François de Neufville, duc de Villeroi

François de Neufville, duc de Villeroi (April 7, 1644 - July 18, 1730), French soldier, came of a noble family which had risen into prominence in the reign of Charles IX.

Related Topics:
April 7 - 1644 - July 18 - 1730 - French - Charles IX

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His father Nicolas de Neufville, Marquis de Villeroi, Marshal of France (1598-1685), created a duke by Louis XIV, was the young king's governor, and the boy was thus brought up in close relations with Louis. An intimate of the king, a finished courtier and leader of society and a man of great personal gallantry, Villeroi was marked out for advancement in the army, which he loved, but where career soldiers had always a juster appreciation of his incapacity than Louis. In 1693, without having exercised any really important and responsible command, he was made a marshal. In 1695, when Luxembourg died, he obtained the command of the army in Flanders (see War of the Grand Alliance), and William III found him a far more complaisant opponent than the "little hunchback." Villeroi is responsible for the (senseless) bombing of Brussels in 1695, and thus, in a certain sense, for the reconstruction of the Grand Place as it is today.

Related Topics:
Marshal of France - Louis XIV - Luxembourg - Flanders - War of the Grand Alliance - William III - Grand Place

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In 1701 he was sent to Italy to supersede Nicolas Catinat and was soon beaten by the inferior army of Eugene of Savoy at Chieri (see War of Spanish Succession). In the winter of 1701 he was made prisoner at the surprise of Cremona, and the wits of the army made at his expense the famous rhyme:

Related Topics:
1701 - Italy - Nicolas Catinat - Eugene of Savoy - Chieri - War of Spanish Succession - Cremona

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"Par la faveur de Bellone,

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et par un bonheur sans égal,

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Nous avons conservé Crémone

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