty Years' War near Sedan, France on 6 July 1641, between the troops of Louis XIII under Marshall Gaspard III de Coligny and those of the Holy Roman Empire under Prince Louis de Bourbon, the Count of Soissons and Dreux & Duke Frédéric Maurice de La...
, held July 6, 1641, it soon became obvious that Sedan could no longer resist the forces of Louis XIII of France
Louis XIII of France
Louis XIII was a Bourbon monarch who ruled as King of France and of Navarre from 1610 to 1643.Louis was only eight years old when he succeeded his father. His mother, Marie de Medici, acted as regent during Louis' minority...
. In 1642, Frédéric Maurice de La Tour d'Auvergne participated in the failed conspiracy led by Henri Coiffier de Ruzé, Marquis of Cinq-Mars
Henri Coiffier de Ruzé, Marquis of Cinq-Mars
Henri Coiffier de Ruzé, Marquis de Cinq-Mars was a favourite of King Louis XIII of France who led the last and most nearly successful of the many conspiracies against the king's powerful first minister, the Cardinal Richelieu....
; in the wake of Cinq-Mars' execution, Frédéric Maurice de La Tour d'Auvergne struck a deal with Louis XIII, who agreed to spare his life and give him a commission in the French army in Italy in exchange for the relinquishment of Sedan's sovereignty. Sedan was thus annexed to the French crown in 1642. Frédéric Maurice de La Tour d'Auvergne's younger brother, Henri de la Tour d'Auvergne, Vicomte de Turenne
Henri de la Tour d'Auvergne, Vicomte de Turenne
Henri 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...
would go on to achieve fame as France's leading general. In 1709, at the request of Lord Chancellor of France Henri François d'Aguesseau
Henri François d'Aguesseau
Henri François d'Aguesseau was Chancellor of France three times between 1717 and 1750.-Biography:He was born at Limoges, France, in a family of magistrates...
, the Parlement of Paris passed a decree reaffirming the French crown's sovereignty over Sedan.
Geography
The following villages were located in the Principality of Sedan: IllyIlly, Ardennes
Illy is a commune in the Ardennes department in northern France.-Population:...
, Givonne
Givonne
Givonne is a commune in the Ardennes department in northern France.-Population:...
, Douzy
Douzy
Douzy is a commune in the Ardennes department in northern France.-Population:...
, Pouru-Saint-Remy
Pouru-Saint-Remy
Pouru-Saint-Remy is a commune in the Ardennes department in northern France.-Population:-References:*...
, Rubécourt-et-Lamécourt
Rubécourt-et-Lamécourt
Rubécourt-et-Lamécourt is a commune in the Ardennes department in northern France.-Population:-References:*...
, Balan
Balan, Ardennes
Balan is a commune in the Ardennes department in northern France.-Population:...
, Fleigneux
Fleigneux
Fleigneux is a commune in the Ardennes department in northern France.-Population:...
, Bazeilles
Bazeilles
Bazeilles is a commune in the Ardennes department in northern France.It lies near Sedan.-History:During the 1870 Franco-Prussian war, Bazeilles was the site of the Battle of Bazeilles, one of the first occasions of modern urban warfare.-Population:...
, La Chapelle
La Chapelle, Ardennes
La Chapelle is a commune in the Ardennes department in northern France.-Population:-References:*...
, La Moncelle
La Moncelle
La Moncelle is a commune in the Ardennes department in northern France.-Population:-References:*...
, Villers-Cernay
Villers-Cernay
Villers-Cernay is a commune in the Ardennes department in northern France.-Population:-References:*...
, Raucourt-et-Flaba
Raucourt-et-Flaba
Raucourt-et-Flaba is a commune in the Ardennes department in northern France.-Population:-References:*...
, Noyers-Pont-Maugis
Noyers-Pont-Maugis
Noyers-Pont-Maugis is a commune in the Ardennes department in northern France.-Population:-References:*...
, Wadelincourt, Haraucourt
Haraucourt, Ardennes
Haraucourt is a commune in the Ardennes department in northern France.-Population:...
, Thelonne
Thelonne
Thelonne is a commune in the Ardennes department in northern France.-Population:...
, Bulson
Bulson
Bulson is a commune in the Ardennes department in northern France.-Population:...
, and Angecourt
Angecourt
Angecourt is a commune in the Ardennes department in France.-Population:...
.
List of Lords of Sedan, 1424—1560
| From | To | Lord of Sedan | Other titles Held |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1424 | 1440 | Eberhard II von der Mark Eberhard II von der Mark Eberhard II von der Mark was Lord of Arenberg and began styling himself Lord of Sedan in 1424.-Biography:... |
Lord of Arenberg |
| 1440 | Johann II von der Mark | Lord of Arenberg | |
| 1487 | Robert I de la Marck | Châtelain Châtelain Châtelain was originally merely the French equivalent of the English castellan, i.e. the commander of a castle.... of Bouillon Duke of Bouillon The Duke of Bouillon is a title of nobility. Until the nineteenth century, the Duke of Bouillon was the ruler of the semi-sovereign Duchy of Bouillon , a small state located between Luxembourg, Champagne, and the Three Bishoprics and centered on Bouillon.- History of the Duchy of Bouillon :The... |
|
| 1487 | 1536 | Robert II de la Marck | Duke of Bouillon Duke of Bouillon The Duke of Bouillon is a title of nobility. Until the nineteenth century, the Duke of Bouillon was the ruler of the semi-sovereign Duchy of Bouillon , a small state located between Luxembourg, Champagne, and the Three Bishoprics and centered on Bouillon.- History of the Duchy of Bouillon :The... |
| 1536 | 1537 | Robert Fleuranges III de La Marck Robert Fleuranges III de la Marck Robert III de La Marck , Seigneur of Fleuranges, Marshal of France and historian, was the son of Robert II de La Marck; Duke of Bouillon, Seigneur of Sedan and Fleuranges, whose uncle was the celebrated William de La Marck, The Wild Boar of the Ardennes... |
Duke of Bouillon Duke of Bouillon The Duke of Bouillon is a title of nobility. Until the nineteenth century, the Duke of Bouillon was the ruler of the semi-sovereign Duchy of Bouillon , a small state located between Luxembourg, Champagne, and the Three Bishoprics and centered on Bouillon.- History of the Duchy of Bouillon :The... |
| 1537 | 1556 | Robert IV de la Marck | Duke of Bouillon Duke of Bouillon The Duke of Bouillon is a title of nobility. Until the nineteenth century, the Duke of Bouillon was the ruler of the semi-sovereign Duchy of Bouillon , a small state located between Luxembourg, Champagne, and the Three Bishoprics and centered on Bouillon.- History of the Duchy of Bouillon :The... , Earl of Braine & Maulevrier |
| 1556 | 1560 | Henri Robert de la Marck | Duke of Bouillon Duke of Bouillon The Duke of Bouillon is a title of nobility. Until the nineteenth century, the Duke of Bouillon was the ruler of the semi-sovereign Duchy of Bouillon , a small state located between Luxembourg, Champagne, and the Three Bishoprics and centered on Bouillon.- History of the Duchy of Bouillon :The... |
List of Princes of Sedan, 1560—1642
| From | To | Prince of Sedan | Other titles Held |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1560 | 1574 | Henri Robert de la Marck | Duke of Bouillon Duke of Bouillon The Duke of Bouillon is a title of nobility. Until the nineteenth century, the Duke of Bouillon was the ruler of the semi-sovereign Duchy of Bouillon , a small state located between Luxembourg, Champagne, and the Three Bishoprics and centered on Bouillon.- History of the Duchy of Bouillon :The... |
| 1574 | 1588 | Guillaume Robert de la Marck | Duke of Bouillon Duke of Bouillon The Duke of Bouillon is a title of nobility. Until the nineteenth century, the Duke of Bouillon was the ruler of the semi-sovereign Duchy of Bouillon , a small state located between Luxembourg, Champagne, and the Three Bishoprics and centered on Bouillon.- History of the Duchy of Bouillon :The... , Marquess of Cotron |
| 1588 | 1591 | Charlotte de La Marck Charlotte de La Marck Charlotte de La Marck was a member of the House of La Marck and Duchess of Bouillon in her own right. She married into the House of La Tour d'Auvergne but died without issue.-Biography:... |
Duchess of Bouillon Duchess of Bouillon -Ardennes-Bouillon dynasty, ?-1100:-House of La Marck, ?-1588 :-House of La Tour d'Auvergne, 1594-1794 :-House of La Tour d'Auvergne, 1794-1802 :-House of Rohan, since 1816 :... |
| 1591 | 1623 | Henri de La Tour d'Auvergne | Duke of Bouillon Duke of Bouillon The Duke of Bouillon is a title of nobility. Until the nineteenth century, the Duke of Bouillon was the ruler of the semi-sovereign Duchy of Bouillon , a small state located between Luxembourg, Champagne, and the Three Bishoprics and centered on Bouillon.- History of the Duchy of Bouillon :The... , Count of Montfort, Count of Nègrepelisse, Viscount of Turenne, Viscount of Castillon, Viscount of Lanquais |
| 1623 | 1642 | Frédéric Maurice de La Tour d'Auvergne | Duke of Bouillon Duke of Bouillon The Duke of Bouillon is a title of nobility. Until the nineteenth century, the Duke of Bouillon was the ruler of the semi-sovereign Duchy of Bouillon , a small state located between Luxembourg, Champagne, and the Three Bishoprics and centered on Bouillon.- History of the Duchy of Bouillon :The... |
A Protestant Principality
Protestant Pastors of Sedan
- Guido de BresGuido de BresGuido de Bres was a Walloon pastor and theologian, a student of John Calvin and Theodore Beza in Geneva. He was born in Mons, County of Hainaut, Southern Netherlands, and martyred at Valenciennes, aged 45...
, 1562 - Pierre Du MoulinPierre Du MoulinPierre Du Moulin was a Huguenot minister in France who also resided in England for some years.-Life:Born in Buhy in 1568, he was the son of Joachim Du Moulin, a Protestant minister in the Orleans area...
, 1621–58 - Pierre JurieuPierre JurieuPierre Jurieu was a French Protestant leader.-Life:He was born at Mer, in Orléanais, where his father was a Protestant pastor. He studied at the Academy of Saumur and the Academy of Sedan under his grandfather, Pierre Du Moulin, and under Leblanc de Beaulieu...
, 1675–81
The Princes of Sedan founded the Academy of Sedan
Academy of Sedan
The Academy of Sedan was a Huguenot academy in Sedan, founded in 1579 and suppressed in 1681. It was one of the main centres for the production of Reformed pastors in France for a hundred years.-History:...
for the training of Protestant pastors.
Protestant Refugees in the Principality of Sedan
- Nicasius le FebureNicasius le FebureNicasius le Febure, a.k.a. Nicolas le Febure or Nicasius le Fevre or Nicolas le Fèvre , was a French chemist and alchemist who was appointed to positions by both French and English royalty.-Life and work:...
- Philippe de MornayPhilippe de MornayPhilippe de Mornay , seigneur du Plessis Marly, usually known as Du-Plessis-Mornay or Mornay Du Plessis, was a French Protestant writer and member of the Monarchomaques .- Biography :...
- Anne d'Alègre and her son Guy XX de LavalGuy XX de LavalGuy XX de Laval, François de Coligny was the Count of Laval and Baron of Quintin. He was son of Guy XIX de Laval and Anne d'Algère.In 1588, Anne d'Algère took him to Sedan so that he could be raised as a Protestant...
- Elisabeth de Hauteville, wife of Odet de ColignyOdet de ColignyOdet de Coligny was a French cardinal of Châtillon, bishop of Beauvais, son of Gaspard I de Coligny and Louise de Montmorency, and brother of Gaspard and François, Seigneur d'Andelot.-Birth:...
- the daughters of Maximilien de Béthune, Duke of Sully
- Jean Errard
- Pierre PithouPierre PithouPierre Pithou was a French lawyer and scholar. He is also known as Petrus Pithoeus.He was born at Troyes. From childhood he loved literature, and his father Pierre encouraged this interest. Young Pithou was called to the Paris bar in 1560...
- Louis, Count of Soissons
- Frederick V, Elector PalatineFrederick V, Elector PalatineFrederick V was Elector Palatine , and, as Frederick I , King of Bohemia ....
Famous burials
- Henri de La Tour d'Auvergne (1623)
- Louis Hanau (1627) son of Countess Catharina Belgica of Nassau
- Julienne Catherine de la Tour d'Auvergne (1637)
- Countess Elisabeth of Nassau (1642)
- John Philip Frederick of the Palatinate (1650), son of Frederick V, Elector PalatineFrederick V, Elector PalatineFrederick V was Elector Palatine , and, as Frederick I , King of Bohemia ....
- Henri de Roye de La Rochefoucauld (1656), vidameVidameVidame, a French corruption of the official Latin term vicedominus , was a feudal title in France...
of Laon, son of Julienne Catherine de la Tour d'Auvergne - Guy de Roye de La Rochefoucauld (1684), vidameVidameVidame, a French corruption of the official Latin term vicedominus , was a feudal title in France...
of Laon, younger son of Julienne Catherine de la Tour