Jacques Henri De Durfort De Duras
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Jacques Henri de Durfort, 1st Duke of Duras (9 October 1625 – 12 October 1704) was
Marshal of France Marshal of France (, plural ') is a French military distinction, rather than a military rank, that is awarded to General officer, generals for exceptional achievements. The title has been awarded since 1185, though briefly abolished (1793–1804) ...
.


Early life

Jacques Henri was the oldest son of Guy Aldonce de Durfort (1605–1665), Marquis of Duras, Count of Rauzan and of Lorges,
maréchal de camp ''Maréchal de camp'' (sometimes incorrectly translated as field marshal) was a general officer rank used by the French Army until 1848. The rank originated from the older rank of sergeant major general ( French: ''sergent-major général'') ...
; and of Élisabeth de La Tour d'Auvergne, sister of
Henri de La Tour d'Auvergne, Viscount of Turenne Henri de La Tour d'Auvergne, vicomte de Turenne (11 September 161127 July 1675), commonly known as Turenne (), was a French general and one of only six Marshal of France, marshals to have been promoted Marshal General of France. The most illus ...
. Just like him and his younger brother, Guy Aldonce de Durfort de Lorges, he converted to Catholicism shortly after his uncle.


Career

His brother, Guy Aldonce de Durfort de Lorges, was also a
Marshal of France Marshal of France (, plural ') is a French military distinction, rather than a military rank, that is awarded to General officer, generals for exceptional achievements. The title has been awarded since 1185, though briefly abolished (1793–1804) ...
. He served first under his uncle, Turenne, and under Condé. He distinguished himself at Mergentheim and Alerheim. In 1651, he followed Condé into rebellion but came back into the service of the king in 1657, with the title of lieutenant-general. He played a major part in the conquest of
Franche-Comté Franche-Comté (, ; ; Frainc-Comtou dialect, Frainc-Comtou: ''Fraintche-Comtè''; ; also ; ; all ) is a cultural and Provinces of France, historical region of eastern France. It is composed of the modern departments of France, departments of Doub ...
and was named by
Louis XIV LouisXIV (Louis-Dieudonné; 5 September 16381 September 1715), also known as Louis the Great () or the Sun King (), was King of France from 1643 until his death in 1715. His verified reign of 72 years and 110 days is the List of longest-reign ...
governor of that province and marshal in 1675. In 1689, he took part in the destruction of the Palatinate during the
War of the Grand Alliance The Nine Years' War was a European great power conflict from 1688 to 1697 between Kingdom of France, France and the Grand Alliance (League of Augsburg), Grand Alliance. Although largely concentrated in Europe, fighting spread to colonial poss ...
. The Duc de Saint-Simon, who married his niece, speaks highly of him in his memoirs and notes that he was in such favour with
Louis XIV LouisXIV (Louis-Dieudonné; 5 September 16381 September 1715), also known as Louis the Great () or the Sun King (), was King of France from 1643 until his death in 1715. His verified reign of 72 years and 110 days is the List of longest-reign ...
that he "could more or less say what he pleased".Norton, Lucy (ed.) Duc de Saint-Simon " Memoirs " Prion Books London 1999 Vol.1 p.126


Personal

The Duke married Marguerite Félice de Lévis, daughter of Charles de Lévis, Duke of Ventadour and Marie de La Guiche. His wife was the sister-in-law of Charlotte de La Mothe Houdancourt, and aunt of the Duchess of Rohan-Rohan. Together, they were the parents of at least four children, including: * Jacques Henri II of Durfort, 2nd Duke of Duras (1670–1697); * Felice Armande de Durfort (1672–1730), married Paul Jules de La Porte, Duke Mazarin, son of Armand Charles de La Porte de La Meilleraye and Hortense Mancini; * Louise Bernardine de Durfort (1675–1703), married Jean-François Paul de Blanchefort-Créquy (1678–1703), 5th Duke of Lesdiguières, Comte de Sault, Pair de France; * Jean-Baptiste de Durfort, 3rd Duke of Duras (1684–1770), Marshal of France.


References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Durfort De Duras, Jacques Henri 1625 births 1704 deaths 1 Marshals of France Converts to Roman Catholicism from Calvinism French military personnel of the Nine Years' War French military personnel of the Franco-Dutch War House of Durfort